This spring Learnsy was chosen to Discovery Vienna program by the Vienna Business Agency among other 24 promising and innovative startups from around the word. The ViennaUP startup festival provided a platform for discussing sustainability, green innovation, and the role of education in shaping future leaders.
The festival emphasized how businesses must integrate environmental responsibility into their core strategies while preparing the workforce for evolving challenges. In this blog post we summarize presentations and discussions from Connect Day and Impact Days.
Market-driven change
Sustainable solutions are no longer just ethical choices, they are business imperatives. Companies must align profitability with environmental responsibility by offering:
More sustainable options. Businesses should strive to provide affordable, high-quality, and environmentally responsible products that meet market demands.
Have ESG as a business foundation. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles should be embedded into business strategy rather than treated as a compliance task. Companies with authentic ESG integration gain a competitive edge.
Urgency and collaboration matter. Green value capturing relies on effective teamwork, ensuring sustainable solutions reach the market. Organizations must foster partnerships that prioritize long-term impact over short-term gains.
Impact Investment can drive long-term change. Investors and startups alike recognize that sustainable impact requires strategic commitment. ViennaUP discussions highlighted key considerations:
- Industrial innovations require long-term commitment. Sustainability initiatives should focus on enduring solutions rather than temporary trends. Businesses must invest in scalable innovations that provide lasting benefits.
- Reliable Structures over “Hop-On, Hop-Off” approaches. Lasting impact demands consistency. Companies must avoid fluctuating priorities and commit to sustainable frameworks rather than reactive decision-making.
National legislation plays a key role. Without regulatory alignment, sustainability efforts risk remaining theoretical. Effective policies can drive meaningful change, ensuring that green innovation becomes standard practice rather than an optional initiative.
Knowledge creation fuels ESG success. Sustainable investment requires awareness and education. Businesses must develop strategies that emphasize measurable impact rather than symbolic sustainability efforts.
Teaching the next generation of leaders
At ViennaUP Impact Days we listened to a great discussion about reinforcing the importance of leadership and skills development for teachers, students and professionals. Key takeaways included:
Diverse perspectives shape thinking. Even with the same information, individuals interpret and apply knowledge differently. Educational strategies should encourage critical thinking and adaptability.
Leadership vs. boss mentality. Educators play a vital role in shaping future leaders by inspiring ambition and fostering a growth mindset, rather than enforcing rigid authority.
21st-Century skills. Many educators lack modern training that aligns with today's digital-first, rapidly evolving workforce. New frameworks are needed to prepare students for success.
Bridging the gap in teacher training. Traditional education focuses on academic expertise, but practical teaching skills must be integrated as well to cultivate an agile workforce capable of adapting to future challenges.
Final thoughts
ViennaUP reinforced the idea that sustainability, innovation, and education must work together to create long-term impact. Companies must balance business success with environmental responsibility, while educators shape adaptable, forward-thinking leaders. By integrating ESG into strategy and modernizing education, we can build a future that thrives on sustainability and smart leadership.
Learnsy is committed to driving meaningful change in teacher training by sparking interest and motivation among educators. By equipping teachers with the skills needed to navigate evolving educational landscapes, we can help connect them with the most suitable impact-driven learning environments, ensuring they can maximize their influence on future generations
