BH Professionals Meetup Vienna | Connecting Futures: Innovation, Integration & Impact
This event brought together Bosnia & Herzegovina diaspora professionals and stakeholders in Vienna. Co-hosted by the Bosnia & Herzegovina Futures Foundation, the Business Women of B&H, MenteeHub Vienna, and MakingItIn Austria, this flagship networking conference aimed to strengthen ties between Western Balkan entrepreneurs and Austria’s tech and innovation ecosystem. Held at Impact Hub Vienna, the event aligned closely with BHFF’s mission of empowering young talents and breaking down barriers through technology, education, and leadership.
Goals & Key Themes: The meetup’s theme emphasized “Innovation, Integration & Impact.” Organizers promoted Austria’s role as a Central European hub for technology and talent, stressing the importance of international integration. The program’s description highlighted bringing together young professionals, founders, investors, local agencies, and companies with Balkan roots to build lasting connections and drive shared innovation. In this way, the conference sought to harness the collective expertise of the Bosnia‑Herzegovina diaspora to drive entrepreneurial collaboration and social impact – echoing BHFF’s broader goal to unite diaspora professionals… to harness our collective expertise, ideas, and resources to drive innovation, business growth, and social impact. In short, Connecting Futures aimed to strengthen the Bosnian‑Herzegovinian community abroad by showcasing opportunities in technology and business, and by promoting Austria as a gateway for Balkan talent.
Speakers & Sessions: The agenda featured a mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and informal networking. BHFF founder Edhem “Eddie” Custovic opened the event with a keynote on the Foundation’s origin story and mission. Another keynote was delivered by Selma Prodanovic, a veteran entrepreneur and investor described as “one of the most influential women in start-ups & VC in Europe”. Between keynotes, two panel sessions explored entrepreneurship and career integration:
Panel 1 – “Starting Up Abroad”: Focused on the challenges and opportunities for expatriate founders in Austria. Panelists included representatives from the Vienna Business Agency, the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO), the tax consultancy Team23, and other leadership experts. The discussion addressed how newcomers can build companies in a foreign market, highlighting support structures and practical advice.
Panel 2 – “Belong. Grow. Thrive: Careers & Community for Expats”: Examined what it takes to thrive, not just survive, as an expatriate professional. Speakers ranged from a CFO of a leading Austrian bank to a company founder who started from scratch, as well as the host of the “Making It in Austria” podcast and a MenteeHub co‑founder. The panel shared inspiring integration stories and career journeys of Western Balkan professionals in Austria.
Fireside Chat – “Founders without Borders”: An intimate conversation with Senad Santic, co‑founder of the Bosnian software firm ZenDev. Senad shared his personal story of emigrating as a child and later returning to co-found a globally‑oriented company. This session highlighted the theme of “coming full circle” and building ventures that span multiple cultures.
Company Spotlights: Sponsors and partners – including Team23 Steuerberatung, ZenDev, Tranchulas – introduced their missions and activities in quick talks. These company presentations offered attendees a chance to learn about potential employers, partners or collaborators within the BHFF network.
Attendees & Community: Attendees included young professionals and students of Balkan heritage, entrepreneurs, investors, and agency representatives from Austria and neighboring countries. Organizers emphasized the presence of both men and women; in particular, the involvement of Business Women of B&H underlined a commitment to female leadership. The event fostered a diverse networking space: participants ranged from first‑generation immigrants to Austrian‑born professionals of Balkan descent, all sharing an interest in technology, entrepreneurship, and maintaining ties with Bosnia & Herzegovina. 5 of BHFF scholars also attended the event, previously they have visited very interesting companies. Stay tuned for more details.
Impact & Outcomes: Connecting Futures was designed as a community-building initiative as much as an informational forum. By bringing together diaspora stakeholders in Vienna, the conference reinforced BHFF’s strategy of diaspora engagement. These events demonstrate how the diaspora can uplift and strengthen our homeland through collaboration, leadership, and heart.
In line with BHFF’s mission, Connecting Futures aimed to inspire “the next generation of change makers” by demonstrating successful diaspora role models and integration pathways. It provided a platform for attendees to learn how innovation and entrepreneurship can drive social impact for Bosnia & Herzegovina, while also building their own careers in Europe. The event’s emphasis on integration also echoed BHFF’s values: connecting Bosnia & Herzegovina’s future leaders with broader European networks and resources.
The Vienna BH Meetup Connecting Futures exemplified BH Futures Foundation’s commitment to fostering a global Bosnian-Herzegovinian professional community. By blending inspirational keynotes, practical panels, and informal networking, the event sought to empower diaspora talent and highlight Austria as a regional innovation hub. Although further follow‑up will determine long-term impacts, the positive turnout and engagement indicate that such initiatives continue to advance BHFF’s vision of collective progress through youth, technology, and cross-border collaboration.