Future Needs Friction!
16th July 2026 | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Käpsele 2026 is coming. Experience innovative technology and meet people who really want to make a difference. We bring together thought leaders, founders, companies and curious minds to create a sustainable future!
What can you expect? Inspiration that sticks. Encounters that open doors. And a festival that shows how much power our region has — this is where the right minds come together.
1 day. 5 stages. 1,500 people who make things happen.
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Join us at Käpsele 2026 – book your ticket now
The biggest innovation festival in the south-west is back for another round.
On 16th July 2026, the SICK-ARENA in Freiburg will become a hotspot for visionary minds, in-depth sessions and hands-on technology.
Secure your ticket now and experience a day full of inspiration, thought-provoking panels and genuine networking.
Join us: Startup Challenges Pitch & Connect
You pitch. We connect.
20 selected start-ups will pitch on the Dr. Falk Pharma stage in front of 1,500 decision-makers from SMEs, research and industry. The result? New partnerships and sustainable solutions for the future.
Matchmaking in its purest form:
When encounters lead to innovation
How Pfizer and the spin-off NeuroMentum AI laid the foundations for a joint quantum project at Käpsele 2025.
“Out of the bubble, into the future” – this motto came to life at Käpsele 2025. It was here that Peter Neske and Dierk Bartel from Pfizer met Prof. Dr Tonio Ball from the University Medical Centre Freiburg in person for the first time.
The result of this matchmaking?
A joint report by Pfizer and the spin-off NeuroMentum AI GmbH. Under the title “AI-Q Quantum Diamond Platform”, the partners are now working on a solution to treat breast cancer more precisely using quantum sensors.
Formats with substance:
- 90+ top speakers on multiple stages
- Panels with real-life experiences and controversial debates with friction
- Masterclasses that prioritise practice over PowerPoint
- 20 experience stations that make innovative technologies tangible
- 4,000 m² of networking space for real encounters
- Over 1,200 Käpsele visitors for an exchange on equal terms
Topics that drive us:
- AI
- Robotics
- Digital sovereignty
- Defence and cyber security
- MedTech
- Quantum Tech
- Green Tech
- New Work
Real Käpsele tackle real challenges!
Our service for you
Here you will find all services for the Käpsele Innovation Festival 2026.
Overnight stay
Would you like to stay in Freiburg for a few days longer? Then we have a small selection of hotels near the SICK Arena for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have questions about Käpsele? We have all the questions and answers for you here.