Our Values

Let’s talk business. Let’s talk Vienna.

Diversity and transparency define our professional conduct.

Ethical principles guide us in what we do at the Vienna Business Agency. They define our engagement with target groups and partners and, internally, they serve as a compass in relations between our employees. Diversity, equal opportunities and transparency stand at the forefront of our commitment. These principles are applied in a variety of gender and diversity measures and in our dedicated compliance management system. We are driven by sustainability and resource efficiency, while climate and the environment feature as top priorities in our funding programmes. Sustainable project proposals earn additional points during the funding assessment process. 

In fulfilling our tasks and responsibilities, we are actively and visibly committed to offering equal opportunities to all. Diversity takes very high priority in our work.  Our aim is to provide best possible support to our target groups, regardless of gender, age, ethnic affiliation, marital status, disability, social origin, or philosophy of life. The Vienna Business Agency is committed to operating economically, efficiently, and transparently in line with ethical standards. Fairness, integrity, transparency and compliance are values that guide us in our daily activities.

Gender and diversity

For nearly two decades, the Vienna Business Agency has been pursuing a consistent gender mainstreaming policy with the object of preventing and putting right social inequalities between women and men. In 2017, this policy was broadened to include new diversity aspects and incorporated into the "Target groups in their diversity" initiative. The Vienna Business Agency aims to support, to the best of its ability, all target groups in all their manifestations of diversity and to systematically eliminate any existing discrimination. Equality of opportunity informs all our planning and decision-making. The Vienna Business Agency promotes women within the company, ensures gender equality in the company and makes women's careers visible. We have been awarded the equalitA seal of quality for this. 
To the extent possible, all our projects are designed to contribute to equality among all target groups. Diversity is a cornerstone of our funding programmes. Proposals that celebrate and further diversity earn additional points during the funding assessment process. 

Some examples are: 

  • Startup coaching in 17 languages
  • "CORE", a project that supports displaced persons in their endeavour to establish their own business in Vienna.
  • Ad hoc funding programmes and bonuses become available from time to time, and the Vienna Business Agency has been offering special consultations for female founders for many years, all in support of women in business. Ask for a consultation geared specifically to women entrepreneurs. 
  • Events and workshops tailored for children and adolescents explore the natural sciences and technology.
  • In the real estate sector, our focus is on diversity-friendly construction. 
  • The Vienna Business Agency supports diversity in its own team by providing flexible parental leave and part-time work arrangements, along with further training opportunities.

Diversity and Gender Officer

Porträt von Emira Abidi, eine Frau mit langen, dunklen gelockten Haaren
Emira Abidi
Startup Services

I assist founders in the early-stage realisation of their founding ideas and in networking the startup ecosystem. If you have any questions or need information on the Startup Grant, contact me. As Gender and Diversity Officer, I am the contact person for all diversity issues in order to promote diversity and equality at the Vienna Business Agency and for the Business location Vienna.

Startup Grant

 

Compliance

A graphic showing the process of filing a compliance request with Vienna Business Agency

Compliance management at the Vienna Business Agency is based on clear, clean and transparent processes. The number one priority is to back employees in their efforts to prevent misconduct and undesirable developments. The aim is to foster a sense of self-understanding (self-regulation and awareness creation) in each and every person, so as to ensure that the Vienna Business Agency, its member organisations, and employees act in accordance with the rules and do business in compliance with social values and in concordance with moral and ethical norm.

A key feature in the compliance management system employed by Vienna Business Agency is the ability to report professional misconduct and violations against internal regulations or applicable law anonymously through an internal electronic whistle-blower system.

Your reports will be followed up with the utmost diligence and care.

Compliance Officer

Portrait von Martin Pahr, ein Mann mit runder Brille
Martin Pahr
Legal ∣ Head of Department

As chief compliance officer, I work with my team to ensure that the many different tasks of the Vienna Business Agency and its subsidiaries are implemented in conformity with applicable laws, directives, and other regulatory requirements.

Compliance