Bits & Pretzels hosts 7,500 founders, investors, and industry leaders for three days full of learning, networking & doing business during Munich Oktoberfest.
We are excited to unveil the theme for Bits & Pretzels 2025: Connecting Europe. After the success of last year’s Kickstart Europe, we’re doubling down on what matters most: building stronger, faster, and more ambitious connections within Europe’s startup ecosystem and beyond.
Europe’s startup scene is at a pivotal moment
In 2024, startups across Europe raised $45 billion, slightly less than the $47 billion in 2023, but signs of a major rebound are clear. Over 100 European late-stage companies are gearing up for IPOs, and funding is gaining momentum. The next wave of European unicorns is just around the corner.
At the same time, founders and investors are navigating major shifts: new regulations, changing trade landscapes, and the challenge of scaling globally. Instead of seeing these as obstacles, we see opportunity, and Connecting Europe is about seizing it together.
