Founders' poker: Up to 100 participants at the startup event in Werk1

At the Founders' Poker event in Munich, up to 100 participants from the startup scene regularly meet to network in a curated environment – combined with a poker tournament without money stakes. The format is run by the company Foundersphere, founded by Sascha Bever, who rebuilt and established the event in Munich after Pandemie.

Networking with structure instead of chance

What distinguishes the founders' poker tournament from classic networking events is its clearly structured framework: Instead of informal exchanges over drinks, participants sit at fixed tables and automatically engage in conversation with new contacts. The poker format acts as a social catalyst – low-threshold, yet interactive enough to allow conversations to develop organically.

"Poker is easy to learn, hard to handle – and that's exactly why it's a great format for getting into conversation with people,"

so Sascha Bever in an interview with Munich Startup.

Especially in Munich's startup ecosystem, which is characterized by a high density of founders, investors, and service providers, this format is in high demand. Thanks to its firm integration within the... Plant1 The event has now established itself as a recurring meeting place.

The concept originally dates back to the late 2000s and was initially implemented in Cologne. After a hiatus due to pandemic-related reasons, Bever took over the format, further developed it, and repositioned it from Munich.

Curated participants: Focus on quality rather than quantity

A key element is the targeted selection of participants. Tickets are not freely available but are allocated based on applications, usually via LinkedIn profiles. This creates a curated mix of early-stage startups, investors and business angels, freelancers and agencies, as well as selected experts such as lawyers or tax advisors, with the aim of creating a balanced dynamic without dominant sales interests.

"The ticket is never available for general sale – we want to ensure that the participants are a good match and that there are no more hunters than hunted,"

Sascha Bever reveals this in the interview.

Schedule: Tournament, networking, and informal deals

The evening follows a set schedule: After a brief introduction, participants are assigned to tables. Beginners receive an introduction to the game before the tournament starts.

Those who are eliminated don't leave the event – on the contrary: many use the time afterwards specifically for conversations at the bar or in the lounge areas. Poker is optional; the event also works as a pure networking format.

Not a game of chance, but measurable added value

The tournament is played without money stakes; the ticket price covers organization and the supporting program, while prizes are usually provided by sponsors in the form of goods or vouchers. The real added value, however, lies in the networking: new business contacts, collaborations, and occasionally even investments are forged. While there are no concrete figures on deals, participants regularly report follow-up contacts and collaborations, which is why the event has become a recurring meeting place for many, resembling a class reunion within the scene.

And for all those who are still hesitant to apply to the Founder Poker event, Bever has a tip:

"Just do it. You have very little to lose here and you'll definitely meet new people."

Scaling and open construction sites

Foundersphere plans to bring its startup poker games to other cities in the long term. Prior to Pandemie, events had already taken place in Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt.

Currently, however, the focus is on Munich, where the format is organizationally stable and a well-established network exists.

A key challenge remains diversity: the proportion of female participants is still comparatively low. The team is therefore specifically testing adjustments and new formats to reach a broader target audience.

Anyone who would like to participate next time can register here Register now for the next Founders' Poker event. The events take place quarterly, often also as an official side event to the... Bits & Pretzels.