The robotics startup Sitegeist (formerly Aiina Robotics) has won the third “Munich Startup Special Prize” at this year’s Bits & Pretzels conference. The special prize goes to the best Munich startup at Bits & Pretzels 2025 and comes with 5,000 euros in prize money.
The award was presented on October 2 in the Schottenhamel beer tent at Oktoberfest. Sitegeist impressed the jury with its innovative approach. The team is developing an AI-powered solution and modular robots that address the skilled labor shortage and provide greater safety and productivity on construction sites.
Award for Munich startup at founder festival
With the third presentation of the “Munich Startup Special Prize,” Munich Startup as a platform aims to strengthen the visibility of innovative startups from Munich. With the award, Munich Startup is also sending a clear signal to recognize the innovative power of the Munich startup community and underscores the significant role Munich plays as a startup hub.
Arno Eggers, head of Munich Startup, comments on the award:
“The Munich Startup Special Prize is meant to make outstanding founders from Munich visible. Sitegeist shows how innovative thinking and bold entrepreneurship shape the future of the Munich startup scene. We’re delighted to accompany the team on this journey.”
Significance for the Munich startup scene
The city councillor for labor and economy, Dr. Christian Scharpf, congratulates:
“Munich is a hotspot for founding and scaling innovative business ideas. Sitegeist provided an outstanding example at Bits & Pretzels – honored with this year’s special prize from Munich Startup.”
The winning team is overjoyed about the success. Co-founder Lena Pätzmann says:
“For us, it was already an honor to be invited to pitch at Bits & Pretzels. Making it to the finals and winning was the cherry on top. We feel incredibly honored. And that Munich Startup is now supporting us with 5,000 euros is absolutely amazing!”
Just a few months ago, co-founder founder Julian Hoffmann gave us an interview in which he discusses the startup’s founding story and his vision for the future.
