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Bits & Pretzels 2025: Startup Europe meets in Munich

Bits & Pretzels is entering its 12th edition and is attempting to reinvent itself. Under the motto "Connecting Europe," the startup festival will become a platform for targeted exchange between scaleups, investors, and political decision-makers. From September 29 to October 1, 2025, around 7,500 participants – including 1,500 investors – will converge in Munich.

September 30, 2025 5 min reading time

The three founders Andy Bruckschlögl, Bernd Storm van's Gravesande, and Felix Haas opened Bits & Pretzels 2025 to a packed house. The startup festival presented a radically expanded concept that placed business relevance at its core. Stage time was reduced by 60 percent to create more space for direct exchange – for example, at roundtables, curated matching formats, or exclusive summits. Themed rooms for early-stage startups, female founders, CFOs, and corporate CEOs also provided even more depth and practical relevance. (Photo: Munich Startup)
Immediately after the official launch, Felix Haas and Niklas Zennström, founders and CEO of Atomico, will speak on the main stage about Europe's role in the global startup landscape. With the motto "Connecting Europe," Bits & Pretzels is positioning itself as a key event for the next phase of European innovation policy. Zennström stresses: "We must make Europe the best place in the world to build something." In light of AI, the climate crisis, and medical innovations, he warns: "We must not always follow everyone else's rules. We must act quickly and responsibly together." (Photo: Munich Startup)
The Startup Expo showcases the diversity of the European startup scene on both days. Visitors wander the aisles, discover new ideas, and engage in conversation with founders. Exhibitors alternate on Monday and Tuesday, so a total of over 300 startups will showcase their innovations at their own booth. Thus, Bits & Pretzels offers one of the largest platforms for visibility and exchange in Europe. (Photo: Munich Startup)
Meeting point for founders: In the Munich Startup Lounge we inform together with Munich Business, the economic development agency of the City of Munich, about everything the ecosystem has to offer. Visitors learn about the funding opportunities, financing assistance, and startup centers Munich has to offer – and who is best to talk to if you're new to the scene. The editorial team also presents the video podcast format Pitch & People In a special edition, interested startups will pitch live on camera. (Photo: Munich Startup)
And we're not the only ones pitching: Promising startups from across Europe will compete in the semifinals of the "European Pitch Contest." A founder will present their idea, while the deputy chair of the startup association, Magdalena Oehl, moderates the session. Overall, the top 50 startups are officially among the flagships of Bits & Pretzels 2025. The best 20 will compete in semifinals for a place in the grand finale – and the chance to pitch in front of thousands on the main stage on the second day. The best Munich startup from the field will also receive our Munich Startup Special Prize. (Photo: Munich Startup)
At the "Security, Sovereignty & Dual Use" panel, Marc Wietfeld (Arx Robotics), Will Blyth (Arondite), Leonard Wessendorff (Project Q), Jan-Hendrik Boelens (Alpine Eagle), and Amalia Contesi from the NATO Innovation Fund will discuss the future of European defense technologies. The threat situation is becoming increasingly clear, for example, due to drone incidents in Scandinavia, while the industry is increasingly moving away from dual-use models. The CEOs emphasize that Europe will remain a difficult market as long as governments only award small contracts. Their appeal: more courage, more risk-taking, and larger projects. They say they are building trust by working exclusively with European investors and only supplying their systems to European democracies and NATO partners. (Photo: Munich Startup)
Pure networking: Founders, investors, and decision-makers engage in conversation everywhere. Between sessions, pitches, and panels, Bits & Pretzels offers ample space for exchange, spontaneous encounters, and new partnerships. It's precisely these personal conversations that make the Founders Festival so special – they're where ideas, contacts, and collaborations emerge that have an impact beyond the trade fair days. (Photo: Munich Startup)
On stage for the panel "EXIST Startup Factories – Germany's New Innovation Engine" will be Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche, Helmut Schönenberger (UnternehmerTUM), Matthias Notz (Start2 Group), and other key ecosystem builders Adrian Thoma (Nxtgn), Marco Weicholdt (Boost), Thomas Kirchner (Proglove), and Katrin Stegmaier-Hermle (Balluff). The topic will be the establishment of ten new startup factories in Germany, modeled on the successful Munich model of UnternehmerTUM. The goal is not only to support the initial steps of founding companies, but also to sustainably establish regional startup ecosystems. The aim is to specifically promote talent throughout Germany and strengthen the national "startup family." Rich makes it clear that in order to regain competitiveness, it is important to trust people who are willing to take risks, “We need more risk, more optimism and less bureaucracy.” (Photo: Munich Startup)
For those who find too much change overwhelming at once: Don't worry, Bits & Pretzels won't be breaking with its most important traditions in 2025. The obligatory wheat beer carousel will not only remain an eye-catcher and a popular meeting place, but will also constantly remind all national and international visitors where the heart of startup Europe is: Munich. (Photo: Munich Startup)
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