How do startup innovations make their way into public administration? That is precisely why the City Demo Day was launched. The event format brings young companies together with municipal departments, municipal enterprises, and other stakeholders to identify specific use cases and pave the way for pilot projects and collaborations. The focus is not only on innovative technologies, but also on exchanging ideas on public procurement and tendering procedures.
The City Demo Day stems from a city council decision and is organized by Referat für Arbeit und Wirtschaft together with the relevant municipal departments. For the 2026 edition, the department is cooperating with the Department for Climate and Environmental Protection. Support in reaching out to startups comes from, among others, UnternehmerTUM, the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (SCE), the LMU Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center (IEC), the Münchner Technologiezentrum (MTZ), WERK1, founders@unibw, and Munich Startup.
Circular Economy as the Focus of City Demo Day 2026
The fourth edition of City Demo Day is all about the circular economy. We are looking for startups with innovative technologies, products, or business models that support municipalities in using resources more efficiently, keeping materials in the loop for as long as possible, or developing sustainable solutions for urban challenges. Approaches in areas such as resource efficiency, reuse, recycling, digital solutions for circular value creation, and sustainable infrastructure are welcome.
The organizers want to strengthen the exchange between startups, city administration, science, and the innovation ecosystem. At the same time, municipal decision-makers are given the opportunity to discover innovative technologies and evaluate their potential application for the Landeshauptstadt München.
Apply now
Are you developing a solution for greater resource efficiency and closed loops in city administration? Apply now for a pitch or an exhibition space:
- Short description of your startup
- Specific added value of your solution for city administration
- Motivation for participating and expectations for a collaboration with the city
Send your documents by September 21, 2026 by email to: citydemoday@studio-stadt-region.de
Munich Startup supports startup outreach
Munich Startup is also a partner of the City Demo Day and supports the organizers in reaching out to suitable startups. In addition, Munich Startup will be represented at Munich Urban Colab on the day of the event. Exactly how the local involvement will look has not yet been finalized. However, it is already known that Kyrill Ring will guide through the program as host.
City Demo Day builds a bridge between startups and public administration
Since its premiere in 2024, the City Demo Day has focused on a different key topic each year. Following previous editions on energy and food, mobility, and artificial intelligence, the circular economy will take center stage in 2026. The goal remains to bring innovations into public administration faster while making it easier for startups to gain access to municipal clients and potential pilot projects.
