The Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern was packed: In 2025, founders and craftspeople gathered once again at “Startup meets craft” to exchange ideas, inspire one another, and network. Since 2016, the event has brought both worlds together – with great success. The event from the Handwerkskammer für München und Oberbayern and Munich Startup once again closed the gap between traditional craftsmanship and technological innovation.
Georg Räß from the Chamber of Crafts and Saskia Doll from Munich Startup welcomed the guests. In their keynote “New Space & Crafts,” Élise Verdière from spacetech startup DeltaVision and Kersten Stöbe from Messtec Power Converter showed how aerospace technology and craftsmanship come together. Together, they develop components for hydrogen mobility and space applications. DeltaVision builds intelligent cryogenic fluid management systems and is working on a “gas station in space.” Messtec supplies the precise components for this vision.
From AI to construction robotics: startups present future solutions
In the subsequent startup pitches, six young companies had three minutes each to present their ideas for the craft sector. Lars Kornhoff kicked off with Cambrion: The startup offers an agentic AI system that automates document processing and integrates easily into existing workflows via API. Armin Zoike from Complemental AI presented a proactively learning AI agent for knowledge management that is designed to link data and make it more accessible.
Henrik Havel from Amrax demonstrated how the software Metaroom creates precise 3D CAD models from a simple iPhone scan. Sitegeist, winner of the “Munich Startup Special Prize” 2025, impressed with modular construction robots designed to relieve skilled workers and increase safety on construction sites. Smartventory, presented by Jannis Böning, showed an intelligent inventory assistant that automatically documents goods movements. And with SooMore, a portal was introduced that digitally connects craftspeople and private individuals – from transparent mediation to appointment booking.
Networking with Bavarian delicacies
During the subsequent networking session, founders and craftspeople were able to deepen their conversations. The exhibiting startups were also joined by Smartaxxess, which supports business formation with its platform, which digitally and centrally covers topics such as financing, insurance, and consulting.
Regional delicacies provided culinary accompaniment. Guests had a choice of popcorn made in Upper Bavaria from Ampertaler Popcorn, fresh sourdough bread and pastries from the Brotatelier, specialties from the organic certified natural butcher shop Steakschmiede Kreuth, and various craft-brewed beers from Munich Brew Mafia.
So “Startup meets craft” 2025 demonstrated once again: The meeting of craftsmanship and startups not only provides for good conversations in a pleasant atmosphere, but also fresh impulses and perspectives – and at best, new partnerships.
