Bits & Pretzels 2025 runs from September 29 to October 1. You'll meet 7,500 participants – including 1,500 investors. Set clear goals for yourself, such as contacts, knowledge, or deals. And whether you're interested in founding a company, a startup, or an investor – Bits & Pretzels 2025 is one of the most important events for anyone looking to expand their network in Munich, and the Munich Startup Lounge at Bits is a great first stop.
Use the Munich Startup Lounge
You will find us with the Munich Startup Lounge in Hall B0 (turn right into the hall at the beginning). Together with munich business, the economic development agency of the state capital Munich, We provide an overview: What does Munich have to offer for startups? Who should you talk to if you're new to the Munich ecosystem? The Economic Development Agency explains startup formalities, funding opportunities and financing assistance, the Munich location, including available space and startup centers, as well as social and impact startups.
You'll find most of Munich's relevant ecosystem players right in the Munich Startup Lounge on Tuesday, September 30th, at 11 a.m., because that's where our "Meet the Ecosystem" event will take place. From accelerators and startup programs like UnternehmerTUM Xpreneurs, TUM Venture Labs, and UVC Partner to startup incubators like WERK1, Gate, and MTZ, and other supporters like Medialab Bayern, Baystartup, Start2Group, Gründerland Bayern, Invest in Bavaria, Bayern Innovativ, and the Munich Innovation Ecosystem, they all support startups.
Our editorial team also brings the new video podcast format Pitch & People with: We're offering a one-hour special edition at Bits. If you're a Munich-based startup looking to gain more visibility, join us in the lounge on Monday, September 29, at 10 a.m. – first come, first served.
How-to: How to plan Bits & Pretzels 2025 smart
Set your schedule before the doors open. Use the agenda and the app to schedule personal appointments and determine meeting points. Day 1 is Monday, not Sunday as in previous years, and, like Day 2, will take place at the ICM, and Day 3 will be at the Schottenhamel Festival Hall at the Wiesn.
Tip: Side Events often provide the best conversations. Most side events are open, but some are invitation-only. Many of them also take place outside of the trade fair. This means that for many side events, you don't even need an official Bits ticket to attend, but you'll need to allow extra time to get there.
For those who prefer a more spontaneous approach, the matchmaking area at the trade fair offers valuable insights, speed dating, and helpful contacts. Liquid Networking at the Wiesn also offers open tables with industry and topic focuses, in addition to the popular Table Captains. Incidentally, the networking will be interrupted once so you can swap tables. Meanwhile, it's worth taking a look at the Chapel Gallery. That's where we'll be awarding the €5,000 prize. Munich Startup Special Prize to the best Munich startup at Bits!
Recommendations by role: Panels & side events that are worthwhile
Are you interested in starting a business?
If you haven't founded a company yet, learn through formats like masterclasses. Speed datings are also worthwhile, for example, to meet potential co-founders, as well as the startup exhibition and the many pitch contests. Here, you can see ideas presented by founders, compare ideas, learn how to prepare for pitches, and network.
Side events that fit well:
- The Founders Run will take place on September 28, 2025. The meeting point is on the Isar River, where (future) founders will run a 10K together, with networking and short pitch stops before enjoying an after-work beer. It's the perfect way to kick off the trade fair.
- The after-party in the Werksviertel on September 29th is also a great opportunity to get into conversation.
Have you already founded a startup?
If you have already founded a startup, the panel on the Inspiration Stage on September 29th at 10:50 a.m. could be exactly your topic: “United in Innovation: A Real European Market for Start-ups and Scaleups? “A Franco-Bavarian Initiative for a Stronger European Startup Ecosystem”Here, leading figures from politics and the startup scene discuss the internationalization of startups in Europe.
Side events that will take you further:
- Thematic ecosystem events like "Connecting Industries – For a Resilient Europe" bring you close to politics, industry, and scaling topics. The same applies to Founder's Fuel-up 2025, organized by the Startup Association, which is ideal for B2B startups that are already a bit further along. Impact After Hours, on the other hand, is aimed at impact founders (all mentioned: access after registration).
Are you an investor?
The Investor Summit brings together the topics for you: efficient deal flow scouting, international speakers, and discussions on valuation, regulatory, and expansion topics. However, keeping an open ear and keeping an eye on the app are just as important for getting to know new startups.
