On July 17, Backstage will transform into Munich’s startup hotspot for one day as part of the Munich Startup Festival, with many small and large highlights that we will introduce one by one. But let’s start with the program on the main stage, which again this year convinces with diverse content. After a brief opening ceremony, Tijen Onaran kicks things off. The investor and entrepreneur, who many will know from the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen”, speaks in her keynote about self-branding. Founders – and those who want to become one – will learn here how startups can gain more visibility through self-branding and what dangers lurk along the way.
Platitudes or solutions?
The program continues with a very exciting topic: “Forever Young: Munich as Europe’s most important biotech cluster”. The topic is no coincidence, as Munich has developed into one of Europe’s leading biotech hubs over the last 20 years. As experts, in addition to Prof. Dr. Ralf Huss from BioM Biotech Cluster Development and Christian Gnam from the support organization IZB, there will also be Dr. Caroline Xu, co-founder and CEO of Vigeneron, and Dr. Pascal Schweizer, co-founder and CEO / CFO of Thermosome, representing the startup side. Immediately afterwards, responses from politicians will be demanded. Magdalena Oehl, deputy chairwoman of the Startup Association, will challenge four representatives from Munich City Council together with Bernd Storm van’s Gravesande, co-founder of Bits & Pretzels, with questions from the Munich startup community. Will Munich politicians find answers to pressing questions from many founders or will they lose themselves in platitudes?
With Munich being home to top universities, the universities based here must of course not be missing from the main stage. The title of the panel already implies the direction: “In the age of multiple crises: What solutions come from universities?” Representing Munich universities, Prof. Ali Gümüsay from LMU München, Prof. Dr. Rafaela Kraus from Universität der Bundeswehr München, Prof. Dr. Oliver Alexy from TU München and Prof. Sebastian Dünnebeil from Hochschule München will explain how their employers create an environment for innovation. The panel will be moderated by Bernhard Kowatsch from the UN World Food Programme.
On the trail of success secrets
Startups need a supportive environment if they want to be successful. What support can be found in the Munich ecosystem is what the program point “Forges of the future: Encounters with Munich startup enablers” aims to show. For this, we bring Dr. Robert Richter from Werk1, Dr. Xenia Schmahl from Plug and Play, Ronja Schneider from Media Lab Bayern and Prof. Matthias Notz from Start2 Group to the stage and want to learn from them how their institutions and programs can support companies on their path to success.
Lilium can already tell a success story. And the Munich flying taxi startup is willing to share its experiences with founders as well. At “Questions on success: Startups question grownups”, Barbara Bachus, co-founder of Exomatter, and Dr. Richard Eckl, co-founder and co-CEO of Energyminer, have the opportunity to grill the grownup with questions. And of course, the topic of artificial intelligence must not be missing from the main stage of the Munich Startup Festival. “Unlocking AI’s Potential: Vision, Management and Responsibility” will be moderated by Marlene Eder, project manager at One Mission, and wants to provide space not only for all the opportunities that AI offers, but also for the questions that come with this revolution.
€10,000 in prize money & eternal glory
As in the previous year, the main stage program concludes with the grand finale of the Munich Startups Awards. Munich startups pitch before a high-profile jury not only for the title of “Best Munich Startup 2024”, but also for €10,000 in prize money.
Sounds good? Then secure your ticket now for the Munich Startup Festival and be there on July 17, 2024.
You can find all further information about the Munich Startup Festival here.
