Munich Startup: The IAA Mobility kicks off in Munich this week. Can you give us a brief overview of the topics being highlighted and the formats planned?
Christine von Breitenbuch: The IAA Mobility presents the future of mobility, where you can experience it hands-on and participate in the discussion. More than 1,000 exhibitors and speakers will showcase innovations and concepts. A total of over 700 exhibitors will be represented, including car brands, bicycle brands, key players in the tech industry, and all major suppliers. More than 100 world premieres will be presented at the IAA. And: The IAA Mobility 2021 will focus on the transformation to climate-neutral mobility as one of the most important global challenges.
Sustainable transformation of mobility
The most important formats for trade visitors are the 'IAA Mobility Summit' in the Munich exhibition halls and the 'IAA Mobility Conference' with four stages featuring over 500 international speakers from the mobility and digital industries, scientists, political representatives, and NGOs. All presentations focus on the sustainable transformation of mobility.
Of course, the IAA Mobility is also hybrid, so that with the 'IAA Mobility Virtual' all essential program content can also be experienced digitally, giving everyone worldwide access to the exciting topics of mobility.
Munich Startup: How do startups take place at the IAA?
Christine von Breitenbuch: Naturally, startups from various sectors of the mobility industry will also be represented, offering them a larger platform than in recent years. In Halls A1, B1, and B2, you'll find 76 international startups spread across four startup areas on over 1,500 square meters. These will feature concepts and products in the areas of autonomous driving, assistance systems, lidar and camera systems, AI, alternative drive systems, sound/audio design, bike and motor solutions (e-bikes and cargo bikes), charging infrastructure, battery technology, materials, and smart cities.
Then, together with Bits & Pretzels, we launched "Founders Day." This is a table-captain format where startups meet great investors, VCs, and angel investors from the Bits & Pretzels network. This networking format is exclusive and free of charge to all registered startups at IAA Mobility 2021 and offers young companies a unique opportunity to network with renowned investors. The event will take place on the afternoon of September 9th at the Messe München exhibition center.
The Next Level Startup Challenge is running together with our partner PwC.
Munich Startup: And can visitors also come into direct contact with startups? If so, how and where?
Christine von Breitenbuch: Trade visitors have the opportunity to interact directly throughout the week. And starting Friday, September 10, anyone interested can also attend the Summit, the specialist section of the IAA Mobility, with an "Extended Open Space" ticket.
Startup Lounge & Pitch Sessions
Fundamentally, each startup has its own booth, where several exhibits are also on display. Additionally, some startups present themselves to visitors in the Startup Lounge. In 15-minute pitch sessions, the startups present their products/vision/company and then engage in discussions with interested visitors.
Munich Startup: Which highlights of the IAA should visitors definitely not miss?
Christine von Breitenbuch: There's truly a lot for the public to experience. We have the Open Space in the city center, which offers a wide range of activities for the whole family, including Kids World on Marstallplatz and test rides on bicycles and e-scooters. The Open Space Extended in Halls B4 – B6 on the exhibition grounds and the Experience Area in the outdoor area are also open to everyone throughout the IAA Mobility. Here we have the IAA Heritage by Motorworld, where you can see vintage and sports cars, and two bike halls where over 75 bike brands will showcase their latest products.
Blue Lane Road as a connection between Open Space and the exhibition grounds
Outside in the open air, anyone interested in mountain biking can test their skills on a course, and there is also a safety training course for e-bikes for seniors. There is something for everyone. From Friday onwards, the entire site, including the Summit, will be open to everyone, including a concert on Friday evening by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra with Milk and Sugar and a really exciting stage program in Hall A3 on Saturday with ProSiebenSat.1. Last but not least, you should definitely take the opportunity to test a vehicle yourself on the Blue Lane. Particularly exciting here is the Blue Lane Road, which, as a traffic project, connects Open Space and the exhibition grounds. There will be around 250 vehicles from our exhibitors available for visitors to experience and try out alternative drive technologies and autonomous driving.
Munich Startup: And which mobility topics do you personally find particularly exciting?
Christine von Breitenbuch: For me, the most exciting topic is the exchange that we want to encourage as a mobility platform. On Marienplatz there is the Citizens Lab, it is the place for exchange about the future of mobility, especially with regard to the topic of living space development in the city and in the countryside. Here everyone is allowed and can have their say, to actively express their opinion and to discuss different approaches to solutions - sometimes critically. There is a dialogue arena there, where interesting discussions and lectures will take place on stage and also with the audience. There are two workshop areas and interesting exhibitors who will be presenting their projects. But the IAA Conference, which takes place as part of the Summit on the exhibition grounds with four stages and almost 500 speakers, is also fascinating with its interesting topics and the exchange of ideas about where mobility could and should develop in the future.
With the code "STUP3_IAA2021," you receive a 30 percent discount on the Conference & Summit Ticket Basic. Be quick, as the discount code is limited to 20 tickets.
