Munich, 29 Sep - 01 Oct, 2025

Home 0f founders

Bits & Pretzels hosts 7,500 founders, investors, and industry leaders for three days full of learning,
networking & doing business during Munich Oktoberfest.
Get your ticket nowSave event for later

network like
nowhere else

Bits & Pretzels main stage

DAY 1 + 2

Conference

Two days filled with networking, masterclasses and a highly curated speaker line-up, providing you with resources for your growth.

Limited to 7,500 attendees
Curated founder-investor ratio
21,000 founder-investor meetings
Startup Exhibition & Pitch contest
390bn US-Dollar of assets under management at the event
Inside the Festhalle Schottenhamel at the Oktoberfest site.

DAY 3

Oktoberfest

Doing business at the Munich Oktoberfest sounds crazy? It is – but the most unique networking experience you’ll ever make!

+300 Tables at Schottenhamel Tent
250 Table Captains: industry experts hosting a table
2 organized liquid networking sessions
1 unique experience: that lasts a lifetime, be there to believe that

networking is already on fullspeed

0 Conversations

on our Online Platform — only the beginning. Are you in?
Get your ticket now, download the App and jump right into Networking!
GET YOUR TICKET NOW

Live on Stage 2025:
The People Driving Change

Name Surname
Position, Company name
Name Surname
Position, Company name
Name Surname
Position, Company name
Name Surname
Position, Company name
Name Surname
Position, Company name
Name Surname
Position, Company name
Niklas Zennström

Founder & CEO

Atomico

Katherina Reiche

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy

Germany

Caroline Stage Olsen

Minister for Digital Government

Denmark

Thomas Wolf

Co-Founder & Chief Science Officer

Hugging Face

Dorothee Bär

Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space

Germany

Eileen Burbidge

Exec Director at Fertifa / Founding Partner at NFG /

Founding Partner at Passion Capital

Hélène Huby

Founder & CEO

The Exploration Company

Miki Kuusi

Co-Founder & CEO Wolt

Head of DoorDash International

Martin Mignot

Partner

Index Ventures

Peter Sarlin

Co-Founder & CEO

AMD Silo AI

Robert Gentz

Founder & Co-CEO

Zalando

Simon Schmincke

General Partner

Creandum

See all speakers 2025
2023
Bits & Pretzels is home. The Home of Founders. People came for Michelle Obama and they stayed for the community.
2019
President Barack Obama joins Bits & Pretzels and leads an amazing speaker lineup.
2017
Bits & Pretzels establishes its quality over size rule and limits the number of attendees to 5,000.
2015
For the first time the Festival lasts for three days. The grand finale gathers 3,500 founders at the Oktoberfest.
2023
Bits & Pretzels is home. The Home of Founders. People came for Michelle Obama and they stayed for the community.
2019
President Barack Obama joins Bits & Pretzels and leads an amazing speaker lineup.
2017
Bits & Pretzels establishes its quality over size rule and limits the number of attendees to 5,000.
2015
For the first time the Festival lasts for three days. The grand finale gathers 3,500 founders at the Oktoberfest.
2024
Bits & Pretzels launches the first-ever Investor Summit and CXO Summit — setting a new standard for founder and investor networking.
2022
What a return after a two year break. It was time to reunite the European startup ecosystem and everybody joined.
2018
Tarana Burke, founder of the #metoo movement, opens the Festival to underline the commitment to diversity.
2016
5,000 attendees come to see the founders of Virgin, Airbnb, and other inspiring personalities.
2013-14
Wild first years. Started with only 80 participants at Hofbräuhaus the event grows to 1,400 attendees.
2024
Bits & Pretzels launches the first-ever Investor Summit and CXO Summit — setting a new standard for founder and investor networking.
2022
What a return after a two year break. It was time to reunite the European startup ecosystem and everybody joined.
2018
Tarana Burke, founder of the #metoo movement, opens the Festival to underline the commitment to diversity.
2016
5,000 attendees come to see the founders of Virgin, Airbnb, and other inspiring personalities.
2013-14
Wild first years. Started with only 80 participants at Hofbräuhaus the event grows to 1,400 attendees.

WHERE WE COME FROM.

Bits & Pretzels started as founders breakfast with just 80 participants. We dared to start and the spirit of supporting founders continues in 2025 and beyond.

Join our mission in helping founders shaping a better future.

Our 2025 Experience

Be There – Everyone Else Will Be.

Whether you’re a founder, investor, or changemaker, Bits & Pretzels is your platform to make a lasting impact. Together, we can create opportunities, empower innovation, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Get your ticket nowSave Event for later

“Bringing together Oktoberfest and the startup world is just great.”

NATHAN BLECHARCZYK
CO-FOUNDER & CTO, AIRBNB

Experience the business magic of Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest attracts millions—a unique blend of culture and tradition.
A key networking event—connect in a special setting.
Business at Oktoberfest? Now’s the time. Join us this September!
Richard Branson as a Table Captain sitting among the attendees at an Oktoberfest site

Tell us who
you are

I'm a startup
I'm an investor
I'm a corporate

Learn from
the Best

40+ hands-on Startup Academy sessions
10 stages packed with actionable content
500+ world-class speakers in just two days

Meet 2,000+
Investors

1 in 4 attendees is actively investing
21,000 founder–investor meetings in 3 days
€3.6B raised after Bits & Pretzels 2023

Find New
Clients

Exhibit alongside 300 top startups
Pitch on stage and boost your visibility
Connect with 7,500+ potential partners & clients
Learn more

Built for
bIG mOVES

21,000+ founder-investor meetings in just 3 days
€390B in assets under management represented
From seed-stage specialists to unicorn backers – all in one place

real Access - Real people

Elite Networking with 1.500 leading VCs and 300+ LPs
Trusted by top firms like a16z, Accel, Index & Sequoia
Limited to 7,500 attendees for real conversations, not just crowds

Exclusive for Investors

8 deep-dive sessions on VC’s biggest challenges
Honest conversations with top-tier peers only
Access limited to Investor Ticket holders
Learn more

Europe’s
Top Startups.
All Together.

3,000+ founders across all industries
300 curated exhibitors
80 pitch on stage, selected for impact

Networking
Made
Effortless

80+ expert matchmakers supporting your goals
Connect with all 7,500 attendees via the app
Smart formats designed to spark real conversations

What Leading Corporates Won’t Tell You on LinkedIn

Lessons learned from Europe’s top corporates
CxOs from Airbus, Siemens, Vodafone & more on stage
Actionable insights you can apply tomorrow
Learn more
Startup
Investor
Corporate

Learn from
the Best

40+ hands-on Startup Academy sessions
10 stages packed with actionable content
500+ world-class speakers in just two days

Meet 2,000+
Investors

1 in 4 attendees is actively investing
21,000 founder–investor meetings in 3 days
€3.6B raised after Bits & Pretzels 2023

Find New
Clients

Exhibit alongside 300 top startups
Pitch on stage and boost your visibility
Connect with 7,500+ potential partners & clients
Learn more

Built for
bIG mOVES

21,000+ founder-investor meetings in just 3 days
€390B in assets under management represented
From seed-stage specialists to unicorn backers
– all in one place

real Access
- Real people

Elite Networking with 1.500 leading VCs and 300+ LPs
Trusted by top firms like a16z, Accel, Index & Sequoia
Limited to 7,500 attendees for real conversations,
not just crowds

Exclusive for
Investors

8 deep-dive sessions on VC’s biggest challenges
Honest conversations with top-tier peers only
Access limited to Investor Ticket holders
Learn more

Europe’s Top Startups.
All Together.

3,000+ founders across all industries
300 curated exhibitors
80 pitch on stage, selected for impact

Networking Made
Effortless

80+ expert matchmakers supporting your goals
Connect with all 7,500 attendees via the app
Smart formats designed to spark real conversations

What Leading Corporates Won’t Tell You on LinkedIn

Lessons learned from Europe’s top corporates
CxOs from Airbus, Siemens, Vodafone & more
on stage
Actionable insights you can apply tomorrow
Learn more

United at Bits & Pretzels

Startups
Investors
Partners

600+ Top Executives

Here is a glimpse into the list:
adidas, CIO
AIRBUS, SVP Digital
Allianz, Head of Group Data & AI
Amazon, Country ManagerAMD, Global AI Lead (AUP
AMD, Global AI Lead (AUP)
ams OSRAM, Head of Data & AI
Andreas Schmid Logistik, CDO
AOK Bayern, CIO & CDO
AUDI, CIO
Augustiner-Bräu, IT-Manager
Augustinum Gruppe, Managing Director/COO
BARMER, CIO
Bauerfeind, CIO
Bilfinger, CIDO
BMW Bank, COO
Brainlab, Director Digital & IT
CANCOM, Director AI
Carl Zeiss Meditec, Head of AI
Cisco Systems, VP Germany
Condé Nast, Executive Director, Global Business Relationship Management
Conrad Electronic, CEO
Continental, Head of Artificial Intelligence
DB Fernverkehr, Lead IT Sales Plattform
DB Vertrieb, CIO
Dell Technologies, CTO, AI Solutions
die Bayerische, Executive Board
EDEKA, CEO
EGYM, CTO
ETERNA, Head of IT
Faber-Castell, CFO
Fujitsu, Head of IT
Garmin, Managing Director
Giesecke+Devrient, Group CTO
Goethe-Institut, Head of ITH
Hugendubel, Managing Partner
H&F Solutions, CTO, CCO
Haniel, Group CISO
Heidelberg Materials, CTO
Helmholtz Zentrum München, Head of Digital Transformation & IT
Hensoldt Group, CIO
Hoenle, CFO
HÖRMANN Gruppe, Manager AI & Data Products
Horsch Holding, Management Board
Interhyp, Member of the Management Board
Keller&Kalmbach, CEO
Kneipp, Head of Information Management
Krauss Maffei, CIO
Landeshauptstadt München, CDO
LaVita, COO
Leonhard Moll Betonwerke, Group Head of IT
Main-Post, Head of AI & Development
MAINGAU Energie, CIO
Rischart, CPO
Messe München, CEO
Microsoft, Global Partner Data Science
mkk – meine krankenkasse, CDO
München Klinik, CFO
Munich Re, Chief Data and AI Officer
Netlight, Partner and Managing Director
NOVENTI, CIO
Otto, Chief AI Officer
Ottobock, Global CIO
Phoenix Pharma, Member of the Supervisory Board
Porsche, CIO
ProSiebenSat1 | Joyn, CTO
R+V Versicherung, Executive Board Member Operations/IT
Randstad Digital Germany, Managing Director
RHÖN-KLINIKUM, Head of IT/EDP
ROMA, Management Digitalization Division
RTL2 Fernsehen, Chief Strategy & Data Officer
Salesforce, CIO G2M Industry
Sana Kliniken, Member of the board of directors
SCHLENK, Global Director Organization and IT
Schunk, CTO
Siemens, CIO
Siemens Healthineers, VP for EU AI Act
Siltronic, CIO
Sky Germany, CTO
Sport1 Medien, Co-CEO
STADA Group, CIO
STAEDTLER, CEO/CFO
Süddeutscher Verlag, CIO
Telefónica Germany, CTO
Thomann, CDO
Triumph, CIO
Tüv Süd, Chief Digital and Process Officer
Verlag C.H. Beck, Head of Corporate/M&A
Vinzenzmurr, CIO
Volkswagen OTLG, Head of Information Systems
Volvo Group Trucks Central Europe, Vice President & Managing Director
Wacker Chemie, CIO
Wanzl, CTO
Webasto, Group CIO
Westwing, CTO
Willy Bogner, Managing Director/Group CFO
YORMA'S, Executive Board
adidas, CIO
AIRBUS, SVP Digital
Allianz, Head of Group Data & AI
Amazon, Country ManagerAMD, Global AI Lead (AUP
AMD, Global AI Lead (AUP)
ams OSRAM, Head of Data & AI
Andreas Schmid Logistik, CDO
AOK Bayern, CIO & CDO
AUDI, CIO
Augustiner-Bräu, IT-Manager
Augustinum Gruppe, Managing Director/COO
BARMER, CIO
Bauerfeind, CIO
Bilfinger, CIDO
BMW Bank, COO
Brainlab, Director Digital & IT
CANCOM, Director AI
Carl Zeiss Meditec, Head of AI
Cisco Systems, VP Germany
Condé Nast, Executive Director, Global Business Relationship Management
Conrad Electronic, CEO
Continental, Head of Artificial Intelligence
DB Fernverkehr, Lead IT Sales Plattform
DB Vertrieb, CIO
Dell Technologies, CTO, AI Solutions
die Bayerische, Executive Board
EDEKA, CEO
EGYM, CTO
ETERNA, Head of IT
Faber-Castell, CFO
Fujitsu, Head of IT
Garmin, Managing Director
Giesecke+Devrient, Group CTO
Goethe-Institut, Head of ITH
Hugendubel, Managing Partner
H&F Solutions, CTO, CCO
Haniel, Group CISO
Heidelberg Materials, CTO
Helmholtz Zentrum München, Head of Digital Transformation & IT
Hensoldt Group, CIO
Hoenle, CFO
HÖRMANN Gruppe, Manager AI & Data Products
Horsch Holding, Management Board
Interhyp, Member of the Management Board
Keller&Kalmbach, CEO
Kneipp, Head of Information Management
Krauss Maffei, CIO
Landeshauptstadt München, CDO
LaVita, COO
Leonhard Moll Betonwerke, Group Head of IT
Main-Post, Head of AI & Development
MAINGAU Energie, CIO
Rischart, CPO
Messe München, CEO
Microsoft, Global Partner Data Science
mkk – meine krankenkasse, CDO
München Klinik, CFO
Munich Re, Chief Data and AI Officer
Netlight, Partner and Managing Director
NOVENTI, CIO
Otto, Chief AI Officer
Ottobock, Global CIO
Phoenix Pharma, Member of the Supervisory Board
Porsche, CIO
ProSiebenSat1 | Joyn, CTO
R+V Versicherung, Executive Board Member Operations/IT
Randstad Digital Germany, Managing Director
RHÖN-KLINIKUM, Head of IT/EDP
ROMA, Management Digitalization Division
RTL2 Fernsehen, Chief Strategy & Data Officer
Salesforce, CIO G2M Industry
Sana Kliniken, Member of the board of directors
SCHLENK, Global Director Organization and IT
Schunk, CTO
Siemens, CIO
Siemens Healthineers, VP for EU AI Act
Siltronic, CIO
Sky Germany, CTO
Sport1 Medien, Co-CEO
STADA Group, CIO
STAEDTLER, CEO/CFO
Süddeutscher Verlag, CIO
Telefónica Germany, CTO
Thomann, CDO
Triumph, CIO
Tüv Süd, Chief Digital and Process Officer
Verlag C.H. Beck, Head of Corporate/M&A
Vinzenzmurr, CIO
Volkswagen OTLG, Head of Information Systems
Volvo Group Trucks Central Europe, Vice President & Managing Director
Wacker Chemie, CIO
Wanzl, CTO
Webasto, Group CIO
Westwing, CTO
Willy Bogner, Managing Director/Group CFO
YORMA'S, Executive Board