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Record attendance at the Käpsele Innovation Festival 2026
The third Käpsele Innovation Festival set a new attendance record: around 2,000 participants attended the Freiburg Exhibition Centre on 16 July 2026 – more than ever before. Under the motto ‘The future needs fuel’, FWTM and the Southern Upper Rhine Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) have once again created a space where business, academia, start-ups, politics and society can come together not only to discuss the future, but to actively shape it.
On five stages, high-profile speakers provided inspiration and sparked debate. Among the highlights was the transformation panel featuring Joe Kaeser, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Siemens Energy and Daimler Truck, Birte Hackenjos, CEO of the Haufe Group, and digital expert Aya Jaff. Robin Rombach, founder of Black Forest Labs, Trigema Managing Director Bonita Grupp and investor Christian Miele were key figures in other programme items. The topics covered ranged from artificial intelligence and digital sovereignty to cyber security, defence tech and Europe’s competitiveness.
Away from the stages, the Käpsele proved its worth as a platform for exchange and networking: start-up challenges, technology experience stations and masterclasses – extended to two days for the first time – offered practical insights into new technologies and innovation processes. At the Start-up BW Elevator Pitch State Final 2026, Baden-Württemberg’s top founders presented their business ideas – first place was secured by the Heidelberg-based start-up Linq Photonics GmbH with an innovative solution for light control in quantum computers.
With guests and network partners from Germany, France and Switzerland, the festival has further expanded its international reach and consolidated its role as an innovation platform in the border triangle.
Jens Mohrmann, Managing Director of FWTM: “With the Käpsele Innovation Festival, Freiburg is demonstrating that innovation is by no means confined to the major cities. Here, science, business, start-ups, politics and society come together to discuss the future and launch concrete solutions. The fact that the festival is growing year on year and attracting people to Freiburg from far beyond the region is a strong sign of the dynamism of our innovation ecosystem.”
Dr Dieter Salomon, Chief Executive of the Southern Upper Rhine Chamber of Commerce and Industry: “The Käpsele Festival has impressively demonstrated how innovation comes about: when start-ups, SMEs, academia and politics engage in dialogue and learn from one another. The fact that Freiburg has increasingly established itself as an innovation hub with a reach extending beyond the region is a strong signal for the entire economic area.”
The Käpsele Innovation Festival 2026 was presented by the Haufe Group and made possible by 40 sponsors and over 120 partners. We are already looking ahead: the next edition will take place on 1 July 2027, once again at Messe Freiburg.
