The future of the economy comes together in Freiburg

Under the slogan “The future needs a spark”, the Freiburg Exhibition Centre will become the central hub for innovation on 16 July 2026. This year’s Käpsele Innovation Festival will provide practical answers to the most pressing questions surrounding artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, sustainability and the competitiveness of Europe as an industrial hub.

Organised by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the Southern Upper Rhine and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH (FWTM), the event brings together start-ups, SMEs, industry, academia and politics. The focus is not on theoretical PowerPoint slides, but on concrete solutions and the direct exchange of experiences.

High-profile speakers and live podcasts

Visitors can look forward to exciting discussions with leading figures from the worlds of business and technology. Among those taking part are top executive Joe Kaeser, digital expert Aya Jaff, Robin Rombach (Black Forest Labs), Christian Miele (speaking on the topic of ‘EU Inc.’ and Europe as a start-up hub), and Bonita Grupp, who will provide insights into business succession at Trigema.

A special highlight: one of Germany’s best-known business and tech programmes, the Handelsblatt podcast ‘Disrupt’, is coming to Freiburg live. Presenter Larissa Holzki will be speaking on site with Robin Rombach about the future of AI technology and Europe’s opportunities in global competition.

Hands-on innovations and opportunities to get involved

The festival is characterised by its strong practical focus:

• Start-up Challenges: Established companies bring real-world challenges from sectors such as green tech, AI, robotics and healthcare onto the stage. Start-ups then present their innovative solutions live to investors and SME representatives.
• Two-day masterclasses: For the first time, experts will spend two days working in small groups on specific issues relating to AI integration and sustainable transformation, using methods that can be applied directly within their own companies.
• Hands-on stations: Developments in the fields of MedTech, robotics and GreenTech can be experienced first-hand at numerous stations.

A tri-national platform and the grand regional final

The festival is increasingly expanding beyond national borders. As a tri-national innovation platform, it brings together partners and guests from Germany, France and Switzerland. International speakers and English-language programme items underline its European ambition.

Another highlight awaits in the evening: the state final of the Start-up BW Elevator Pitch 2026. Baden-Württemberg’s most successful founders will compete against one another for the state title and prize money from L-Bank. The subsequent awards ceremony on the Haufe Group stage will lead straight into the networking party.

The festival at a glance:

• Date: 16 July 2026
• Venue: Messe Freiburg, SICK Arena

Buy tickets here