Austrian Health Forum

What Austrian Health Forum does

The Austrian Health Forum (AHF), founded in 2018 in Vienna by Hans Harrer, Christoph Hörhan, and Thomas Zembacher, is a non-profit interdisciplinary network operating as a convening platform for the Austrian healthcare sector rather than a technology company. It organizes two flagship annual congresses — AHF-Schladming (three-day, ~400 attendees, EUR 1,995 ticket) and AHF-Gastein (two-day, ~200+ attendees, EUR 990 ticket) — supplemented by shorter AHF-NetUps networking events in Vienna and a podcast series spanning three seasons on topics such as chronic illness, resilience, and future healthcare reform. Its core "product" is curated dialogue among ministries (BMASGPK), federal states, social insurance bodies (ÖGK, SVS), chambers (Ärztekammer, Apothekerkammer), research institutes (GÖG, AIT), patient organizations, and pharmaceutical/medtech sponsors, producing reform checklists and policy recommendations rather than software or technology outputs.

The organization monetizes through two streams: per-event paid ticket sales for the congresses (with reduced rates for NGOs/NPOs, students, and free media accreditation) and tiered corporate sponsorships from pharmaceutical majors (Sanofi-Aventis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GSK, Janssen-Cilag, Roche Austria, Vifor Pharma, Fresenius Kabi, FOPI, Intuitive Surgical) and institutional partners (Caritas, Wirtschaftskammer Wien, AK Wien). A 1,000+ subscriber expert newsletter serves as the mid-funnel engagement layer, while LinkedIn and YouTube provide top-of-funnel reach. The nine-person core team manages event production, partnership development, and content operations, with no proprietary technology stack, software products, or AI-driven platform — AHF's value lies entirely in its convening authority and the curated network of decision-makers it has assembled over seven years.

Name

Austrian Health Forum

Legal name

Austrian Health Forum

Website

https://austrianhealthforum.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Austrian Health Forum is a Vienna-based, non-profit interdisciplinary network that convenes Austrian healthcare policymakers, providers, researchers, and industry sponsors through annual congresses in Schladming and Bad Hofgastein, NetUps networking events, and a podcast series. It serves as a neutral dialogue and reform-recommendation platform for the Austrian health system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Events and Conferences

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Medical, Scientific & Healthcare Congress Organizers (THAHACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medical & Health Sciences Congresses (THAHAJAA), Healthcare & Medical Congresses (MPAGAGAF), Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK), Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Healthcare networking events
• Medical congresses Austria
• Healthcare policy forums
• Interdisciplinary health conferences
• Healthcare stakeholder engagement

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Congress Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from paid congress attendance. AHF-Gastein 2026 tickets priced at EUR 990 (net + 20% VAT), AHF-Schladming 2027 tickets at EUR 1,995 (net + 20% VAT). Discounts available for NGOs/NPOs and students. Free attendance for accredited journalists.
2. Sponsorship and Partnership: Corporate sponsors and partners provide financial and organizational support in exchange for visibility and access to the AHF network of healthcare decision-makers. Multiple tiered sponsorship packages appear to be offered based on partner listings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Austrian Health Forum is a non-profit interdisciplinary network that organizes healthcare congresses (AHF-Schladming with ~400 attendees, AHF-Gastein with ~200+ attendees), networking events (AHF-NetUps), and a podcast series focused on shaping the future of the Austrian healthcare system. It sells paid congress tickets and secures corporate sponsorships to fund its role as a neutral convener of healthcare decision-makers, professionals, researchers, and patient representatives.

Product overview

Austrian Health Forum is an interdisciplinary network of experts from science, practice, business, and technology working to shape the future of Austria's healthcare system. The organization operates through three main offerings: AHF-Kongresse (annual congresses in Schladming and Gastein), AHF-NetUps (network update events), and AHF-Podcast (a content platform with three seasons). These formats serve as platforms for dialogue and collaboration rather than software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AHF-Schladming: Annual congress held in Schladming focusing on topics spanning the complexity of the entire healthcare system
• AHF-Gastein
• AHF-NetUps
• AHF-Podcast

Products and services

• AHF-Kongresse (AHF-Schladming) Annual healthcare congress held in Schladming, bringing together approximately 400 experts from healthcare, science, and medicine to discuss and develop solutions for Austria's healthcare system. The congress covers the complexity of the entire healthcare system with keynotes, discussions, and workshops. AHF-Schladming 2027 tickets priced at EUR 1,995 (net + 20% VAT).
• AHF-Gastein Annual healthcare congress held in Bad Hofgastein, attracting over 200 experts and decision-makers from healthcare, business, technology, and policy. Functions as a 'Healthaton' that zooms into selected focus topics of the Austrian healthcare system. AHF-Gastein 2026 tickets priced at EUR 990 (net + 20% VAT).
• AHF-NetUps Network update events (NetUps) bringing together innovators, experts, and decision-makers from the AHF network to exchange on current healthcare topics and trends. Shorter networking events held in Vienna venues (Parliament, Urania, Palais Berg) with a relaxed atmosphere and interactive presentations and discussions.
• AHF-Podcast Multi-season podcast series exploring topics affecting Austria's healthcare system, featuring conversations with thought leaders, experts, and decision-makers. Includes three seasons: Season 1 on chronic illness during Corona, Season 2 on resilience and innovation, and Season 3 on 'Zukunft statt Krise' (Future Instead of Crisis). Distributed via website and podcast platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1000 experts follow the AHF newsletter and actively engage in shaping the Austrian healthcare system
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Caritas ÖsterreichcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial organization partner providing support for healthcare and social services. Listed as a sponsor/partner supporting AHF events and initiatives.
• Demox ResearchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerResearch partner supporting AHF activities.
• Fresenius KabiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare company partner supporting AHF events.
• Sanofi-Aventis GmbHcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor pharmaceutical company listed as sponsor/partner of the AHF congress.
• Sozialversicherungsanstalt der Selbständigen (SVS)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial insurance institution for self-employed individuals, partner supporting AHF initiatives.
• AGES MedizinmarktaufsichtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian Medicines and Medical Devices Agency. Key stakeholder in healthcare regulation participating in AHF discussions on eHealth and pharmaceutical legislation.
• Österreichische Ärztekammer (Austrian Medical Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical chamber providing DFP (Continuing Medical Education) accreditation for AHF congresses. Key strategic partner for physician engagement.
• Österreichische Apothekerkammer (Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of pharmacists supporting AHF podcast and events. President Ulrike Mursch-Edlmayr featured as podcast guest.
• Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian Public Health Institute. Managing director Herwig Ostermann regularly participates in AHF events and discussions.
• IT-Services der Sozialversicherung GmbH (ITSV)coreTechnology or IntegrationIT services provider for Austrian social insurance. CEO Hubert Wackerle and digitalization coordinator Michael Hackl participate in AHF events discussing eHealth and digital transformation.
• FOPI (Forum der forschenden pharmazeutischen Industrie)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation of research-based pharmaceutical companies in Austria. President Ute Van Goethem participates in AHF discussions on pharmaceutical policy and innovation.
• ELGA GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationOperator of Austria's electronic health record system (ELGA). CEO Stefan Sabutsch participates in AHF discussions on digital health infrastructure.
• Bristol-Myers SquibbminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company supporting AHF podcast as sponsor.
• GlaxoSmithKlineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company supporting AHF podcast as sponsor.
• Janssen-CilagminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company (Johnson & Johnson) supporting AHF podcast as sponsor.
• Roche AustriaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company supporting AHF podcast as sponsor.
• Vifor Pharma Österreich GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company supporting AHF podcast as sponsor.
• Wirtschaftskammer WienminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVienna Chamber of Commerce supporting AHF podcast as sponsor.
• Österreichische Plattform PatientensicherheitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian Platform for Patient Safety. President Brigitte Ettl participates in AHF discussions on healthcare quality and patient safety.
• Alles Clara GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital health solution provider supported by ERSTE Stiftung, partner of AHF.
• AK Wien (Arbeiterkammer Wien)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVienna Chamber of Labour, represented by Wolfgang Panhölzl who leads the Social Insurance department and participates in AHF discussions.
• AIT Austrian Institute of TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationAustrian research institute for technology. Scientists like Angelika Rzepka participate in AHF discussions on digital health information systems.
• Bundesministerium für Arbeit, Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz (BMASGPK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian Federal Ministry for Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection. CMO/Section Chief Katharina Reich and State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig participate in AHF events.
• Intuitive SurgicalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical technology company (surgical robotics) supporting AHF events.
• NÖ Gesundheits- und SozialfondscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLower Austria Health and Social Fund. CEO Volker Knestel participates in AHF discussions on healthcare funding and reform.
• Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian Health Insurance. Chairman Peter McDonald and labor representative Andreas Huss participate in AHF discussions on healthcare financing and reform.
• ÖGKV (Österreichischer Gesundheits- und Krankenpflegeverband)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian Health and Nursing Association. President Elisabeth Potzmann participates in AHF discussions on nursing and healthcare workforce.
• Physio AustriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian Physical Therapy Association. President Constance Schlegl participates in AHF events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• European Health Forum Gastein: An annual European health policy conference held in Bad Hofgastein, Austria. AHF-Gastein is explicitly positioned as a 'Pre-Conference of European Health Forum Gastein,' making it the closest comparable event organizer in the same geography and thematic niche.
• World Health Summit: Annual global health conference held in Berlin that convenes policymakers, academics, and industry around healthcare-system reform. Comparable to AHF in its interdisciplinary, policy-driven format and stakeholder mix.
• Aspen Institute Health Strategy Group: US-based non-profit convening senior healthcare leaders around system reform and innovation. Comparable to AHF as a small, non-profit, high-trust convener focused on cross-stakeholder dialogue rather than trade-show scale.

Regional players

• Deutscher Krankenhaustag (German Hospital Congress): Germany's leading hospital congress held alongside the MEDICA trade fair in Düsseldorf. Comparable as a national-level healthcare congress bringing together providers, payers, and policymakers — AHF's DACH neighbour and natural cross-border reference point.
• Swiss Healthcare Forum: Annual interdisciplinary healthcare congress held in Switzerland for decision-makers from politics, hospitals, industry, and academia. Closest direct analogue to AHF in the German-speaking healthcare-policy forum category.
• Bundesärztekammer (German Medical Association) Events: Germany's federal medical chamber organizes the annual Deutscher Ärztetag and various CME-accredited medical forums. Comparable to AHF in the role of a physician-chamber-affiliated convening platform for healthcare policy dialogue in the DACH region.

Broad incumbents

• HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society): Global convener of healthcare IT and digital-health conferences (e.g., HIMSS Global Health Conference). Comparable as a much larger healthcare conference operator with overlapping themes (eHealth, digital transformation) that AHF addresses.
• World Economic Forum (Health initiatives): Hosts the annual Davos meeting with a major health and healthcare-system track. Comparable to AHF in convening cross-sector leaders (government, industry, academia) to shape healthcare-system reform, though at a much larger global scale.

BROAD_INCINCUMBENTs

• Messe Düsseldorf (MEDICA): The world's largest medical trade fair, held annually in Düsseldorf with a companion congress program. Comparable as a healthcare congress-and-exhibition organizer at much greater scale and with broader international scope than AHF.

Others

• Senat der Wirtschaft (Senate of Economy): Austrian non-profit of entrepreneurs and decision-makers that originally organized the first Austrian Health Forum in 2019 at Krallerhof in Leogang. Comparable as the institutional predecessor/sponsor of AHF and a model for its interdisciplinary, value-driven convening approach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJAW5LhxxZdn4pR7GNP2hWQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/austrianhealthforum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Austrian Health Forum