WU Entrepreneurship Center Marks Decade with Early-Stage Investments in Startup Innovation
The WU Entrepreneurship Center has reached a significant milestone, celebrating ten years of fostering entrepreneurial activity and innovation. Established in 2015, the center has evolved from primarily raising awareness about entrepreneurship to providing a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates inspiration, skill development, advisory services, incubation, and financing for emerging ventures.
Over the past decade, the center has supported more than 57,000 participants through various programs and events, facilitated over 4,000 advisory sessions, and accompanied 600 startup teams in their development. This growth reflects the center's ongoing commitment to nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship within the academic community and beyond.
In 2025, the center expanded its capabilities by launching WU Ignite Ventures, a dedicated early-stage investment platform. This initiative enables the center to provide financial support to university-affiliated startups during their initial phases, addressing a critical gap in the startup ecosystem. WU Ignite Ventures is designed not only as a funding vehicle but as a strategic tool to highlight and encourage entrepreneurial thinking at the university. The platform aims to establish a structured foundation for the early-stage financing of spin-offs emerging from the WU community.
As part of its tenth anniversary celebrations, the WU Entrepreneurship Center announced its first two investments under WU Ignite Ventures. The selected startups, constrct and NEXO, represent diverse sectors and innovative approaches to contemporary challenges.
The Vienna-based company constrct is developing a digital platform aimed at streamlining the procurement and coordination of building materials within the commercial construction industry. The solution seeks to address the highly fragmented nature of supply chain processes by simplifying and automating workflows. In addition, the platform is engineered to leverage ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data, enabling more sustainable decision-making for industry stakeholders.
NEXO, the second startup to secure investment, is focused on advancing orthopedic rehabilitation through the development of a novel, patent-pending exoskeleton. The device is designed to enhance the efficiency of therapeutic treatments and help reduce the workload in rehabilitation centers. NEXO's approach integrates artificial intelligence-driven processes, sustainable manufacturing methods, and advanced materials to create a scalable and forward-looking solution for medical facilities.
The WU Entrepreneurship Center's decade-long journey has been characterized by a consistent effort to create an environment where entrepreneurial talent can thrive. By combining advisory support, skill-building opportunities, and structured funding mechanisms, the center continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of innovation in Austria. The recent investments in constrct and NEXO underscore the center's dedication to supporting high-potential startups that address real-world challenges with innovative solutions.
Looking ahead, the WU Entrepreneurship Center intends to further expand its support for early-stage ventures and enhance its contributions to the startup ecosystem. Through ongoing collaboration, strategic investment, and comprehensive programming, the center remains committed to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and strengthening the region's reputation as a hub for innovation and business development.