Organised by the CultTech Association, the driving force behind the emerging CultTech industry, the event especially highlighted the powerful potential of cross-sector collaboration, creative entrepreneurship, and technology-enabled cultural transformation.

Top-tier speakers and bold conversations

The speaker lineup reflected the Summit’s global scope and interdisciplinary focus: Nobel Laureate Sir Konstantin Novoselov, avant-garde theatre legend Heiner Goebbels, and executives from Canva, SoundCloud, Universal Music, MassiveMusic, Connect Ventures, and UNESCO were among the thought leaders sparking dynamic discussions. 

Through high-level keynotes, panels and over 18 community roundtables, the Summit covered a wide range of themes - from how new technologies are reshaping creative expression and audience perception, to breaking into international markets and investing in the future of creative tech. Throughout the talks, a unifying message resonated: in an increasingly interconnected world, creativity and collaboration remain the driving forces behind vibrant and resilient communities. Looking ahead, the next frontier for cultural technology lies in its ability to deeply resonate with human emotion.

A packed Expo and live performances

At the heart of the Summit, the CultTech Global Expo brought together 42 industry players from 17 countries throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa - such as Orpheo (FR/DE), OGR Torino (IT), Tonwelt and Amepheas (DE), Media Apparat and Habegger as well as Histify (CH). Designed as more than just a business showcase, the Expo served as a collaborative space for companies, hubs, and communities working at the intersection of culture and technology, with a particularly strong presence of XR and AI-based tools for museums and exhibitions.

The Summit’s Artistic Program set it apart from other conferences, seamlessly integrating live performances such as the immersive storytelling VR project[EOL]. End of Life, nominated to Nestroy Special Prize 2025, and experimental exhibitions into the heart of the experience. The CultTech Emerging Artist Award honoured Klara Klima’s works featured in the showcase, celebrating innovation, critical insight, and artistic bravery in the field of digital arts. Additional artistic highlights included an exhibition hosted by the Digital Arts Department of the University of Applied Arts Vienna, as well as a closing set by electronic artist DeLaurentis, bringing the event to a vibrant and immersive finale. 

Strong investor backing and institutional partnerships

This year’s CultTech Summit saw record-breaking participation from over 100 investors - a clear sign of growing confidence in the cultural tech sector. Key partners included Speedinvest, 3VC, Female Founders, BNVC, New Renaissance Ventures, and 4YFN, underscoring CultTech’s expanding influence across both creative and financial ecosystems. Investor interest in the creative technology sector is accelerating, according to the CultTech Investor Relations team. “The next big wave won’t just come from technology – it will come from creativity,” said Ulli Stevens, CultTech’s Head of Investor Relations.

“Creative tech is no longer a niche - it’s fast becoming one of the most compelling frontiers for product-driven experiences. We’re seeing a new generation of founders building the future of how culture is created, consumed, and monetised - and that future is worth backing with high conviction,” said Sitar Teli, Managing Partner at Connect Ventures.

“Now is the moment when bold vision matters most; it’s time to invest in arts and culture and shift our perspective,” agreed Adama Sanneh, Moleskine Foundation.

Over the past five years, CultTech has cultivated a thriving network of over 70 accelerated startups, 140+ experts and mentors, and more than 100 investors and partners across Europe and beyond. Investor interest in creative-tech is on the rise, as shown by two recent success stories: Claimy, from the current cohort, secured €1.5M to address missing royalty payments in the music industry, while Amuseapp, an AI-driven audio platform from the previous batch.

On a joint mission to empower innovators

The Summit also received strong support from key institutional partners, including EIT Culture & Creativity, which champions the growth of Europe’s cultural and creative industries, and the Vienna Business Agency, dedicated to empowering local founders and businesses through targeted support and innovation initiatives.

A dynamic showcase of 7 startup pitches set the stage for an inspiring finale at the EIT Culture & Creativity Accelerator Demo Day, held as part of the Summit. The ventures presented a wide range of solutions – from regaining AI governance for cities, to sustainable textiles made from natural dyes, and innovative tools designed to help children sleep better. Together, they reflected the community’s innovative spirit and alignment with CultTech's core values of creativity, sustainability, and impact.