Selma Prodanovic

Named Startup-Grande-Dame by the media, Selma is a passionate entrepreneur and globally celebrated inspiring keynote speaker who loves sharing her abundant professional experience and exciting personal story with audiences worldwide.

​For the last 20 years, she considerably shaped the startup and angel investing ecosystem in Europe. She was elected “TOP 100: Europe’s most influential women in the startup & VC space” in 2022 & 2023, while prominent media outlets in over 40 countries (Forbes, Financial Times, Elle, ORF, Aljazeera) covered her expertise and activities.

She proudly serves as Vice-President of the European Business Angel Network (EBAN). She is the founder & Board Member of the Austrian Angel Investors Association (aaia) and the global SDG platform 1MillionStartups, while she launched a dozen successful brands with her boutique consultancy Brainswork.

Besides her passion for entrepreneurship, she is a fervent advocate for female empowerment and mental fitness. For her innovative approach to business and commitment to entrepreneurship and social change, she received numerous awards such as the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award and EBAN Best Pioneering Investment Initiative.

​Above all, Selma is happily married to her first love and the proud mother of two fantastic young adults.