When the UnternehmerTUM ecosystem teams up with the international network of Messe München, 140 scalable startups per year meet around 150 events and roughly three million visitors annually. The most interesting aspect of the cooperation lies less in conventional trade fair appearances for startups and more in connecting two networks that have operated differently until now: UnternehmerTUM brings together young technology companies, investors, academia, and industry, while Messe München provides established international industry platforms and access to potential customers.
Munich Startups to Reach International Customers Faster
The partnership addresses a critical challenge for tech startups: innovations not only need to be developed and financed, but also brought into industrial applications and international markets.
UnternehmerTUM is among the leading centers for innovation and business creation in Europe. According to its own figures, more than 140 scalable startups emerge from its ecosystem each year. For 2025, UnternehmerTUM reports around 1.8 billion euros (two billion dollars) in venture capital and funding.
On the other side, Messe München contributes an international event and industry network. According to the company, around 150 events each year reach more than 50,000 exhibitors and about three million visitors. Its portfolio covers areas including automation, construction, real estate, the circular economy, mobility, electronics, and quantum technology.
150 Events as a Platform for Tech Startups
In the future, these trade fair platforms are to be used in a more targeted manner to connect startups with established companies, investors, and research institutions. This will involve both future-oriented fields already covered by Messe München as well as the identification of new topics.
Plans include new innovation formats designed to highlight tangible technologies, best practices, and use cases. At the same time, international growth opportunities for young tech companies are to be systematically expanded.
To this end, Messe München is present in numerous international markets. Its network includes activities in China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the US, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya, among others.
“Innovations happen where industry, science, investors, and startups come together,”
explain Messe München CEOs Reinhard Pfeiffer and Stefan Rummel. Together with UnternehmerTUM, the goal is to increase the visibility of startup technologies and open doors for them to international markets, customers, and capital.
UnternehmerTUM Brings In More Than 140 Scalable Startups Per Year
For UnternehmerTUM, the cooperation primarily expands opportunities to support companies from its own ecosystem in entering new markets. Alongside capital and technological expertise, this puts a stronger focus on access to industry-specific customers and partners.
“Innovations only make an impact when they successfully find their way into the market,”
explain UnternehmerTUM CEO and co-founder Helmut Schönenberger and Managing Director Christian Mohr. The cooperation is intended to combine technological excellence with international market access.
The partnership more closely links startup and innovation support in the Munich ecosystem with established international sales and industry platforms. Especially for B2B and deeptech startups, trade fairs can be venues where pilot customers, industry partners, or potential investors meet.
Automatica and World of Quantum Provide the Blueprint
Collaboration between the two Munich players is not entirely new. Joint innovation formats have already been implemented at the flagship trade fairs automatica and World of Quantum, bringing technology companies and startups together with industry partners.
The strategic partnership is now intended to build on this experience. The collaboration at automatica and World of Quantum will be further developed and extended to other leading trade fairs—both in Germany and internationally.
