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Last chance: Only a few tickets left
Demand has exceeded all expectations. Only a few tickets remain for the Käpsele Innovation Festival on 16 July 2026 at the Freiburg Exhibition Centre. Anyone wishing to be there when over 1,500 decision-makers from business, start-ups, science and technology come together should act now.
Now in its third year, Käpsele stands for a clear promise: no predictions about the future, but concrete solutions. Under the motto ‘Because a strong future needs strong fuel’, research meets industry, start-ups meet SMEs, and robotics meets social issues.
A highlight of the programme is the panel discussion on the Haufe Group stage: under the title “Game-changing Transformation: How Europe’s Companies Can Regain Momentum”, Joe Kaeser, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Siemens Energy and Daimler Truck, Birte Hackenjos, CEO of the Haufe Group, and tech expert Aya Jaff will discuss how companies can shape change, drive innovation and remain competitive in a dynamic world.
Joe Kaeser will make another strong contribution with his keynote address “Decide rather than hope: Why courage is the economy’s strongest currency”. Bonita Grupp, an entrepreneur and representative of the next generation of the long-established Trigema brand, will bring the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises to the discussion.
There will also be panels and talks on artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, resilience and defence tech, hands-on technology stations, start-up challenges and the Start-up BW Elevator Pitch State Final 2026 – where Baden-Württemberg’s top founders will showcase the ideas that could shape the next generation of innovation.
With guests and network partners from Germany, France and Switzerland, the Käpsele is expanding beyond the region – and underlining Freiburg’s and the Black Forest’s status as an up-and-coming innovation hub in Europe.
The Käpsele Innovation Festival is presented by the Haufe Group and organised by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the Southern Upper Rhine and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH.
Book your ticket now
