PITCH & PEOPLE: Sonderausgabe von der Bits & Pretzels
What was your toughest decision as a founder? What advice would you give your earlier founder self? What was your craziest investor deal? Pitch & People gathered insights at the Bits & Pretzels and collected tips.
An “almost-deal” with Jan Marsalek in southern Moscow, pitched 80 times without securing funding, or receiving two 50-euro offers after a successful investor conversation. The experiences of founders at the Bits & Pretzels are both exciting and educational. We spoke with participants at the founders’ fair and had our interview partners share their experiences in a question-and-answer game alongside a 60-second pitch. Short and to the point. Just like the concept of Startupmatch, a new platform that connects founders and business angels more intelligently.
Spotlight – one minute, one chance
With Spotlight, StartupMatch relies on a radically simple format: each startup has exactly 60 seconds to introduce itself via video pitch. No lengthy slides, no travel stress – just one minute of full attention. A jury of 15 experienced founders and personalities from the startup ecosystem selects the best teams, who then present themselves to 30 of Germany’s most active business angels.
“We developed StartupMatch in Munich because the ecosystem here is particularly strong and well-connected. Our goal, however, is to solve the problem of inefficient fundraising across all of Germany”,
explains StartupMatch founder Daniel Schmitt-Haverkamp.
Co-founder Sascha Bever also emphasizes the approach:
“With Foundersphere, I saw how great the demand is for fast and transparent matching formats. And the constant challenge of fundraising for startups. StartupMatch is the perfect solution, and Spotlight is the first logical step.”
The application phase for Spotlight runs until October 31, 2025. B2B startups in the early stage (pre-seed to seed) can participate. Startups that are not actively fundraising can also apply.
More information and registration: www.startupmatch.de/spotlight
