The successful format from Munich goes on tour – and returns: THE POOL is coming home!
After stops in Heilbronn and most recently in Berlin, THE POOL, the successful format for co-founder matching and AI startup building initiated in Munich, is returning to the Bavarian capital: from September 15 to 19, 2025, at Google in the 10X Area.
As part of the AI NATION initiative, which has recently become an official component of the German Federal Government's High-Tech Strategy 2025 (Goal 1 – Point 5), THE POOL brings together founders, developers, and designers to develop AI-based MVPs in interdisciplinary teams – with the prospect of up to €25,000 in prototype funding from AI+MUNICH / AI NATION.
THE POOL stands for an intensive, mentor-supported sprint format – entirely without workshops, but with real entrepreneurial pressure. There are daily founder lunches with experts, targeted feedback, and plenty of exchange. The goal is to form strong teams in just a few days, develop viable product ideas – and perhaps even lay the foundation for an AI startup.
The Munich edition will once again be hosted by Philip Prestele (Digital Product School of UnternehmerTUM) and Dr. Fabian Heil (AI NATION, Munich Innovation Ecosystem GmbH) – both of whom were significantly involved in the development and scaling of the format.
