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BITS SPOTLIGHT
DEFENsE
FOR EUROPEAN SOVEREIGNTY
Where the European defense industry meets the tech ecosystem that will shape its future.
7,500+
founders, investors & policymakers at Bits & Pretzels
20h
of dedicated stage content by the best minds in defense
400m2
of defense exhibition space for Defense & Dual-Use Innovation
Munich
Europe’s central hub fordefense & security tech
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Connecting 1,700+ Investors with the Defense Ecosystem
Government budgets won‘t just fund the future of European defense - it will be built by venture capital. Central Europe‘s largest venture capital gathering shines a spotlight on defense.
Bits & Pretzels connects defense pioneers and policy leaders with 1,700+ investors to turn dual-use innovation into European sovereignty at venture speed
Europe has the capital and brains to secure it‘s sovereignty - both collide at Bits & Pretzels.
Curated by industry experts
The Defense Area is shaped by established defense industry leaders – not by observers
Sven Weizenegger
Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub
Academic & Programme Curator
Klaus Kappen
Rheinmetall
Industry Curator
Frank Thieser
Investor, Former CFO Quantum Systems
Investment Curator
Mike Wax
Blueyard
Investment Curator
Felix Haas
Bits & Pretzels
Investment Curator
Community Partner
Defense Speakers & Experts
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Why a spotlight on defense?
Ever since February 2022, the uncomfortable truth is clear: Europe’s peace is fragile, leaving us with a stark choice between total dependency to foreign powers or hard earned sovereignty. Securing a safe future for the next generation won't happen through slow bureaucracy—it demands the rapid speed, bold risk-taking, and raw execution of founders and the willingnes to take risks of private investors. We’re giving Defense a stage in 2026 because the startup ecosystem belongs right at the heart of this mission.