the
venture
mindset
Where corporate venturing meets elite leadership
13-15 January 2026
Austrian Federal Economic Chamber
Register Here
About
About
About Event
About Event
The Venture Mindset 2026 is a unique gathering in Vienna that brings together global leaders from corporate venturing, innovation, entrepreneurship and academia.
Over three days, gain fresh perspectives on leadership, resilience and growth, connect with decision-makers from around the world and be part of a community shaping the future of business and innovation.
With a mix of inspiration, practical insights and high-value networking, it’s an opportunity to set the course for 2026 and beyond.
The Venture Mindset 2026 is a unique gathering in Vienna that brings together global leaders from corporate venturing, innovation, entrepreneurship and academia.
Over three days, gain fresh perspectives on leadership, resilience and growth, connect with decision-makers from around the world and be part of a community shaping the future of business and innovation.
With a mix of inspiration, practical insights and high-value networking, it’s an opportunity to set the course for 2026 and beyond.
Join Event
Join Event
In 2025, The Venture Mindset welcomed 200 leaders from venture and innovation, with The Venture Mindset authors Ilya Strebulaev and Alex Dang joining to meet participants and personally sign copies of
their book.
Our 2025 edition gathered 200 leaders from venture & innovation with authors of The Venture Mindset, Ilya Strebulaev and Alex Dang joining to personally sign copies for participants.
Speakers
Our Headline Speakers
CVC Investors managing over €10bn of capital; global pioneers in corporate venturing, innovation, and entrepreneurship share their insights and experiences at The Venture Mindset 2026.
Nicolas Sauvage
President at TDK Ventures
Mirella Lisboa
Head of Open Innovation
& Digital Solutions at
BASF Agricultural
Solutions LATAM
Marc van den Berg
Managing Director at
OGCI Climate Investments
Aleks Petkov-Georgieva
Head of Organizational Development and Change Management at Raiffeisen Bank International
Michael Claes
Director at SABIC Ventures
Lukasz Garbowski
Chief Investment Officer & Co-Founder at Btomorrow Ventures |
Josemaria Siota
|
Dr. Ina Nordsiek
|
Kyle Petersen
Corporate Development
Manager at Oshkosh
Corporation
Beatriz Camacho Ávila
Associate Director at IESE’s
Entrepreneurship and
Innovation Center
Vinay Solanki
|
Marco Masia
|
Workshop Facilitators
Workshop Facilitators
Our Workshop Facilitators
Our Workshop Facilitators
Former Special Forces leaders, polar explorers, and specialists in corporate responsibility, governance, venture building, and organisational reinvention deliver immersive workshops at The Venture Mindset 2026.
Ann Daniels
A record breaking polar explorer
Rob Colley
Founder of Thrival Instinct
Floyd Woodrow MBE DCM
CEO of Super North Star and Author of The Warrior, the Strategist and You
Patrycja Buxton
Affiliated Researcher at the University of Stavanger
Leart Zogjani
Founder at Skins Agency
Andrew Wrobel
Chief Reinvention Officer at Reinvantage
Ann Daniels
A record breaking polar explorer
Rob Colley
Founder of Thrival Instinct
Floyd Woodrow MBE DCM
CEO of Super North Star and Author of The Warrior, the Strategist and You
Patrycja Buxton
Affiliated Researcher at the University of Stavanger
Leart Zogjani
Founder at Skins Agency
Andrew Wrobel
Chief Reinvention Officer at Reinvantage
Ann Daniels
A record breaking polar explorer
Rob Colley
Founder of Thrival Instinct
Floyd Woodrow MBE DCM
CEO of Super North Star and Author of The Warrior, the Strategist and You
Patrycja Buxton
Affiliated Researcher at the University of Stavanger
Leart Zogjani
Founder at Skins Agency
Andrew Wrobel
Chief Reinvention Officer at Reinvantage
Ann Daniels
A record breaking polar explorer
Rob Colley
Founder of Thrival Instinct
Floyd Woodrow MBE DCM
CEO of Super North Star and Author of The Warrior, the Strategist and You
Patrycja Buxton
Affiliated Researcher at the University of Stavanger
Leart Zogjani
Founder at Skins Agency
Andrew Wrobel
Chief Reinvention Officer at Reinvantage
Rob Colley DSC
Founder of Thrival Instinct
Ann Daniels
A record breaking polar explorer
Leart Zogjani
Founder at Skins Agency
Floyd Woodrow MBE DCM
CEO of Super North Star and Author of The Warrior, the Strategist and You
Patrycja Buxton
Affiliated Researcher at the University of Stavanger
Andrew Wrobel
Chief Reinvention Officer at Reinvantage
Agenda
Schedule
THE VENTURE MINDSET
This event will inspire, challenge and equip you with the tools to harness your mindset, unlocking creativity and resilience to drive your ventures forward. Across three days, you’ll gain insights from influential panels, take part in engaging workshops and connect through continual networking opportunities, as global thought leaders come together to explore innovation and leadership in high-pressure environments.
Day 0
13 January 2026 - 07:00 - 20:00
RAX PLATEAU EXPEDITION
The expedition on the Rax Plateau will be led by record-breaking polar explorer Ann Daniels. The hike challenges leaders to practice resilience, strategic decision-making and adaptability, while strengthening trust, collaboration and reflection. All of these skills help enhance effectiveness when transferred back into a working environment.
Day 1
14 January 2026 - 09:15 - 12:30
MORNING AGENDA
Content will focus on corporate venturing, climate leadership, LATAM-EU collaboration to scale climate-smart agriculture, and corporate venturing squads; providing insights on unlocking adoption in complex, regulated value chains, and translating research into real-world impact.
Day 1
14 January 2026 - 14:00 - 17:30
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
Engage in workshops sharing hands-on elite leadership and venture scaling experiences, helping participants develop resilience, make decisions under pressure, and learn practical strategies for turning pilot projects into scalable business initiatives
Day 1
14 January 2026 - 16:00 - 20:00
CHARITY POKER TOURNAMENT
Combine friendly competition with a purpose, as well as a fun and engaging way to network. Proceeds from the €250 buy-in tournament will be donated to charities chosen by the winners, making every hand played an opportunity to make a positive impact.
Day 1
14 January 2026 - 17:30 - 21:00
EVENING NETWORKING
Join fellow attendees for an evening of conversation, canapés and alcohol-free drinks - a relaxed setting to deepen connections made during the day, spark new collaborations and exchange ideas with peers, investors and innovators from around the world. It’s the perfect opportunity to expand networks, share insights in an informal atmosphere and build relationships that last well beyond the event.
Day 2
15 January 2026 - 09:00 - 12:30
MORNING WORKSHOPS
Join workshops focused on building new ventures and resilience, equipping participants with practical frameworks for leading teams, navigating volatility, and creating high-performing, future-ready organisations.
Day 2
15 January 2026 - 14:00 - 17:30
AFTERNOON AGENDA
We'll explore strategic capital, circular economy, sustainable materials, industrial deeptech, media-for-equity; providing insights on aligning strategic capital, funding models, scaling innovations, and driving growth in rapidly evolving industries.
Day 2
15 January 2026 - 19:00 - Late
CLOSING NETWORKING PARTY
The celebration at an iconic Vienna venue offers a vibrant space to further connect with attendees and speakers. This dynamic gathering encourages idea-sharing, partnership exploration and relationship-building within the innovation ecosystem. As the event concludes, participants can reflect on insights gained, forge lasting connections, and feel equipped to drive future success.
About Us
About Us
Who this event is for
Who this
event is for
This event is for founders, investors, corporate innovators, academic leaders, representatives and support professionals who are ready to connect, learn, and grow.
Investors
VCs, PEs, CVCs, Accelerators, Angels, FOs, SWFs, and LPs gain insights into shifting market dynamics and exclusive partnerships, fostering a mindset for strategic, high-impact growth.
Founders &
Startups
Learn from industry leaders, gaining a mindset for investor relations, strategic scaling, and the resilience to drive sustainable, breakthrough growth.
Corporate
Innovation Teams
Find strategies to accelerate solutions, building a mindset geared for collaboration, market alignment, and resilient, future-focused innovation.
Ecosystem
Enablers
Showcase their expertise in support systems like legal, funding, and acceleration, fostering a collaborative mindset to empower innovation on all fronts.
Corporate
Venturing Units
Engage with peers to spot trends and explore deal flow, cultivating a mindset that empowers high-impact decisions and next-gen venture success.
Academia &
Public Sector
Position programmes to attract investment, using a forward-looking mindset to align educational initiatives with real-world market priorities.
Academia &
Public Sector
Position programmes to attract investment, using a forward-looking mindset to align educational initiatives with real-world market priorities.
Corporate
Venturing Units
Engage with peers to spot trends and explore deal flow, cultivating a mindset that empowers high-impact decisions and next-gen venture success.
Founders &
Startups
Learn from industry leaders, gaining a mindset for investor relations, strategic scaling, and the resilience to drive sustainable, breakthrough growth.
Investors
VCs, PEs, CVCs, Accelerators, Angels, FOs, SWFs, and LPs gain insights into shifting market dynamics and exclusive partnerships, fostering a mindset for strategic, high-impact growth.
Ecosystem
EnablersShowcase their expertise in support systems like legal, funding, and acceleration, fostering a collaborative mindset to empower innovation on
all fronts.Ecosystem
EnablersShowcase their expertise in support systems like legal, funding, and acceleration, fostering a collaborative mindset to empower innovation on
all fronts.Corporate
Innovation Teams
Find strategies to accelerate solutions, building a mindset geared for collaboration, market alignment, and resilient, future-focused innovation.
Academia &
Public Sector
Position programmes to attract investment, using a forward-looking mindset to align educational initiatives with real-world market priorities.
Corporate
Venturing Units
Engage with peers to spot trends and explore deal flow, cultivating a mindset that empowers high-impact decisions and next-gen venture success.
Founders &
Startups
Learn from industry leaders, gaining a mindset for investor relations, strategic scaling, and the resilience to drive sustainable, breakthrough growth.
Investors
VCs, PEs, CVCs, Accelerators, Angels, FOs, SWFs, and LPs gain insights into shifting market dynamics and exclusive partnerships, fostering a mindset for strategic, high-impact growth.
Ecosystem
EnablersShowcase their expertise in support systems like legal, funding, and acceleration, fostering a collaborative mindset to empower innovation on
all fronts.Ecosystem
EnablersShowcase their expertise in support systems like legal, funding, and acceleration, fostering a collaborative mindset to empower innovation on
all fronts.Corporate
Innovation Teams
Find strategies to accelerate solutions, building a mindset geared for collaboration, market alignment, and resilient, future-focused innovation.
Academia &
Public Sector
Position programmes to attract investment, using a forward-looking mindset to align educational initiatives with real-world market priorities.
Corporate
Venturing Units
Engage with peers to spot trends and explore deal flow, cultivating a mindset that empowers high-impact decisions and next-gen venture success.
Founders &
Startups
Learn from industry leaders, gaining a mindset for investor relations, strategic scaling, and the resilience to drive sustainable, breakthrough growth.
Investors
VCs, PEs, CVCs, Accelerators, Angels, FOs, SWFs, and LPs gain insights into shifting market dynamics and exclusive partnerships, fostering a mindset for strategic, high-impact growth.
Ecosystem
EnablersShowcase their expertise in support systems like legal, funding, and acceleration, fostering a collaborative mindset to empower innovation on
all fronts.Ecosystem
EnablersShowcase their expertise in support systems like legal, funding, and acceleration, fostering a collaborative mindset to empower innovation on
all fronts.Corporate
Innovation Teams
Find strategies to accelerate solutions, building a mindset geared for collaboration, market alignment, and resilient, future-focused innovation.
Academia &
Public Sector
Position programmes to attract investment, using a forward-looking mindset to align educational initiatives with real-world market priorities.
Corporate
Venturing Units
Engage with peers to spot trends and explore deal flow, cultivating a mindset that empowers high-impact decisions and next-gen venture success.
Founders &
Startups
Learn from industry leaders, gaining a mindset for investor relations, strategic scaling, and the resilience to drive sustainable, breakthrough growth.
Investors
VCs, PEs, CVCs, Accelerators, Angels, FOs, SWFs, and LPs gain insights into shifting market dynamics and exclusive partnerships, fostering a mindset for strategic, high-impact growth.
Ecosystem
EnablersShowcase their expertise in support systems like legal, funding, and acceleration, fostering a collaborative mindset to empower innovation on
all fronts.Ecosystem
EnablersShowcase their expertise in support systems like legal, funding, and acceleration, fostering a collaborative mindset to empower innovation on
all fronts.Corporate
Innovation Teams
Find strategies to accelerate solutions, building a mindset geared for collaboration, market alignment, and resilient, future-focused innovation.
Have any questions?
If you have any questions about the event, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!
Have any questions?
If you have any questions about the event, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!
the
the
venture
mindset
13-15 January 2026
Where corporate venturing meets elite leadership
Register Here
Speakers
Speakers
Our Headline Speakers
Our Headline Speakers
CVC Investors managing over €10bn of capital; global pioneers in corporate venturing, innovation, and entrepreneurship share their insights and experiences at The Venture Mindset 2026.
Nicolas Sauvage
President at TDK Ventures
Mirella Lisboa
Head of Open Innovation & Digital Solutions at BASF Agricultural Solutions LATAM
Marc van den Berg
Managing Director at OGCI
Climate Investments
Aleks Petkov-Georgieva
Head of Organizational Development & Change Management at Raiffeisen Bank Intenational
Michael Claes
Director at SABIC Ventures
Lukasz Garbowski
Chief Investment Officer & Co-Founder at Btomorrow Ventures
Josemaria Siota
Executive Director at IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Dr. Ina Nordsiek
Director of Intrapreneurshp at Miele
Kyle Petersen
Corporate Development Manager at Oshkosh Corporation
Beatriz Camacho Ávila
Associate Director at IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Vinay Solanki
Founder and Head of Channel 4 Ventures
Marco Masia
Head of Entrepreneurship at University of Vienna
Nicolas Sauvage
President at TDK Ventures
Mirella Lisboa
Head of Open Innovation & Digital Solutions at BASF Agricultural Solutions LATAM
Marc van den Berg
Managing Director at OGCI
Climate InvestmentsAleks Petkov-Georgieva
Head of Organizational Development & Change Management at Raiffeisen Bank Intenational
Michael Claes
Director at SABIC Ventures
Lukasz Garbowski
Chief Investment Officer & Co-Founder at Btomorrow Ventures
Josemaria Siota
Executive Director at IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Dr. Ina Nordsiek
Director of Intrapreneurshp at Miele
Kyle Petersen
Corporate Development Manager at Oshkosh Corporation
Beatriz Camacho Ávila
Associate Director at IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Vinay Solanki
Founder and Head of Channel 4 Ventures
Marco Masia
Head of Entrepreneurship at University of Vienna
Nicolas Sauvage
President at TDK Ventures
Mirella Lisboa
Head of Open Innovation & Digital Solutions at BASF Agricultural Solutions LATAM
Marc van den Berg
Managing Director at OGCI
Climate InvestmentsAleks Petkov-Georgieva
Head of Organizational Development & Change Management at Raiffeisen Bank Intenational
Michael Claes
Director at SABIC Ventures
Lukasz Garbowski
Chief Investment Officer & Co-Founder at Btomorrow Ventures
Josemaria Siota
Executive Director at IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Dr. Ina Nordsiek
Director of Intrapreneurshp at Miele
Kyle Petersen
Corporate Development Manager at Oshkosh Corporation
Beatriz Camacho Ávila
Associate Director at IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Vinay Solanki
Founder and Head of Channel 4 Ventures
Marco Masia
Head of Entrepreneurship at University of Vienna
Nicolas Sauvage
President at TDK Ventures
Mirella Lisboa
Head of Open Innovation & Digital Solutions at BASF Agricultural Solutions LATAM
Marc van den Berg
Managing Director at OGCI
Climate InvestmentsAleks Petkov-Georgieva
Head of Organizational Development & Change Management at Raiffeisen Bank Intenational
Michael Claes
Director at SABIC Ventures
Lukasz Garbowski
Chief Investment Officer & Co-Founder at Btomorrow Ventures
Josemaria Siota
Executive Director at IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Dr. Ina Nordsiek
Director of Intrapreneurshp at Miele
Kyle Petersen
Corporate Development Manager at Oshkosh Corporation
Beatriz Camacho Ávila
Associate Director at IESE’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Vinay Solanki
Founder and Head of Channel 4 Ventures
Marco Masia
Head of Entrepreneurship at University of Vienna
Agenda
Agenda
Schedule
This event will inspire, challenge, and equip you with the tools to harness your mindset, unlocking creativity and resilience to drive your ventures forward.
13 January 2026 - 07:00 - 20:00
RAX PLATEAU EXPEDITION
The expedition on the Rax Plateau will be led by record-breaking polar explorer Ann Daniels. The hike challenges leaders to practice resilience, strategic decision-making and adaptability, while strengthening trust, collaboration and reflection. All of these skills help enhance effectiveness when transferred back into a working environment.
Day 0
Day 0
Day 1
Day 1
14 January 2026 - 09:15 - 12:30
MORNING AGENDA
Content will focus on corporate venturing, climate leadership, LATAM-EU collaboration to scale climate-smart agriculture, and corporate venturing squads; providing insights on unlocking adoption in complex, regulated value chains, and translating research into real-world impact.
14 January 2026 - 14:00 - 17:30
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS
Engage in workshops sharing hands-on elite leadership and venture scaling experiences, helping participants develop resilience, make decisions under pressure, and learn practical strategies for turning pilot projects into scalable
business initiatives
14 January 2026 - 16:00 - 20:00
CHARITY POKER TOURNAMENT
Combine friendly competition with a purpose, as well as a fun and engaging way to network. Proceeds from the €250 buy-in tournament will be donated to charities chosen by the winners, making every hand played an opportunity to make a positive impact.
15 January 2026 - 09:00 - 12:30
MORNING WORKSHOPS
Join workshops focused on building new
ventures and resilience, equipping participants with practical frameworks for leading teams, navigating volatility, and creating high-performing,
future-ready organisations.
Day 2
Day 2
14 January 2026 - 17:30 - 21:00
EVENING NETWORKING
Join fellow attendees for an evening of conversation, canapés and alcohol-free drinks - a relaxed setting to deepen connections made during the day, spark new collaborations and exchange ideas with peers, investors and innovators from around the world. It’s the perfect opportunity to expand networks, share insights in an informal atmosphere and build relationships that last well beyond the event.
15 January 2026 - 14:00 - 17:30
AFTERNOON AGENDA
We'll explore strategic capital, circular economy, sustainable materials, industrial deeptech, media-for-equity; providing insights on aligning strategic capital, funding models, scaling innovations, and driving growth in rapidly evolving industries.
15 January 2026 - 19:00 - Late
CLOSING NETWORKING PARTY
The celebration at an iconic Vienna venue offers a vibrant space to further connect with attendees and speakers. This dynamic gathering encourages idea-sharing, partnership exploration and relationship-building within the innovation ecosystem. As the event concludes, participants can reflect on insights gained, forge lasting connections, and feel equipped to drive
future success.
Join Event