Your All-Access Pass to the Elite 1%
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Private Markets at
an Inflection Point
Winning the Hardest Fundraising Market in 15 Years
Gain the strategic edge and liquidity insights needed to successfully navigate and dominate the most challenging capital environment in recent history.
Reinventing the Venture Firm
Explore next-generation operational models and AI-driven strategies that are redefining what it means to be a top-performing venture firm today.
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Deep Tech Renaissance
Connect with the pioneers and capital fueling Europe’s breakthrough innovations in climate, hardware, and sovereign technology.
High-Signal Sourcing
Skip the noise. Access over 1,000+ hand-picked startups from across Europe, pre-vetted to ensure you meet only the most promising founders from Seed to Series B.
Expand Your Co-Investment Network
Connect with 1,000+ fellow investors, GPs, and LPs. Bits & Pretzels is where the ecosystem meets to syndi-cate deals, share insights, and build long-term fund partnerships.
Regularly Attending LPs
From Booth to Big League
have been boosted by exhibiting at Bits & Pretzels in their early days:
That's What LPs say
“When we showcased Parloa at Bits several years ago, we were still early in our journey. The team had many valuable conversations with partners and prospects, and it helped us build visibility.”
“When Personio was still young we exhibited three times. Going out and speaking to potential clients and talents was key for our growth .”
"Bits & Pretzels helped us connect with like-minded founders in healthcare and longevity, gain media visibility, and strengthen our credibility with investors. Since then, we successfully closed our seed investment round this spring, an important milestone for Avancell Medical."
"The most valuable outcome of exhibiting at the event was that a visit to our booth led to our first major corporate pilot project. It connected us with one of the world’s largest EV manufacturers and opened the door to strategic deals and funding opportunities."
"The conversations at Bits & Pretzels gave us the visibility we needed at the right time. We came to the event with a vision, and left with validation, funding leads, and a broader community that believes in our mission: to connect the unconnected, sustainably. Now flyvbird is ready to scale thanks partially to the momentum built at Bits & Pretzels."
"At Bits & Pretzels, meeting new connections turned out to be more important than expected. One year later, we’re close to a partnership with what might be the best possible match in Germany for our company. Even early investor talks were refreshingly open-minded."
“Bits & Pretzels was planned and structured so well. We didn’t feel overwhelmed, tired, or anything like that at any moment—we were simply experiencing experiences”.
“I would recommend everyone to try it out not just once, but for 2, 3, 4 years to also build up a certain network within the event.”
“I really liked the atmosphere. Even though we were doing business, there was some art all around - people dancing, singing, and playing music”.
Speakers at our
investor Stage
Harry Nelis
Partner
Accel
Seema Amble
Partner
Andreessen Horowitz
Moustafa ElBialy
Founder & CIO
Kleiner Perkins
Greg Schmitt
Head of Private Equity & Co-Investments
MEAG
Ritika Pai
Partner
ICONIQ
Simon Schmincke
General Partner
Creandum
Franziska Kayser
Partner, Head of European TMT
KKR
Dominik Stein
Partner
EQT Partners
Tom Fitzherbert-Brockholes
Partner
StepStone Group
Enrico Mellis
Founder
Animal Syndication Company
Robin Haak
Partner
Robin Capital
Maximize your impact
Join the startup exhibition
Ready to put your startup on the radar of Europe’s top investors, media, and decision-makers?
At the Startup Exhibition at Bits & Pretzels, you showcase your product alongside the most promising startups in the ecosystem. It's your moment to pitch, connect, and gain real traction — all in front of the people who can fuel your next stage of growth. From visibility to validation, this is where ambitious founders take the fast lane.
Join the Pitch Corner
Step into the spotlight at the Pitch Corner, an open-concept stage situated at the very heart of the Startup Exhibition Area. This is the ultimate platform for founders to master the art of the “elevator pitch” in its purest form—no slides, no tech, and no distractions.
You have exactly 90 seconds to capture the attention of the crowd and convince with nothing but the power of your story. Following your pitch, you’ll receive instant, high-value feedback from ecosystem experts. There is no pre-registration required and no barriers to entry; simply show up, sign up on-site, and take your shot on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re ready to turn foot traffic into a following, the stage is yours.
Join the CIO & Founder Reception
We’re bringing hundreds of corporate C-level executives to you. Join the CIO & Founder Reception for an afternoon of relaxed networking at the venue - perfect for building the relationships your scaleup needs to grow.
Your Network in Your Pocket
The Bits & Pretzels networkng platform is your digital headquarters for the event. Designed to cut through the noise, it puts the entire ecosystem of 7,500 founders & investors at your fingertips.
Don’t leave your success to chance.
Stop Searching. Start Connecting.
At Bits & Pretzels, we replace random networking with curated matchmaking. We put founders first by creating the right conditions for meaningful connections through 1:1 meetings, expert-led roundtables, and our digital networking platform.
Whether it’s high-speed dating or deep-dive sessions, we provide the tools and the mentors to ensure your startup finds the right partners. Don’t leave your success to chance, make every conversation count.
Table Captain Networking
The final day of Bits & Pretzels moves the networking to the Oktoberfest, but the real value is at the table. Join a Table Captain, a seasoned founder, industry veteran, or top-tier investor—for deep, honest conversations in the unique atmosphere of the Schottenhamel tent.
Instead of stiff appointments, you choose a table tailored to your specific challenge, from fundraising to international expansion. It’s a space built for authentic connection, allowing you to stress-test your strategy and build lasting bonds with mentors and peers alike. Grab your seat, join the conversation, and turn a tent encounter into your next major breakthrough.
Preliminary Agenda
Gain exclusive insights from industry leaders and peers.
September 29th
8:30 am - 10:00 am
Kick off your morning by connecting with fellow LPs and a selection of GPs.
Morning
• Winning Strategies in Portfolio Construction: High-Conviction vs Spray & Pray
• The $1B Solo Founder and How This Changes the Economics of Venture
• Solo GP Pitches: Challenging the Traditional Fund Model
• The True Cost of Venture Capital in Today’s Market
• Understanding LP Allocation Shifts in our Current Macro Environment
Afternoon
• Data-Driven VC: Automation, Copilots, Agents - What’s Next?
• Growth Stage Investing in Europe: What Does it Take to Become a Global Leader?
• Secondaries in Venture: A True Liquidity Solution?
• How do LPs Select the Right VC Managers?
• Unlocking Growth & Innovation Funding from Pensions, Governments & Businesses
Throughout Festival & Summit
All around the Bits & Pretzels Festival and the Investor Summit.
All-Day
Enjoy a dedicated space for high-value networking. Connect with fellow VCs and LPs in a distraction-free environment.
Are you Ready to Secure Your Seat Among Europe’s Top Allocators?
Experience the business magic of Oktoberfest
Yes we really take thousands of startup people to a single tent at the real Munich Oktoberfest. And yes, it’s even more about business as it is fun.
Every table hosts a pre-booked meeting of 8-10 attendees. It’s a place where founders pitch, new partnerships are made, and business partners become friends.
It’s a day like nothing you have ever experienced.
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THE Munich startup ecosystem is burning hot
Munich became a powerhouse of b2b and deep tech startups. It is the heart of Europe’s most powerful economy, features world-class universities, and is home to huge enterprise companies like BMW, Siemens, and Allianz.
Coming to Munich is always a good idea. But coming for Oktoberfest and Bits & Pretzels makes it the best trip of your year.
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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 2026 and beyond.
Join our mission in helping founders shaping a better future.
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