In a world where innovation demands both agility and conviction, Valeria Foglar-Deinhardstein, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Loxotec GmbH (since May 2023) and Viedonna GmbH (since May 2020), stands as a distinctly dynamic force reshaping two critical sectors—veterinary health and women’s healthcare. Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, her entrepreneurial journey bridges science, society, and purpose in a way that feels not only contemporary but deeply human.
“I am a dynamic individual who thrives on engaging with multiple spheres of life simultaneously. Alongside my entrepreneurial work, I am deeply involved in voluntary and community activities—whether in my parish, NGO committees, Rotary, or the Brussels Alumni Club. I also served as a local representative in my district in recent years,” says Valeria.
She sees herself as a scanner personality—someone who draws strength from diversity, responsibility, and innovation. Founding her own ventures became the natural channel for this multidirectional drive, allowing her to work in a way that mirrors her nature: innovative, curious, and constantly evolving and moving forward.
Roots, Culture, and the Making of a Global Thinker
Valeria’s foundation is shaped by a deeply multicultural and multilingual upbringing. Raised in an Italian-Austrian family with strong entrepreneurial roots—her father built successful restaurants from scratch—she learned early the power of courage, creativity, and self-determination. Speaking German, English, French, and Italian fluently (with additional Russian and Spanish), she has always operated with an international lens.
Her academic path was equally intentional. Studying Business at Bocconi University in Milan, followed by a Master’s in Accounting and Finance at the University of Bath, she built a disciplined analytical framework to complement her instinctive entrepreneurial spirit. However, it was the values learned from her family—strong women who ran businesses, a grandmother who worked until she was 83, and a lineage of resilience—that truly prepared her to build, lead, and endure.
Motherhood: The Turning Point That Redefined Her Purpose
“Becoming a mother has had the most profound influence on my life. It gave me a level of focus, strength, and purpose that I did not have before. It also shifted my perspective: what once felt important suddenly appeared smaller. It clarified what truly matters,” she expressed.
“Motherhood also led me to a deeper spiritual grounding—believing in something greater than myself. Some call it faith, some call it purpose. For me, it was a powerful turning point that helped me find confidence and inner certainty in my decisions and direction. It allowed me to build my companies with a stronger sense of meaning, not just ambition,” she added.
Entering the Health & Biotechnology Space: A Path Shaped by Purpose
Her entry into the health and biotechnology landscape came from a blend of personal conviction and strategic clarity. “My path into the health and biotechnological sector evolved gradually, driven by both personal conviction and strategic opportunity. I have always known that I wanted to build something impactful—something that contributes to better health, care, and quality of life. When I discovered the potential of our core technology and saw how widely beneficial it could be—from wound healing in animals to infection control in hospitals and water safety in buildings—I understood there was a mission here worth dedicating myself to,” says Valeria.
“The pivotal moment came when I realized that innovation in healthcare and sanitation is not just about science, but about responsibility. I saw the possibility to reduce antibiotic resistance, improve animal welfare, and create safer environments for people. That was when I knew this was my path,” she added.
She always knew she would build a company; the question was only: which one, and when? Together with her co-founder, she explored several concepts before deciding to enter the veterinary health sector. Starting as lean sales agents, they quickly understood the market potential and the impact of HOCL-based solutions, and they transitioned into becoming full partners in Loxotec.
“From there, we built the company step by step: digitizing processes, introducing quality management, hiring and developing a team, and scaling production. Today, we are a major producer of HOCL solutions in the veterinary sector—fully bootstrapped,” says Valeria.
This moment marked the turning point. Valeria saw innovation not just as scientific progress but as a responsibility—to improve animal health, reduce antibiotic resistance, and make environments safer for both people and animals. Parallel to this, she began shaping Viedonna—an entirely new vision for women’s healthcare in Austria. For over two years, she has built alliances, negotiated with political and public health institutions, and co-designed a new care framework—interdisciplinary, efficient, and patient-centred. Today, Viedonna stands ready to redefine women’s healthcare with the opening of its first center in Vienna.
“I am an idea-driven person—my head is full of concepts, visions, and improvements. Not all will be realized, but those that serve real needs, with the right partners, and where the outcome improves quality of life—those are the ones I build,” says Valeria.
The Family Blueprint: Learning Entrepreneurship by Watching It Happen
“Much of my preparation came not from formal education but from observing entrepreneurship within my own family. My father grew up in a very poor household in Naples and built a successful restaurant business from nothing. His courage, creative drive, and belief that you build your own future shaped me profoundly,” shared Valeria.
“On the other hand, my mother and aunt came from a humble family where my grandmother was the breadwinner—a self-employed woman at a time when most women stayed at home. She worked until 83 and continued helping others with accounting and bureaucracy until her passing. The women in my family are not the stereotype of grandmothers baking at home. They are strong, independent, resilient, and deeply committed to creating something of their own,” she continues.
“This heritage taught me discipline, resilience, and a deep respect for hard work. My studies at Bocconi and the University of Bath equipped me with analytical and financial skills; my voluntary and political work taught me leadership and negotiation. But my roots taught me how to persevere, build, and grow,” she added.
Loxotec & Viedonna: Two Ventures, One Purpose
At first glance, Loxotec and Viedonna may appear like two very different ventures. Yet they share a common purpose: improving lives through meaningful innovation.
Loxotec GmbH
Focused on HOCL solutions for veterinary health, Loxotec aims to make animals healthier, support veterinarians, and combat antimicrobial resistance. As a fully bootstrapped company, it has become a leading producer of HOCL solutions, bringing a human-grade standard of care to the veterinary world—safe, biodegradable, and highly effective.
Viedonna GmbH
Viedonna exists to transform women’s health. Women have been underrepresented in clinical research and underserved within healthcare structures for decades. Viedonna addresses this gap by building a digitally enabled, interdisciplinary healthcare model designed by women, for women, centered on female-specific diseases, diagnostics, and care pathways.
Both companies aim to raise standards where the status quo is no longer acceptable.
What Loxotec & Viedonna Offer Today
Upcoming Highlights Include:
- The first Viedonna Women’s Health Center, opening in Vienna in 2026, is set to redefine female-centered healthcare.
- Loxovet, Loxotec’s retail and e-commerce launch, offering pet owners direct access to veterinary-grade products (www.loxovet.com). This marks a major step in making high-quality animal health solutions directly accessible to consumers.
- Continued expansion of production, digitization, and international distribution within the veterinary sector.
Overcoming Barriers: Regulatory Hurdles and Systemic Complexity
The early challenges were primarily regulatory. European regulatory complexity can significantly slow innovation and scale, and this remains a barrier even today. Having worked in Brussels and in politics, Valeria understands the intention while also seeing the practical cost. She strongly advocates for a harmonized European market that accelerates innovation rather than hindering it.
For Viedonna, working with the public health insurance fund brought similar layers of negotiation and system complexity. However, healthcare transformation requires patience, persistence, and long-term alliances. Another continuous challenge is organizational: building structures, processes, and teams that evolve as the company grows. The only way to manage this is to remain adaptive and solution-oriented.
Her motto remains uncompromising:
“‘Does not work’ does not exist. There is always a solution.”
Leading with Vision: Her Core Responsibilities
Valeria defines her leadership through three roles:
- Innovator: identifying needs and turning them into real solutions.
- Leader of people: developing teams, culture, and shared purpose.
- Activator: moving ideas into action, ensuring progress and momentum.
Beyond Business: Building Ecosystems, Not Just Companies
Beyond entrepreneurship, Valeria is deeply committed to strengthening communities and fostering meaningful networks. This commitment has shaped several impactful roles:
- Served as a candidate for the European Parliament, motivated by the need for forward-thinking policy that supports innovation and social cohesion.
- She continues to serve as the Chairperson of the Brussels Alumni Club, connecting professionals with EU experience, and continues to build Erfolgsschwestern, a women’s network founded on genuine cooperation and collective empowerment.
- She has also taken on a new national leadership role as part of the Presidium of the leading healthcare industry congress in Austria, https://www.gesundheitswirtschaft.at/kongress/ueberblick-2026/ organized by Springer Verlag.
- She organizes the Gran Ballo Italiano, a cultural and business event uniting leaders from Austria and Italy.
- Through Rotary, she supports fundraising initiatives for children and families in Austria.
- She is actively involved in the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, serving on several committees and contributing to entrepreneurship, innovation, and SME development. Additionally, she is involved in youth entrepreneurial organizations, supporting the next generation in building the courage, skills, and pathways needed to start and grow businesses.
- Her company is recognized as a finalist for the EY Scale-Up Award in Biotech and Health, which reflects its scientific credibility and commitment to sustainable growth.
“These highlights all share one common thread: I believe in building ecosystems, not just companies. I work to create spaces where collaboration thrives, where new ideas become reality, and where others are inspired and enabled to step into their own impact,” says Valeria.
Balance Through Rhythm, Not Separation
“For me, balance is about rhythm more than strict separation. I practice yoga in the morning, and I sleep early—usually by 9:30. These routines keep me grounded, calm, and creative. And if a routine stops working, I don’t abandon the concept—I adapt it. Flexibility is key,” shares Valeria.
The Road Ahead: Scaling Impact Across Europe
In the next two years, her focus is clear:
- Launch and scale Loxovet in Europe.
- Expand production and distribution in veterinary markets.
- Establish the first Viedonna center and finalize the operational and medical models to facilitate replication.
“My role is to guide strategy, secure partnerships, maintain clarity of purpose, and lead with courage. I will continue doing what I do best: building things that matter, shaping new systems, and ensuring that innovation translates into real impact,” assures Valeria.
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