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U-Shin Buechelhofer-Kim

Tech Founder · Coach · Communication Strategist

Former NYC actor and Hollywood talent agent, now based in Vienna. U-Shin spent four years figuring out how ViennaUP actually works, not from the stage but from the room, showing up alone, getting it wrong, and eventually getting it right. He founded Office Spiel to bring performance, presence, and human connection into the founder world. PrepUP is everything he learned, built into one program so you do not need four years to figure it out yourself. www.pitchtastic.eu

Aaron Windfield

Startup Coach & Creative Strategist

Aaron is a 2x Techstars entrepreneur with one exit, one invaluable failure, and products used by over 450 million people. He has built and advised companies across music tech, mental health, and creative tech, and negotiated deals with SoundCloud, Nestlé, and Tiffany & Co. He built Morning Sloth because founders need more than strategy. They need accountability, momentum, and someone who has been in the room and knows what it actually takes. That is what he brings to PrepUP. www.kemiconnect.com

Leonhard Pessl

Organizational Developer · Leadership Coach · Morning Sloth

Leo has spent a decade helping people figure out where they are and where they want to go. His focus is how people grow inside startups, and his mission is bringing joy into professional life. He joins PrepUP because founders do their best work when they are moving with clarity, not anxiety. That is exactly what he helps with. Also known for misplaced jokes in professional settings. You have been warned. https://startup.morningsloth.com/

Kasia Sadowska

AI Product Engineer · Startup Mentor · FutureHabits.Tech

Kasia helps founders turn ideas into working products, fast. She works with founders, innovation teams, and accelerator programs across fintech, sustainability, travel, and manufacturing. Her approach is practical: structured product thinking, modern AI tools, and hands-on execution. Ship early, learn fast, build things that actually work. She joins PrepUP to help you turn your story into something you can show people before ViennaUP even begins. https://futurehabits.tech/

Toma Molerov

Coach · Author · Community Builder

Toma helps ambitious people get out of their own way and show up as themselves in the room. Not a polished version. Just you. He has worked with more than 125 individuals and teams, written 5 books including an international bestseller, and built programs reaching over 6,000 students. He knows what it takes to walk into a room full of strangers and make it feel like yours. That is exactly what he is going to help you do. https://tomamolerov.com/

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FAQ

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What makes Festival PrepUp different from a typical pitch workshop?

Festival PrepUp is not just about polishing a pitch deck or rehearsing a stage talk. It is designed to help founders prepare for the real demands of ViennaUP: explaining what they do clearly, navigating events strategically, handling meetings with confidence, and following up in a way that creates traction. The focus is not only on what you say, but where you say it, how you say it, and what happens next.

Is this only for founders who are pitching on stage?

No. This is for founders who want to make the most of ViennaUP, whether they are speaking publicly, taking investor meetings, building partnerships, or simply trying to show up more clearly in the right rooms. If you need to talk about your company with confidence and make the week count, it is relevant.

What will I actually leave with?

You will leave with a sharper way to talk about what you do, a clearer strategy for which events and meetings matter most, a stronger introduction for networking, and a practical follow-through plan for after the festival. The goal is to leave more focused, more prepared, and more ready to act.

How does U-Shin teach?

U-Shin combines pitch coaching, communication strategy, performance-based techniques, and live practice. That means the work is practical, active, and built around real conversations rather than abstract theory. The emphasis is on helping founders sound clear, credible, and natural, not rehearsed or robotic.

I’m introverted or not naturally good at networking. Is this still for me?

Yes. In fact, it is especially useful for founders who do not enjoy traditional networking. The approach is built to help people prepare with more structure, clarity, and purpose, so they do not have to rely on charm, improvisation, or social energy alone. The goal is not to turn you into someone else. It is to help you communicate well as yourself.

Will there be live practice and feedback?

You’ll work with all three of us. Yes. Festival PrepUp includes live practice so you can test your pitch, work on your introduction, and prepare for real conversations before ViennaUP begins. The point is to move from ideas in your head to language you can actually use in the room.

Is this helpful if I already know ViennaUP well?

Yes. Even if you have attended before, the value comes from preparing more intentionally. Most people still arrive with a vague plan, a loose pitch, and inconsistent follow-through. Festival PrepUp helps you tighten the strategy, sharpen the message, and use the week more deliberately.

Who is this best for?

Festival PrepUp is best for founders, startup teams, and early-stage operators who want to show up to ViennaUP more prepared. It is especially useful for people who want to improve how they pitch, network, prioritize events, and turn a busy week into real momentum.

Is this more about communication or strategy?

Both. The communication side helps you explain your company more clearly and show up with stronger presence. The strategy side helps you decide where to go, who to meet, and how to use your time well. The combination is what makes the experience useful.

Why is follow-through part of the program?

Because a strong week means very little if nothing happens after it. Festival PrepUp includes follow-through planning so you can turn conversations into next steps while everything is still fresh. That is often where the real value of ViennaUP gets won or lost.

FAQ