What a night! A special thanks to Diaspora Business Hub for convening such an inspiring meeting.
During her keynote speech, Eser Akbaba took us on her colorful journey, from her humble beginnings as the daughter of working-class migrants to becoming one of the first journalists and TV moderators with a migration background in Austria. She showed how she embraced her triple heritage Turkish, Kurdish, and Austrian and turned it into a decisive advantage to build her brand and shape her unique perspective on multiculturalism, multilingualism, and diversity as a richness. In the face of adversity, she kept reinventing herself and challenging labels. She is a reminder that owning your voice is the first step toward empowerment as an entrepreneur.
Then, the business panel on “Breaking Barriers as Migration-Background Entrepreneurs in Austria” brought together four seasoned founders.
Kambis Kohansal, Head of Startup Services and Deputy Head of Founder Services at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, shared his personal journey and how living in the US shaped his perception of life and business. He emphasized the importance of mindset and openness to risk, key factors in succeeding as a founder. He also highlighted that statistics show migrant entrepreneurs make up the largest share of successful startups in Austria.
Beni Udenka, psychotherapist and founder of Mindcare Psychotherapy, pointed out that among all challenges, internal barriers are often the most difficult to overcome. In the face of adversity and prejudice, his approach is to remain untriggered by negative assumptions and instead challenge them constructively. Undefeated by his difficult circumstances as a young Nigerian student and now a rising entrepreneur, he inspired many in the African diaspora and beyond.
Miglena Hofer, business consultant and legal expert, shared the challenges she faced after moving to Austria and building a career while raising a family. Despite being rejected for being overqualified, she creatively identified gaps and provided value to underserved clients often overlooked in legal counseling. In her view, growing up in a politically unstable country became an advantage, as it trained her to thrive in situations that might have discouraged others.
Alan Ho, strategic brand designer, recounted his journey from Taiwan to Austria and how his internal drive to do more with his creative talents led him to found Ho & Co Design. He described his cultural difference as a strength, allowing him to connect with a niche market that identifies with him. By understanding their language, needs, and expectations, he positioned himself uniquely, while also emphasizing the power of networking and reaching new audiences to build a strong corporate brand.
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