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1,300 visitors, exciting discussions, intensive networking and plenty of festival vibes: Our photo gallery shows the best moments of the Munich Startup Festival 2026 – from the first panel to the award ceremony.

No bubble, just real contacts – under this motto, the Munich Startup Festival 2026 brought together around 1,300 guests on July 22 at Backstage Munich. Founders, investors, academia, corporations and politicians discussed Europe’s innovative strength, the future of entrepreneurship and key technologies such as defence tech, biotech and space tech. Inspiring keynotes, high-caliber panel discussions, workshops, speed networking and numerous encounters made the festival a day full of ideas, exchange and new connections.

Around 1,300 visitors, over 30 speakers, more than 30 partners and countless new contacts: The Munich Startup Festival brought the Munich startup community together for the fourth time at Backstage. Between high-caliber panels, inspiring founder stories and festival atmosphere, it became clear: Munich wants to further expand its role as Europe’s leading innovation hub.

8pm Social is the best Munich startup 2026: At the Munich Startup Festival, 8pm Social won the Munich Startup Award, endowed with 10,000 euros. In the final, Pulsetrain, which develops intelligent battery management systems for electric vehicles, and Jessy Works, with an AI solution for tax consulting firms, also competed.

Bring your network, your expertise, and your hands-on mentality and become part of the Munich Startup Award jury 2026.

Munich Startup brings you right to Königsplatz in summer 2026. As part of Kinoliebe Open Air, an exclusive presentation and sales area is being awarded. Here’s how you can apply.

On July 22, 2026, Munich’s startup scene meets at Backstage. Founders, investors, and talent experience networking, an award ceremony, and festival vibes. Secure your tickets now!

1,500 participants, numerous panel discussions and plenty of time for networking and pitching. The 3rd Munich Startup Festival once again brought Munich’s startup community together in one place and created space for new ideas. Five founders pitched their ideas at the Munich Startup Awards in front of an expert jury. UniteLabs and its co-founder Robert Zechlin were delighted at the end to receive the award and 10,000 euros. First published on: July 17, 2025

The 9th Munich Startup Award goes to UniteLabs. The biotech startup can now claim the title of “best Munich startup 2025”.

For the ninth time, we are crowning the best startup from Munich with the Munich Startup Award. The five startups that will present themselves in the final at the Munich Startup Festival are now confirmed.

For the ninth time, we are awarding the Munich Startup Award to the best Munich startup. The prize is endowed with 10,000 euros, and applications are now possible. The application deadline is June 13, 2025.

The 8th Munich Startup Award goes to 2NA Fish. With this, the healthtech startup earns the title of “best Munich startup 2024.”