Bits & Pretzels, the three-day festival for all founders, those interested in starting a business, and investors, taking place from September 25 to 27, 2016, at the International Congress Center in Munich, aims to bring together more than 5,000 participants from all over the world for Oktoberfest this year to exchange ideas with like-minded people from the digital economy about the latest innovations and trends in the industry. In addition to exciting keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops, this year's program will offer a special supporting program especially for startups. One of the highlights will be the pitch competition.
The first two days of Bits & Pretzels will feature a variety of high-profile keynotes and presentations from successful founders in the digital scene. In addition to Nathan Blecharczyk (Co-Founder & CTO Airbnb), the first confirmed speakers include Mitchell Baker (Executive Chairwoman Mozilla), Steve Hafner (Co-Founder & CEO KAYAK), Riccardo Zacconi (Co-Founder & CEO King Digital Entertainment), and Daniel Graf (Head of Marketplace Uber). Exciting workshops and panel discussions round out the program.
Table Captains hijack Wiesnzelt
In addition to the conference with presentations and exciting startup content, the tried-and-tested "Table Captain" networking concept will once again be taking place on the third day of the event in the Oktoberfest tent at the Wiesn. Participants can choose in advance, on a first-come, first-served basis, which Table Captain they would like to sit with to exchange experiences. Among those present will be Ruth Fend (Editor-in-Chief of Business Punk), Jens Müffelmann (CEO of Axel Springer Digital Ventures), Florian Gschwandtner (Co-Founder of Runtastic), and Sonja Schwetje (Editor-in-Chief of n-tv).
Pitch winner awaits final on Necker Island
In addition to the “Startup Academy” with specific lectures for founders from the initial phase to the exit, one of the other highlights – the pitch competition – will see startups from six different topic clusters (Sophisticated IoT, Fast Mobility, Big Money, Future Commerce, Smart Company and Hot Lifestyle) compete against each other in pitch sessions.
The winner will be chosen at the end of the second day of the event in the grand pitch finale on the main stage. The prizes include a visit to Sir Richard Branson's island and participation in the final round of the Extreme Tech Challenge on Necker Island. The presentations will be judged by a select jury consisting of the industry's top VCs, who will be announced within the next few weeks.
All interested startups can apply for the pitch competition until August 15.
