Partnership networks for sustainable impact entrepreneurship

17.11.2025 Blog

On 13 November 2025, the fourth edition of the largest networking event within Styria’s impact entrepreneurship community took place – with a clear focus on ‘Collaborative networks for future-proof business’. Leading experts and innovators demonstrated how interconnected cooperation strengthens sustainable and purpose-driven economic activity.

Following the welcome by Kirsten Tangemann and Rüdiger Wetzl, along with video greetings from Willibald Ehrenhöfer and Kurt Hohensinner, guests received up-to-date insights into the Impact Business Community.

Susanne Konstanze Weber captivated the audience with her keynote and her initiative ‘How do we want to have been?’, offering personal perspectives from the incubation programme of the Social Business Hub Styria.

In the panel discussion, Gerhard Maier (green market), Thomas Karner (Forum Obermayerhofen) and Bibiane Puhl (KRAFT:dasMurtal) explored the role of regional cooperation, shared resources and innovative business models in building resilient and purpose-driven economic structures.

With his keynote impulse, Jakob Gmoser (aitark) demonstrated how AI solutions can support impact entrepreneurs – ranging from efficiency gains to impact-oriented data analysis.

Following a brief insight into the LIN project partnership with Eastern Styria and the launch of the ideas competition – which, through new collaborations, is this year also represented more strongly in the Murau/Murtal region (Kraft:das Murtal) and Eastern Styria (www.oststeiermark.at, www.zeitkultur.at) – guests embarked on an evening full of inspiration and exchange.

The event then shifted fully into networking mode, offering ample space for exchange and new collaborations.

In advance, Erste Social Finance had provided insights in the lecture ‘Your access to impact capital’, outlining social banking and financing opportunities for impact entrepreneurs. Those who missed the presentation and advisory slots are welcome to contact Impact Investment Manager Margit Mayr (Margit.Mayr@erstesocialfinance.com) directly.

Our sincere thanks go to all funding institutions, supporters, our panellists and all attendees who helped make the evening a powerful statement for connected, future-oriented business.

Photos: Daniel Winter

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