By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 12: A delegation of Indian startups, including eight from Meghalaya, is making waves at Vienna UP 2025, one of Europe’s most diverse and forward-thinking startup festivals.
The Indian startups during the event to be held from May 8 to 6 have been actively involved in curated sessions spread across Vienna’s key business and innovation centres, gaining first-hand exposure to Austria’s thriving startup ecosystem.
A standout highlight of the delegation’s presence has been the enthusiastic response to indigenous products from Meghalaya, such as handcrafted textiles and traditional beverages, which have drawn the attention of European stakeholders interested in ethical, handmade, and culturally rooted products.
Iaishah Rymbai, founder of EriWeave, expressed excitement after a strong initial interest in her eri silk garments. “It’s not official yet, but I’m very excited about the opportunity. I’ve already had customers from Hungary, and this could open the door to a wider European market,” she said.
“One of the buyers told me I was underselling my work — that I could earn a hundred times more here because of the high value placed on handmade garments,” she added.
Keenan K Marak, founder of 7 United Rice Beer from the Garo Hills, brought samples of his traditional rice brew to the Vienna UP Startup Festival, where it was warmly received.
“This isn’t just a beverage, it’s a piece of our culture. People here have a refined palate for wine and craft drinks, yet they were amazed by the unique taste of our rice beer, saying it was unlike anything they’ve ever had before,” he said.
The experience not only highlighted the rich heritage of Northeast India but also strengthened Marak’s commitment to bringing his community’s age-old brewing traditions to a global stage, one can at a time.
Gerald Duia, founder of Duia Trailblazers, reflected on the power of cross-sectoral networking. “So far, it’s been an eye-opening experience. I’ve met people from tech, art, design, and many other sectors. I never imagined that tourism could be linked to so many industries. I’m looking forward to applying what I’ve learned and building future collaborations,” he said.
Khrawborbha Kharpuri, founder of The Chicken Wagon, noted key learnings from Vienna’s food industry. “One major takeaway is how many food trucks here are rented rather than owned, which significantly reduces startup costs. I’m grateful to the Meghalaya government for this opportunity.
I plan to go back and share these insights with my young team, so we can improve our service and expand our brand,” he said.
Saloni Verma, a senior Meghalaya government officer, termed the event as one of the most vibrant startup festivals. Organised by the Vienna Business Agency, it brings together more than 90 startups.
“The point is to create networking, elevation, and opportunities for our startups, connecting with the best on the scene; it is also an exposure that can ignite a spark in them, which is in line with our Chief Minister’s vision,” she said.
She said Meghalaya startups can learn a lot from this festival. “Meghalaya offers many opportunities and some challenges as well. What we can learn from here is how to be broad-minded,” she added.
“We should push forward things that are unique to us, like diversity, our unique handcrafts, spices or cuisine, and culture. It is a mix of both retaining our strength and looking forward to Austria in terms of scale and technology. These are the things we can learn,” Verma said.
Ajay Singh, Head of Technology and Innovation at the Austrian Embassy, expressed his contentment over how the entire exercise has unfolded.
“We want everybody from India, including Meghalaya, to connect, get funding, mentorship, support, and represent your state and your unique cultural and technological values and solutions to this festival. We want India to cater to the European market via Austria,” he said.
He further said that entrepreneurs in Meghalaya should reach out to PRIME and keep an eye on the Government of Meghalaya’s initiatives.
The Indian delegation’s presence at Vienna UP 2025 is a testament to the increasing emphasis on global partnerships and cross-border entrepreneurship. With Austria’s focus on green innovation, inclusive growth, and startup-friendly policies, the event serves as a launchpad for Indian entrepreneurs seeking global reach.