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REDpreneur Global Updates
REDpreneur Housewarming Party
In our last newsletter we announced our move to the new REDpreneur homebase at the Humanitarian Innovation Lab (HIL) of the Austrian Red Cross. Celebrating this move, we have had the pleasure to host a housewarming party with our dear community.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the party on February 25, 2025, at the HIL in Vienna. We feel incredibly fortunate to have our new base in this dynamic, shared space dedicated to fostering humanitarian innovation within the Austrian Red Cross.
It was a pleasure to celebrate this milestone with so many inspiring colleagues, supporters, partners and friends of REDpreneur. From engaging conversations to exploring our new space, the evening was filled with energy, ideas, and great company. We are grateful to be part of such a fantastic community and excited for what’s ahead at the HIL. Let’s keep the momentum going! ❤️ |
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Global Master Class 2025
This spring, we launched the third Global REDpreneur Master Class with 14 inspiring Venture teams from across the globe, including groups from Armenia, Jamaica, Slovakia, Lebanon, Austria, Syria, North Macedonia, Guyana, Afghanistan and Ethiopia.
Over the course of 12 weeks, these Ventures have worked to become next-stage ready, supported by a dynamic mix of online learning, expert coaching, two online workshops and one hybrid workshop.
From April 23 to 25, 2025, we came together for the hybrid Workshop at the Humanitarian Innovation Lab of the Austrian Red Cross in Vienna.
Many teams joined in person, while others participated virtually. The days were filled with meaningful conversations, hands-on sessions, and space to reflect on each Venture’s path forward.
A true highlight was our evening reception, featuring quick Venture pitches, engaging discussions with our partners and funders (Austrian Development Cooperation and ERSTE Foundation), and inspiring exchanges between our colleagues from the Austrian Red Cross and the workshop participants.
🎥 Check out our video recap of the Master Class Workshop |
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Master Class - Impact Safari
An Impact Safari is a guided learning visit that takes participants into the field to see, feel and understand how social impact is created on the ground. These immersive experiences are vital because context matters. They allow us to learn how income-generating activities are implemented directly from local champions within their unique environments. During an Impact Safari, we explore the interplay between mission and market, the stakeholder ecosystem, different organizational setups and funding models, as well as the obstacles and boosters of impact.
On April 24, 2025, the REDpreneur team hosted a group excursion for participants of the Master Class, as part of the workshop in Vienna. This unique experience allowed us to explore how social innovation works in practice.
The first stop of this Impact Safari was at the Wiener Rotes Kreuz (Austrian Red Cross, Vienna branch), where we learned how Emergency Medical Services are structured to deliver both health impact and financial sustainability. From patient transport and emergency button services to event ambulance support and first aid training, the visit showcased how operational excellence meets humanitarian mission.
The second stop was at Café Vollpension, an intergenerational café where half the staff is over 55. The café addresses isolation and old-age poverty, blending social purpose with strong business design. A compelling example that impact must be both well made and well meant.
Where should our next Impact Safari take us? Follow REDpreneur on social media and reach out to us if you have suggestions for inspiring purpose-driven Ventures we should explore. |
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Master Class - Culmination Event
On June 24, 2025, we marked the successful conclusion of this training cycle with an online culmination event, including pitches from every Venture in front of an expert panel composed of Mary Apolot (SINA Africa), Viktoria Mianovska (The Possible Ukraine) and Hayfa Khalidy-Beyhum (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies). The session welcomed over 50 individuals including our dear participants, funders, partners, coaches, student coaches, Red Cross Red Crescent colleagues and more.
Congratulations to the Ventures. It was a pleasure to see how far each has come. We end this cycle with a smile and a heavy heart and look forward to continuing supporting them in their journey. We thank all the experts that have supported the Ventures throughout the last months of training and the expert panel for their valuable input. We also thank the funders (Austrian Development Cooperation and ERSTE Foundation) of the REDpreneur Program and the partners (New Paradigm Ventures, Relevant Ventures and Impact Hub Vienna) that have been with us for so many years. |
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| The REDpreneur team from the Austrian Red Cross, New Paradigm Ventures, Relevant Ventures and Impact Hub Vienna wrapping up after the culmination event. A heartfelt thank you to all involved for successfully carrying out this training cycle.
Here is what our participants from
the Global Master Class 2025 are saying:
"Thank you so much, REDpreneur team and fellow participants! This experience has been truly inspiring, from the expert insights to the meaningful connections we’ve built along the way. I’m walking away with new ideas, tools, and motivation to push forward impactful solutions in my community."
- Sara Damer, Syrian Arab Red Crescent,
from the SARC Smart Application Venture.
"This, together with the Training Academy, is truly life changing!"
- Róbert Furiel, Saplinq, o.z.,
from the Elpis Centre Venture. |
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REDpreneur at Events
Visiting the Impact Days
and INSIDEOUT Summit 2025
At the start of May, the REDpreneur Team visited the Impact Days (ID) - Impact Hub Vienna’s annual flagship event, bringing together the impact ecosystem - entrepreneurs, business leaders, policy makers, civil society leaders and other impact drivers for two days of inspiration, collaboration and action.
This year’s ID focused on how we can create impact in a fragmented world. We bonded with our partners and collaborators, and had the pleasure of broadening our network with those who share our passion for positive and sustainable impact.
In the same week, we visited the INSIDEOUT Summit hosted by tech2impact, where visionaries, changemakers and forward-thinkers come together to explore the intersection of inner and outer innovation.
Thank you to the organizers for bringing together a community responsible for such valuable work, and for facilitating such central hubs for the impact ecosystem. Thank you to everyone involved, we look forward to further cooperation! |
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REDpreneur Ukraine Updates |
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RED HUB Opening in Kyiv
A milestone moment for REDpreneur and the future of social entrepreneurship in Ukraine. On June 19, 2025, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society officially opened the RED HUB in Kyiv. The RED HUB is an innovative space, created to support entrepreneurs who are driving Ukraine’s recovery and long-term resilience.
With over 50 participants, including officials from the Ministry of National Unity of Ukraine and the State Employment Service, the event was a meaningful step toward sustainable development and economic renewal.
Participants explored the key challenges and opportunities faced by small businesses in Ukraine and took part in powerful discussions on transitioning from humanitarian response to economic empowerment as well as the evolving role of business education in that journey.
💬 “We are opening not just a hub, but a springboard for a new wave of entrepreneurs building responsible businesses and a strong nation,” said Olena Skrypnikova, Head of the Innovative Financing and Cash Transfer Programming Unit at the Ukrainian Red Cross Society.
RED HUB is a place where ideas grow into action, a platform that equips socially-minded entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge and community to create lasting impact.
We, at the Austrian Red Cross, are proud to support this important initiative through REDpreneur.UA, in partnership with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and with the generous support of Nachbar in Not.
Together, we are helping shape a future where business drives resilience, dignity and positive change in Ukraine. |
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From Ideas to Action
Local Social Enterprises Take Root
With support from REDpreneur in Ukraine, URCS branches are transforming innovative ideas into impactful, sustainable services.
📽️ In Mykolaiv, the local branch now operates a mobile ultrasound diagnostics service based in a hospital for conflict-affected communities. Developed as a REDpreneur supported social business, this initiative is featured in this short video.
🧠 In Nizhyn, Chernihiv region, the URCS branch has launched a paid mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) service, a step toward sustainable community care backed by REDpreneur.
These examples highlight REDpreneur’s mission: to blend humanitarian service with entrepreneurial tools to address urgent local needs in lasting ways. |
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Partnership with French Red Cross
Building on pilot successes, REDpreneur is now scaling up in partnership with the French Red Cross. The new phase focuses on enhancing the entrepreneurial capacity of URCS branches.
This year’s program includes:
- a Training Academy for 25 branches,
- a Master Class and mentorship series for 15 more,
- and seed funding for 10 teams to pilot income-generating models that meet local needs.
Training covers practical themes such as health and wellness, repair and recycling, and community innovation. The program officially began on June 3, 2025, bringing together committed teams from across Ukraine. We wish all participants success as they begin transforming ideas into impact |
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Empowering Individuals
Supporting Livelihoods Through REDpreneur
Beyond branch-based efforts, REDpreneur also focuses on supporting livelihoods and empowering individuals, especially those from conflict-affected communities, to build social businesses that create both income and impact.
On May 2, 2025, 24 participants completed their training journey by presenting their unique business plans developed in partnership with the Ukrainian Future business incubator. The Ventures cover issues such as inclusive food production, wellness, education, tech and manufacturing.
Among the businesses selected for seed funding are:
- a mobile fire extinguisher service,
- Sunshine Milk Studio: an inclusive food production space,
- SHPATIK: a liquid wallpaper manufacturer,
- a baby wellness center,
- and the ApiKhata community wellness complex.
Each project reflects strong social value, from supporting veterans and internally displaced persons to promoting inclusion and revitalizing local economies. The final pitch event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, signaling national interest in community-led business solutions.
🎥 Watch the second training cycle in action: Video
🎥 Revisit the first training cycle: Video
Meanwhile, a third training cycle is in progress and applications for a fourth training cycle have just closed. |
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Thank You!
REDpreneur is a program facilitated by the Austrian Red Cross, carried out by New Paradigm Ventures, Relevant Ventures and Impact Hub Vienna, with funding from the Austrian Development Agency, Nachbar in Not, ERSTE Foundation and Erste Social Finance Holding, supported by Vienna Insurance Group, Canadian Red Cross, Netherlands Red Cross, Spanish Red Cross, French Red Cross, Swiss Red Cross and more. |
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