Philipp Kinsky and Katarzyna Pichler named Austria’s Business Angels of the year 2025

Celebrating two decades of innovation

For Philipp Kinsky, a prominent startup lawyer and investor, the award represents more than personal recognition—it is a testament to years of supporting entrepreneurial growth in Austria. “This award is really an acknowledgment of twenty years of working to drive innovation in this country,” Kinsky said. “But above all, it belongs to the founders who have allowed me to be part of their journey.”

As a partner at Herbst Kinsky, one of Austria’s leading law firms in venture capital and startup law, Kinsky combines legal expertise with active involvement as a business angel and mentor for early-stage ventures. Among the companies he has supported, Bitpanda stands out as a unicorn that has reshaped the Austrian scaleup scene. Other notable investments include HelloAgain, a loyalty platform now serving over 1,000 clients.

Kinsky is also actively engaged in initiatives to strengthen the Austrian startup ecosystem, such as contributing to the development of FlexCo, a new corporate structure tailored for startups, and participating in plans for a national Austrian fund for early-stage investments. Looking ahead, his investment focus includes artificial intelligence and quantum cryptography, with an eye on sustainability and impact-driven ventures.

Katarzyna Pichler: Nurturing talent and driving growth

Katarzyna Pichler, Managing Partner of InnovaticGroup, was also honored with the Business Angel of the Year award for her successful investments and her commitment to advancing Austria’s startup landscape. InnovaticGroup invests across all stages, from seed to growth, concentrating on technology-driven sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, digital enterprise solutions, and e-commerce.

Pichler highlighted her passion for mentoring young talent, particularly through partnerships with institutions like TU Wien. “The projects with young people are my proudest achievements,” she explained. “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing their enthusiasm as they learn to apply artificial intelligence responsibly in business.”

Diversity and inclusion also remain central to Pichler’s mission. She actively supports women founders, encouraging them to take bold steps in launching and scaling their ventures. For her, the award is a recognition of her entire team, collaborators, and co-investors: “This honor reflects the collective effort behind our successes. Together, we can continue to strengthen Austria’s position as a vibrant hub for innovation.”

A shared sision for Austria’s startup future

Both Kinsky and Pichler exemplify the evolving role of business angels: investors who provide not just capital, but mentorship, strategic guidance, and a network that empowers startups to succeed. Their recognition at Business Angel Day 2025 underscores the importance of fostering innovation, supporting emerging talent, and shaping a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Austria.