AI & Croissants - chat over Croissant and Coffee
From Founding to Exit: An AI Startup Journey in Vienna
What does it take to build, grow and successfully exit an AI startup in Vienna?
As part of Discover Vienna and Future Forward, AI & Croissants offers international AI startups the opportunity to learn from first-hand entrepreneurial experience in Vienna.
Over coffee and croissants, founder and entrepreneur David R. Prasser shares his personal startup journey and the lessons he learned along the way. He founded StartUs Insights in Vienna in 2016 and developed the company into an international business and innovation intelligence platform with more than 50 employees and over 1,500 international customers. In 2026, US-based AI company Sprouts.ai acquired StartUs Insights’ search and data technology as well as its AI IP.
In an informal founder talk, David R. Prasser will share insights into the different stages of building an AI company in Vienna, from the early days and finding the right business model to growing internationally and eventually achieving an exit.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss their own experiences and connect over coffee and croissants.
10:00
Welcome & Coffee
Arrival, coffee, croissants and a short introduction to the session.
10:10
Founder Story: From Vienna to Exit
David R. Prasser shares the story of building StartUs Insights in Vienna
10:40 12:00
Q&A and informal exchange
Informal exchange and networking over coffee and croissants
Expert
By attending the event, you consent to the use and publication of photographs taken during the event to depict the activities of the Vienna Business Agency on its website, its social media channels and in print media.
The Smart Founders project is co-financed by the IBW/EFRE & JTF programme.
Contact
Questions about the event? Please contact us.
