Highlights of the Bits & Pretzels you shouldn't miss

Bits & Pretzels traditionally features high-ranking speakers: Barack Obama has already been there, as has Dirk Nowitzki. Jessica Alba as well. And there have also been real champions from the world of sports on the Bits & Pretzels stage: ex-NBA star Dirk Nowitzki, ex-Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg and Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted. In 2022, numerous founders, CEOs and industry experts will once again provide inspiration in the high-quality conference program on September 25 and 26. Among them: Valerie Bures, who has already won the ISPO Award 2021 as CEO with her startup VAHA.

The last day of Bits & Pretzels is the traditional highlight for many. That's when the 5,000 participants head to Munich's famous Oktoberfest. The Schottenhamel Festzehlt becomes a networking paradise with beer, pretzels and music: At the Table Captain Meetings, the beer benches are entirely in the hands of the start-up scene. At each table, participants get to talk to so-called Table Captains, over 200 selected experts from the startup ecosystem. Those who have a ticket can select their desired Table Captain a few days before the event on a first come, first served basis. Networking at the first Oktoberfest edition since 2019 - unique atmosphere guaranteed!

You want the complete overview of the European start-up scene? At the Start-up Exhibition, the most up-and-coming brands will be presenting themselves at their own booths at the ICM Munich on September 25 and 26. This is where you discover innovations, where investment contacts are made and new collaborations are initiated. This year, too, well over 100 start-ups have already been confirmed as exhibitors.

It's hard to get an all-round view of the innovative European startup scene faster than at the Start-up Pitch. Around 80 startups will have the chance to present themselves in elevator pitches at Bits & Pretzels 2022. An international jury of investors* will then select the semi-finals with up to 12 startups per cluster. The top startups from each cluster will then have the chance to present themselves to 5,000 visitors on the Center Stage and compete for the Golden Pretzel Pitch Award.

You want to find exactly the right contacts for your needs without having to search for a long time? Then let the Bits & Pretzels matchmaking team give you a helping hand. In the matchmaking area, the team will bring you together with the people who are really relevant to you in customized formats. There are moderated roundtables, speed dating sessions and guided tours. With the Bits & Pretzels app, you can also filter the event guests and get in touch in chats with exactly those people who can help you get ahead.

Are you looking for partners for the French market or do you want to scale as a French brand in Germany? Bits & Pretzels is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Because for the first time ever, there will be a Guest Country at the Founder Festival with France. In the Bits & Pretzels exhibition area, 600 square meters are reserved exclusively for the La French Tech Munich initiative, which brings together tech companies from Germany and France.

The virtual Academy Days begin a few days before the main event at the ICM Munich: Startup master classes and how-to sessions await you from 3 to 6 p.m. on September 21 and 22.