EdTech for all, all for EdTech – shaping the world of education together

From March to June 2025, six (aspiring) EdTech startups received intensive support. The goal was to refine and develop their ideas and prepare them for the education market. The Fellowship Program is a joint initiative by EdTech Austria and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism (BMWET). More information about the program: EdTech Austria Fellowship

“What makes the Fellowship special is the individualized and needs-based support: mentors, coaches, and workshop leaders specifically address the unique challenges and conditions of each startup. This personal guidance is complemented by a strong team spirit and the intensive exchange among the fellows – an environment that fosters peer learning and mutual support,” says Eva Nittmann, Program Manager at EdTech Austria.

The Fellowship is the first program of its kind in Austria specifically tailored to the needs of EdTech startups. But why is a dedicated support program for this sector necessary in the first place?

EdTech is not only a dynamically growing market – it also holds tremendous societal importance. “EdTech makes learning more efficient, flexible, and personalized – and it’s a key driver of innovation in Austria. Especially for SMEs, digital education opens up new opportunities to upskill their employees and strengthen their competitiveness. That’s why, together with EdTech Austria, we support innovative solutions in establishing themselves in the education market, scaling faster, and advancing digital education,” says Birgit Schwabl-Drobir, Head of the SME Department at the BMWET.

The Fellowship Program is designed to promote exactly that: the development and dissemination of innovative educational technologies. Participants not only gain valuable insights and hands-on know-how specific to the EdTech sector but also have the opportunity to test their ideas and further develop them within a strong network.

By combining workshops, peer learning, and individualized coaching, the program creates an inspiring environment where innovation becomes not just possible, but tangible.

And now, the exciting part: meet our six amazing fellows – and yes, we’re incredibly proud of them!

EduQuest – Learning App for Generation Alpha

Idea: EduQuest combines learning and play in a creative way: through mini-games that can be played solo or in groups, users learn new languages in a playful manner within a familiar environment.
Team: Wenxi Yang (CEO), David Trapp (CTO)
Region: Upper Austria
Mentor: Martin Filipp, Mi’pu’mi Games

“The Fellowship was a fantastic opportunity to gain new perspectives and expert input from professionals, mentors, and coaches. The exchange, the modules, and the personal support were incredibly helpful – whether it was about UX design, pedagogical models, or market entry. The weekly support was intense, but incredibly motivating and valuable. I would do it again in a heartbeat.” – Wenxi Yang, EduQuest

To the Website

enablr – The Platform for AI Integration in SMEs

Idea: enablr supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in integrating AI into their processes easily and securely through personalized learning paths.
Team: Sofia Santamaria (Co-Founder, Data Science), Finn Gasch (Co-Founder, Marketing & Sales)
Region: Vienna
Mentor: Anna Iarotska, Robo Wunderkind

“Our co-founder is from Colombia, and I’m from Germany. Since neither of us is originally from Austria, it was crucial for us to receive support in understanding the Austrian economy and its structures. The reliable guidance provided by the Fellowship Program was incredibly valuable and exactly what we had hoped for.” – Finn Gasch, enablr

To Linkedin 

Dualify – The App for Apprenticeship Training

Idea: Dualify aims to modernize and future-proof apprenticeship training. The app supports apprentices in managing their daily routines between on-the-job training and classroom learning.
Team: Maximilian Kottnig (CEO), Kenan Moric (CFO), Rahul Sharaf (CTO)
Region: Styria
Mentor: Manfred Schweiger, BUZ – Burgenländisches Schulungszentrum

“We joined the Fellowship Program because it opened up a completely new perspective for us. It gave us valuable insights into the field of educational innovation in Austria. What helped us the most were the mentoring and coaching sessions, where we received weekly support and were able to further develop our app in a focused way.” – Maximilian Kottnig, CEO of Dualify

To the Website

Lewin – AI Coach for Leadership and Consulting

Idea: Lewin is an AI-powered coach for organizational development, supporting professionals and executives in reflection, decision-making, and change processes.
Team: Roland Wolfig (Managing Director, Vision, Technical Implementation), Sebastian Berger (Marketing, Project Management), Nadja Walser (Prompt Engineering, Content), Aaron Scheer (Sales, Content), Alexander Meixner (Technical Implementation)
Region: Vienna
Mentor: Harald Stadlbauer, NINEFEB

“The fellowship program was a truly special experience for us, as building a startup in the EdTech sector is no easy task. We received valuable support from coaches and mentors and benefited greatly from the intensive exchange with other startups. This allowed us to grow and take the next step forward. All in all, it was a fantastic experience – I would participate again anytime.” – Roland Wolfig, Managing Director

To the Website

MagicARpet – Interactive Learning Rug with Augmented Reality

Idea: MagicARpet combines augmented reality (AR) with traditional learning methods to promote playful, multisensory learning for children aged five to eight. The AR content includes animated stories, quizzes, and educational tasks that can be accessed and completed using a smartphone or tablet.
Team: Hanna Gegenhuber (Co-Founder, Project Lead & Vision Alignment), Sonja Macher (Co-Founder, Operational Lead & Business Development), Anniina Rytkönen (Art Director)
Region: Vienna
Mentor: Markus Tatzgern, Head of Research at the Department of Creative Technologies, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences

“We applied for the EdTech Austria Fellowship because we’ve been working on our EdTech project for two years and were specifically looking for more opportunities for development, learning, and networking. The program provided exactly what we needed to move our project forward.” – Hannah Gegenhuber, Co-Founder of MagicARpet

To the Website

SURFjobs – Career Orientation for Gen Z

Idea: SURFjobs is a career orientation app designed in the style of TikTok. In short videos, users gain authentic insights into various professions, companies, and secondary schools. Through the app, they can apply directly or schedule trial days. In addition, SURFjobs offers a web interface for teachers to support them in career orientation classes.
Team: Robert Hart (Managing Director & Sales), Florian Girlinger (School Partnerships), Elias Ramoser (Backend Developer), Emin Vojnikovic (Frontend Development & Operations)
Region: Upper Austria
Mentor: Bernd Simon, Knowledge Markets

“In a short amount of time, we were able to learn an incredible amount about our business model and the app – while also building a strong network. The energy and momentum among the other startups were truly palpable. It was especially the exchange with others that helped us make our idea truly market-ready. The network we built during this time will definitely continue to support us in the years to come.” – Florian Girlinger, SURFjobs

To the Website

For the Austrian Education Market: A Network for the Future

The EdTech Austria Fellowship program has not only supported fresh ideas but also built a strong network—a community that continues to thrive beyond the program itself. Eva Nittmann puts it in a nutshell: “The Fellows became part of the vibrant EdTech community, which offers networking, exchange, and joint development far beyond the Fellowship program. The combination of tailored support, a strong sense of community, and long-term integration into the EdTech ecosystem made the first edition a complete success for me!”

A program like this thrives on people who are passionate about sharing their knowledge, experience, and networks. The workshop leaders, coaches, and mentors—all experts in their fields—played a key role in helping the Fellows move forward with great dedication. But what motivates these experts to get so involved?

For Sandra Schön from TU Graz, it’s a genuine concern to support young entrepreneurs: “I’m happy to be involved because I firmly believe we urgently need these innovative developments. Especially in research, I see the need to support committed people scientifically as well. In general, I’m passionate about fostering and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs in the education sector.”

Joerg Hofstaetter, founder of the EdTech company ovos, also brings a strong personal commitment to his role: “In our 20 years as an EdTech company, we’ve made many mistakes. That’s exactly what motivates me to share my knowledge and support passionate, dedicated people so they can successfully bring their ideas to life in this field. It’s especially important to me to pass on my know-how in business and market entry—because those are the areas where most pitfalls lie. You have to start asking the right questions about these topics very early on.”

Inspiring Momentum: Practical Tips from the Field

In addition to their motivation, the experts also shared practical tips to guide the Fellows on their future paths. Manfred Schweiger, mentor to the startup Dualify, emphasized the importance of openness and a willingness to learn in the early founding phase: “When you have an idea, it’s incredibly important to step outside your immediate sphere of influence and mental framework during the startup phase and remain open to others. This openness initiates a learning process that is priceless. You don’t just grow personally—you gain knowledge. It allows you to take shortcuts and avoid long detours.”

Julia Schlögl, coach and trainer, highlighted the value of tailored support within the program: “I think this kind of fellowship program is fantastic because it allows for intensive collaboration and targeted support exactly where each team currently stands. This was particularly important in this program, as the teams began at very different stages of development. Just because a team is at a different point in their journey doesn’t mean their idea lacks potential. That’s what makes this approach so special: On the one hand, the workshops delivered essential input relevant to all, and on the other hand, the coaching provided individual support tailored to each team’s specific needs.”

The fellowship experts not only shared their knowledge but also helped lay the foundation for the long-term development of the participating startups. Their contribution underscores how crucial targeted support and strong networks are in strengthening the next generation of EdTech innovations in Austria.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

Following the successful first edition, the EdTech Austria Fellowship program is moving into its next round! Applications for the second cohort are expected to open in December 2025, with the program set to begin in the first quarter of 2026. A special advantage for all (aspiring) EdTech startups applying: Fellows from the first round will be involved as alumni in the peer-learning process—creating valuable exchange with like-minded individuals who have already walked the path.

We look forward to once again supporting exciting ideas, committed founders, and innovative solutions for the education market. Together, we’re shaping the future of education!

Thank You!

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who actively supported and advised the Fellows: Coaches Constanze Stockhammer (WIRKEN.org) and Julia Schlögl (juliaschloegl.com), Workshop leaders Svenia Busson (European EdTech Alliance), Sandra Schön (TU Graz), Julia Zadoorian-Klammer (George Labs), Joerg Hofstaetter (ovos), and Paul Beyer Klinkosch (SchuBu), as well as Michael Narea and David Fu (Transcend Network), Stefan Hupe (Digital Society Institute), Thomas Layer-Wagner (Polycular), Gabi Wagner (Salzburg Begreifen), Sven Maikranz (Upstrive), Michael Kurz (Startup Salzburg), Georg Hobmeier (Causa Creations), Chris Schernthaner (Pulse Revenue Consulting), and Daniel Lohninger (Epicentre Works).