ABout the founder

Martin Ho is one of the most influential figures in the international art and hospitality scene. Born in Vietnam and raised in Vienna, he blends Asian heritage with European sophistication. This dual cultural background shapes his artistic vision, entrepreneurial approach, and the diversity of his ventures.

At just 19, Ho took his first bold step into the restaurant world, opening DOTS Experimental Sushi on Vienna’s Mariahilferstrasse. Years ahead of its time, it was Austria’s first restaurant to fuse avant-garde sushi with art and design. In 2009, he launched his second venue, DOTS im Brunnerhof, which quickly became a meeting point for Vienna’s creative scene.

In 2011, Ho opened his own art gallery in the heart of Vienna, followed in 2013 by the now-legendary Memberclub X—still regarded as one of Austria’s most exclusive venues, frequented by prominent figures from the worlds of art, business, and politics. In 2015, he introduced VIEiPEE, Austria’s first hip-hop club, and a year later acquired the iconic Pratersauna, one of the country’s best-known techno clubs.

Today, Ho operates a broad portfolio of gastronomy and hospitality ventures across Austria and internationally. Beyond hospitality, he is active in the diamond and luxury watch trade, running exclusive Jacob & Co. boutiques in both Vietnam and Austria.

As an art collector, Ho is renowned worldwide. His expertise lies in Chinese art and porcelain, where he has built a collection considered exceptional among connoisseurs. At the same time, his holdings include works by some of the most celebrated names in contemporary art—Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Joseph Beuys, Damien Hirst, Arnulf Rainer, Erwin Wurm, Franz West, Daniel Richter, Nobuyoshi Araki, Julian Khol, Russell James, KAWS, David LaChapelle, Mario Testino, and Virgil Abloh. He also champions experimental and conceptual artists such as Atelier van Lieshout, Martin Grandits, Gilbert Bretterbauer, Puber, Clemens Wolf, Tomak, Steven Banken, Norbert Brunner, Heidi Popovic, Edward Crowell, Jona Cerwinske, Petra Kazinyan, Gelitin, Rankin, ROA, AES+F, Tim White-Sobiesky, Frank Worth, Sebastian Bieniek, Jonathan Meese and Max Piva.

Through carefully curated exhibitions, international collaborations, and exclusive events, Ho builds cultural bridges between East and West. His reputation rests on a rare combination of expertise, entrepreneurial courage, and visionary instinct for emerging trends long before they reach the mainstream. Whether as a collector, host, entrepreneur, or connector, Martin Ho has a unique ability to merge art, culture, and lifestyle into a distinctive experience.