Head of Startup-Services and Deputy Head of Founder-Services at Austrian Federal Economic Chamber | StartupNOW & Gründerservice

I am a serial entrepreneur, venture builder, and startup ecosystem leader with 15+ years of experience founding, scaling, and advising 50+ startups across FinTech, CleanTech, Big Data, HealthTech, Mobility, HR, FoodTech, and Social Impact.

My work has supported founders in raising over €100M in venture capital, driving multiple successful exits, and expanding globally. At the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, I lead nationwide startup programs that have enabled 5,000+ founders to scale internationally, secure funding, and achieve sustainable growth.

Beyond building companies, I mentor early-stage founders, lecture on entrepreneurship and venture capital, and actively shape innovation ecosystems across Europe. Recognized by the World Economic Forum, SXSW, and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, I am passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to transform industries and create lasting impact.

Specialties: Startup ecosystem leadership, venture capital & fundraising, international expansion, growth strategy, public speaking, mentorship.

Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words.
So I’ll just write what I feel.

Iran has never been just a country to me.
It’s memory. It’s childhood. It’s voices, smells, laughter, family tables, long conversations, warmth, culture, history older than almost anything we know.

Some of my best moments growing up happened there.
My family. My friends. A feeling of belonging that stays with you forever.

And when I look at Iran today, it hurts.

What once felt full of life, creativity, pride, and possibility feels increasingly stripped away. Not because the people changed, but because so much has been taken from them. Opportunities. Safety. Trust. Hope.

And yet…
right now, something is happening.

People are standing up again. Not loudly for the world, not perfectly organized, not without fear, but with courage. Ordinary people. Students. Workers. Parents. Young and old. People who have already lost so much and still choose to say: enough.

This doesn’t feel like politics to me.
It feels deeply human.

It feels like the moment when you are exhausted, scared, and still decide not to stay silent anymore. When the pain of doing nothing becomes heavier than the fear of acting.

I don’t know if this moment will become the turning point. History is cruel like that.
But I do know this: something inside the people of Iran is very much alive. And that matters.

If you’re reading this and feel helpless – I get it.
But solidarity is NOT nothing.

Talk about it.
Share stories.
Listen to Iranian voices.
Push back when suffering is minimized.
Refuse to forget.

Change often begins long before it becomes visible.
And sometimes, the least we can do is make sure those who are brave enough to stand are not standing alone.

For Iran.
For its people.
For the country I carry with me, no matter where I am.

#iran #humanrights #solidarity #courage #freedom #dignity #hope

__

گاهی پیدا کردن کلمات سخت است.
برای همین فقط همان چیزی را می‌نویسم که حس می‌کنم.

ایران برای من فقط یک کشور نیست.
ایران یعنی خاطره، کودکی، خانواده، دوستان و حسی عمیق از تعلق.

وقتی امروز به ایران نگاه می‌کنم، دلم درد می‌گیرد.
نه چون مردم عوض شده‌اند، بلکه چون از آن‌ها خیلی چیزها گرفته شده: امنیت، فرصت، امید.

و با این حال، دوباره چیزی در حال شکل گرفتن است.

مردم عادی دوباره ایستاده‌اند.
با ترس، با خستگی، اما با شجاعت.
دانشجوها، کارگرها، خانواده‌ها — کسانی که می‌گویند: دیگر بس است.

برای من این سیاست نیست.
این یک واکنش انسانی است.
لحظه‌ای که دردِ سکوت از ترسِ ایستادن بیشتر می‌شود.

نمی‌دانم این لحظه سرنوشت‌ساز خواهد بود یا نه.
اما می‌دانم که چیزی در درون مردم ایران هنوز زنده است – و همین مهم است.

اگر حس ناتوانی داری، تنها نیستی.
اما همبستگی مهم است.

حرف بزن.
گوش بده.
فراموش نکن.

برای ایران.
برای مردمش.
برای کشوری که همیشه با من است.

#ایران #همبستگی #شجاعت #آزادی #کرامت #امید

© Katty-Elizarova

Kambis Kohansal Vajargah

Serial Entrepreneur | Startup Ecosystem Leader | Venture Builder | Advisor to 50+ Startups (€100M+ Raised) | Head of Startup-Services @ WKÖ

iran-protest-2026-quiet-courage-solidarity-(c)Katty-Elizarova-shutterstock-1200x800

A historic moment for Austria’s business community.

On January 14, 2026, Martha Schultz was officially sworn in as President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, becoming the first woman to hold this role. After leading the organization on an interim basis, she now continues her course with clarity, determination, and a strong reform agenda.

In economically challenging times, her vision is clear: a strong, independent Economic Chamber that stands firmly behind businesses, strengthens competitiveness, safeguards jobs, and enables sustainable growth across all regions.

What makes this milestone particularly meaningful is her consistent commitment to female owned businesses, entrepreneurship and startups. These are not side topics, but central pillars for Austria’s future economic strength. Her leadership sends a strong signal that transformation, modernisation, and openness to new business models are essential for long-term success.

Congratulations, Martha Schultz! This is not just a personal achievement, but a powerful step forward for the entire Austrian entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Frau in der Wirtschaft | Gründerservice | Junge Wirtschaft | EPU - Services der Wirtschaftskammer

#leadership #femalefounder #entrepreneurship #innovation #startups #economicpolicy #austria #wkostartupnow

📸 © Nadine Studeny

A professional photograph showing Martha Schultz standing confidently in a modern glass building, while a man in a suit applauds her. The setting conveys a formal and celebratory moment marking her appointment as President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

Two years. Many conversations. One shared belief.

After two years on the board of FUTURE MC, it’s time for me to say goodbye.

This was never just a board role.
It was a space for honest dialogue, shared responsibility, and a deep belief that leadership must evolve – not incrementally, but meaningfully.

I’m very grateful to the current board members Nadia Tor, Katrin Heindl and Patrick Pirchegger and the management behind the parent organisation, Management Club especially Walter Gupfinger and Lissa Bergner, and many more for the trust, the openness, and the countless discussions that challenged my thinking and strengthened my conviction that collaboration beats ego, every time. Also special thanks to the board Thomas Arnoldner, Henrietta Egerth, Georg Krause, Astrid Adamek, 
René Knapp, Georg Doppelhofer and Günther Ofner.

At the same time, I’m genuinely excited about what’s next.
With Marie-Therese Repper, Marcus Schmid, Laura Lidauer, Maximilian Kränkl and Dominic Runge joining the board, Future MC gains not only strong leadership, but also fresh perspective and energy. I’m confident the club is in excellent hands.

Leaving doesn’t mean letting go of the mission.
It simply means making space for new voices, new impulses, and the next chapter.

Thank you to everyone who made these two years meaningful.
I’ll continue to support Future MC just from a different angle. 
And I am happy to announce that I will join the Management Club as a member! 🤝

Onwards. With gratitude.
— Kambis

#fmc #futuremc #leadership #club #membership #wkostartupnow

A black-and-white group photo of four people standing side by side in front of a “Future MC” branded backdrop. They are smiling and facing the camera, representing current and future board members of the Future Management Club.

🚨 Defence Innovation needs more than ideas. It needs execution. 

From 28–30 January 2026, Klagenfurt becomes the meeting point for those who take Defence & Dual-Use Innovation seriously:

ADIC26 | Lakeside Park & Makerspace

We’re looking for startups, SMEs, research groups, and spin-offs that are ready to move from concepts to real-world impact across:

👉 AI & Robotics
👉 Protection & Resilience
👉 Cognitive Security & Societal Resilience

💡 A real highlight this year:
Cognitive Security & Resilience Hackathon – “Securing Minds, Strengthening Society”
Plus additional Defence Innovation Challenges with a strong focus on dual-use, operational relevance, and resilience.

How to join in 3 simple steps:

1️⃣ Check the tracks & program
Get a quick overview here:
https://lnkd.in/dZC3YkTy

2️⃣ Choose your Challenge or Hackathon
If your tech fits AI, Robotics, Protection, or Cognitive Security & Resilience — pick your track(s) and lock in your team.

3️⃣ Register online & secure your spot
https://lnkd.in/dEevXKfT

If you’re building technology that matters when it counts — this is where you should be.

Let’s turn innovation into resilience.

– If you are interested get in touch with me! 🤙❗ –

Feat. 
Austrian Federal Economic Chamber
Wirtschaftskammer Kärnten
Österreichisches Bundesheer (Austrian Armed Forces)
MILIZVERBAND ÖSTERREICH

#adic26 #defenceinnovation #dualuse #ai #robotics #startups #wkostartupnow

WKO-ADIC-Austrian-Defense-Innovation-Conference-2026-Event-Defense-Challenges

Sometimes it’s the small things that quietly make everyday work easier.

A simple example:
No more searching for business cards.
No reprinting.
No outdated contact details.

Just one digital card – always up to date, always at hand.

When Robin reached out asking for a my feedback on Linqon GmbH it reminded me why I genuinely like using tools like this:

They solve a real, everyday problem without adding complexity.

Innovation doesn’t always need a big stage.
Sometimes it just needs to fit naturally into your workflow.

Happy to support solutions that focus on simplicity, usability, and real-life application.

#businesscard #digitalcard #visitenkarte #crm #ai #wkostartupnow

A man sits at his desk in a home office, holding a digital business card in his hand. A laptop, mouse, and desk accessories are visible in the background. He looks thoughtfully at the card, highlighting a modern, digital work setup.

🚀 Applications are now open for the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (ELP) by AustrianStartups!

A one-year journey for bold thinkers, problem-solvers, and future founders ready to turn ideas into real impact.

My favorite part of being a mentor and supporter of the ELP is seeing how people grow beyond their own expectations, challenging their assumptions, gaining clarity, and turning early ideas into concrete entrepreneurial paths with confidence and purpose.

If you’re ready to challenge yourself, learn from experienced founders, and build something that truly matters, apply now:
👉 https://lnkd.in/ddGSg6kX

🗓 Applications close on 25 January 2026, 23:59 CET

More information:
👉 https://lnkd.in/gXRM5dbK

Feat. Gründerservice

#ELP #entrepreneurship #leadership #founders #startups #innovation #personalgrowth #wkostartupnow

Kambis Kohansal Vajargah is Head of Startup-Services at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

He is the founding partner of several startup companies, including whatchado, Saturo, Carployee, Freebiebox or ALVERI and angel investor at Gateway Ventures and Founders of Europe. 
 
The World Economic Forum has chosen him as a European Digital Leader guiding the digital transformation of Europe. Besides, he is advisory board member at SXSW Pitch, juror at the World Summit Awards and European Youth Award and has been named Austrian ambassador for integration. 
 
Since 2011, he has been actively advising startups from all over the world how to scale up their ventures globally. His motto: Believe. Execute. Learn

AustrianStartups

Gründerservice

Christine Ruckenbauer

Why fewer startups will be funded and that’s a good thing.

Less capital.
More scrutiny.
Higher expectations.

Sounds tough, but it’s healthy.

We’re moving back to fundamentals:

• real customers
• real revenue
• real execution

Pitch decks don’t build companies.
Customers do.

The ecosystem doesn’t need more startups.
It needs stronger ones.

#startups #venturecapital #entrepreneurship #execution #growth #wkostartupnow

Europe 🇪🇺 doesn’t have an innovation problem. 
It has a translation problem.

We’re great at:
1️⃣ research
2️⃣ engineering
3️⃣ ideas

We struggle with: 
1️⃣ speed
2️⃣ scaling
3️⃣ commercialization

If Europe gets better at turning innovation into companies – not just concepts – we win.

The future won’t be decided by who invents first. 
But by who commercializes best.

#europe #innovation #scaleups #deeptech #competitiveness #wkostartupnow

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