Europe's largest startup gathering is coming back to Munich. From September 28 to 30, 2026, Bits & Pretzels will once again coincide with the city's famed Oktoberfest, drawing 7,500 participants, including 2,000 investors, alongside founders, corporate leaders, and policymakers from across Europe and beyond. This year's edition runs under the theme Human After All, keeping the conference's founding mission intact: to help founders connect, learn, and grow.
The 2026 program puts the people behind the technology at the center of the conversation. Headlining the event are media entrepreneur and The Diary of a CEO host Steven Bartlett and comedian, producer, and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah, whose conversations on leadership and society have reached millions worldwide.
Lenka Vranová
"In line with the Human After All theme, the 2026 program spotlights founder resilience, the human qualities that drive success, and how entrepreneurs can build the mindset to achieve their goals,"
— said co-founder Bernd Storm vans Gravesande.
They are joined by leaders from some of Europe's fastest-growing tech companies, including Legora, n8n, Dash0, and Langdock, for discussions spanning applied AI, defense, fintech, deeptech, and space technology.
Co-host Felix Haas pointed to Munich's momentum: "The city is growing fast, especially in deeptech and defense, with outstanding startups and record funding rounds. Munich is clearly becoming one of Europe's leading tech hubs."
True to its "for founders, by founders" ethos, the conference offers a Startup Exhibition for early-stage companies, structured networking sessions, a flagship investor program bringing together more than 2,000 capital providers, and the CIO AI Summit connecting corporate leaders with the startup ecosystem.
"Our mission every year is to give startups the access and visibility they need to succeed," said co-founder Andy Bruckschlögl.
As always, the event will close with its signature tradition: attendees gathering in Munich's Schottenhamel tent at Oktoberfest, where conversations continue over beer.
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