Host your own Side event
Bits & Pretzels Side Events are your chance to shine outside the main agenda.
From curated breakfasts to networking drinks - design your own event and make your mark in the startup world.
From curated breakfasts to networking drinks - design your own event and make your mark in the startup world.
Why host a side event
Bits & Pretzels is Europe’s leading festival for founders, uniting a global community of entrepreneurs, investors, and
leaders from various industries.
The event aims to foster networking opportunities, inspire groundbreaking ideas, and facilitate knowledge exchange among global visionaries.
The inspiring speakers is only one of the many reasons why the event is sold out every year! Over the years, Bits & Pretzels welcomed on stage Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Reid Hoffmann, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Richard Branson, Jessica Alba, Daniel Dines, Cathie Wood, and many more.
The event aims to foster networking opportunities, inspire groundbreaking ideas, and facilitate knowledge exchange among global visionaries.
The inspiring speakers is only one of the many reasons why the event is sold out every year! Over the years, Bits & Pretzels welcomed on stage Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Reid Hoffmann, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Richard Branson, Jessica Alba, Daniel Dines, Cathie Wood, and many more.
What kind of events
can you host?
Get Creative! The Bits & Pretzels crowd is made up of startup founders, investors, corporate leaders,
politicians, students, and many others who contribute to the vibrant startup ecosystem.
Think about how to design the perfect event to bring together the people you’d love to connect with!
Open office
You have an office in Munich? Open your doors and welcome guests.
Networking drinks
Informal gatherings with professionals from the industry.
Breakfasts
You can gather a crowd even before the program of Bits & Pretzels start.
custom Format
From hackathons to workshops - surprise us.
How it works?
Submit your event idea
Submitget
approval
Our team will go through your event ideas and will get in touch as soon as possible.
Start
planning
While planning your event please make sure to read the “key things to know” below.
Your event goes live
Your event goes live as part of our official Side Event Program.
Key Things to know:
You will be responsible for organisation, location, invitation & costs, etc. of the side-event
Our communication team will feature your side event on our side event website + newsletter
We strongly recommend to not only rely on Bits & Pretzels as the single source of guests. Attendees have abundant possibilities to join events - also advertise to the local ecosystem and invite your network
Participating in and apply for a Side Event is 100% free for Bits & Pretzels attendees
As the host, you are responsible for managing your event’s registration / registration page, promotion, creative, operations, insurance, costs, etc.
Most Side Events are in general open to all attendees, however they can be invitation-only
Only Munich-venue-based events will be considered - no virtual events
Want to host your side event?
Explore the 2025 Events
September 28, 2025
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9:00
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16:00
Hikepreneur: Hike #4
Join us for a hike in the nearby mountains to connect with industry leaders, founders, investors and innovators.
Organizer
Hikepreneur
Entrance Requirements
Open to all to register
Who is it for?
Intra- and entrepreneurs, innovators and investors
Capacity
42
September 29, 2025
/
18:00
-
23:00
Creative Climbing
Creative people, creators and changemakers come together in a quiet bouldering environment; but not in imagination mode, but with chalk on their hands, a lot of joy in doing and a sincere interest in other people. Whether you're a startup founder, a designer or CMO, or even a creator, there are no titles, no dress code and no tough sales speeches. Instead, great matches and long-term connections.
Organizer
kreativbox GmbH
Entrance Requirements
Registration required
Who is it for?
The event is aimed at up to 30 participants from the creative, digital and start-up sectors, including CEOs, decision-makers, creators, agencies and changemakers from the Bits & Pretzels community. Everyone who is open to new perspectives, genuine connections and a bit of sporting diversity is welcome, regardless of their sporting level.
Capacity
30
September 29, 2025
/
18:30
-
22:30
Founder's Fuel-up 2025 - by Startup-Verband
Together with Celonis, we’re inviting you to the Founder's Fuel-up – the perfect way to wrap up your Bits & Pretzels Monday.
Joining us: Verena Pausder, Bastian Nominacher (Celonis), and many other ecosystem players for an evening among founders – with new connections and familiar faces.
Organizer
Startup-Verband
Entrance Requirements
Registration required
Who is it for?
startup founders, investors and all other people from the startup ecosystem
Capacity
150
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September 29, 2025
/
18:00
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21:00
Why Design Pays Off
Join us at Kyso Café for a quick but valuable Bits & Pretzels Side Event on why UX pays off – for your users and your business. 30 mins of insights, then: slides down, bottles up. Augustiner & food from Bageri on us.
Hosted by Swipe Circus – faster but better.
Organizer
Swipe Circus
Entrance Requirements
Registration required
Who is it for?
Founders, UX Designer, UI Designer, Invesotors, Managers
Capacity
40
September 29, 2025
/
18:30
-
22:00
Media Startup Night
We are opening our doors - in connection with the Bits & Pretzels side events - for the 6th edition of Media Startup Night on September, 29. This is the ultimate meet-up for anyone interested in the future of media.
It's not only about listening, but also about taking part. Benefit from the casual atmosphere by exchanging ideas with other participants while making new contacts.
Organizer
Media Lab Bayern
Entrance Requirements
Registration required
Who is it for?
Media founders, editors, C-level publishers, startups, business angels, investors and innovators, journalists and media enthusiasts
Capacity
100
September 29, 2025
/
17:00
-
23:59
Wunderland Wiesn 3.0
Wunderland Capital invites you to Wunderland Wiesn 3.0!
We are delighted to invite you once again to a great evening with a select group of LPs in the Marstall Festzelt at Oktoberfest 2025.
Organizer
Wunderland Capital
Entrance Requirements
Application required
Who is it for?
LPs only
Capacity
25
September 29, 2025
/
20:00
-
23:59
SCOUT24 Legends Reunion
An informal gathering for former Scout24 colleagues. Drinks, networking, and great vibes in Munich.
Organizer
Florian Ritzelmut
Location
Entrance Requirements
Invite only
Who is it for?
Former Scout24 team members who want to reconnect, share stories, and catch up over drinks. All departments, all generations welcome.
Capacity
16
September 29, 2025
/
18:00
-
21:00
Female Capital Conversation
Join an exclusive Senior Female Investors Dinner—an evening of meaningful connections, shared insights, and strategic conversations. This invite-only gathering brings together leading women in finance to exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and inspire the next era of impactful investing.
Organizer
HTGF // DN Capital // FIN // TUM
Location
Entrance Requirements
Invite only
Who is it for?
Female Investors
Capacity
30
September 29, 2025
/
16:00
-
20:00
Unofficial pre CIO AI Summit - Networking and Lighting Talks
The Pre CIO AI Summit event is focused on bringing AI industry thought leaders together at the first day of Bits and Bretzels. The focus lays on networking with peers, knowledge exchange and making valuable contacts. Hosted in the Hyperion Hotel right next to Bits and Pretzels, the event is easily reachable from the main conference.
Organizer
Tech-5
Entrance Requirements
Application required
Who is it for?
This event is specifically designed for industry leaders within AI to exchange with peers, solution and service providers.
Capacity
50
September 30, 2025
/
18:30
-
20:30
Envisioning 2026
In this workshop, attendees will be encouraged to dream BIGGER in 2026. Led by marketing and communications consultant and coach Kelly Stratton Owens, a 20-plus-year marcomms veteran, workshop attendees will look inward at what they want most out of their lives, their businesses, and their futures and design a vision board that will inspire them for the upcoming year.
Organizer
Serranova Communications
Location
Entrance Requirements
Registration required
Who is it for?
Visionary entrepreneurs
Capacity
10
September 30, 2025
/
08:30
-
10:00
Bits & Biceps: Hyrox-inspired Morning Community Workout
This year we'd like to offer a "sweatworking" session: We will host a Hyrox-inspired 45-minute HIIT workout with approximately 20 participants for investors, founders and builders - designed to fire up both body. Expect sweat, smiles, and connections that go deeper than small talk. We’ll meet at 8:30AM at Munich Urban and yes there are showers and changing rooms at the venue.
Organizer
Vanagon Ventures
Location
Entrance Requirements
Registration required
Who is it for?
Investors, Builders, Founders - whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just want to shake off the conference stiffness – this session is for all levels.
Capacity
20
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October 1, 2025
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12:00
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16:30
Rethink Wiesn - exclusive lunch with Rethink Ventures and the rockstars of mobility and logistics at the Schützenfestzelt
Right after Bits & Pretzels draws to a close Rethink Ventures invites mobility and logistics lovers to cross the street and join a crowd of like-minded entrepeneurs, investors and industry players. Join us for lunch, great conversations, and a memorable afternoon at the Munich Wiesn.
Organizer
Rethink Ventures
Location
Entrance Requirements
Application required
Who is it for?
Applications are open until September 17th to all entrepeneurs, investors and managers from the transport and logistics industry and will be reviewed by Rethink Ventures. Admission restricted to max. 30 Pax.
Capacity
30
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FAQ
When can I host a Side Event as part of Bits & Pretzels?
Can I organize more than one Side Event?
Can I host a virtual Side Event?
Where can I organize my Side Event?
What am I responsible for as a Side Event host?
How does Bits & Pretzels promote Side Events?
I have more questions—who should I contact?