The crazy thing about an ecosystem like Freiburg and the Käpsele is that so many different kinds of people come together here... In a city like Freiburg! I think that’s simply fantastic, and it’s unique in Germany and across Europe.
Start-ups at the Käpsele
Your innovation deserves a platform
The Käpsele Innovation Festival brings together start-ups, companies, investors, research institutions and talented individuals. This is where new ideas, partnerships and opportunities are born – in a place where innovation takes centre stage.
Whether you’re just setting up, planning your first round of funding or already growing: at Käpsele, you’ll meet people who can help you, your idea and your business move forward.
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Speakers
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Panels & Masterclasses
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Start-up Pitches
How was Käpsele 2026 like?
Christian Miele
General Partner, Headline.com
I think that a few years ago, people still expected successful start-ups to come from Berlin or Munich. And now they’re coming from Freiburg too! You can see that for yourself at the Käpsele Innovation Festival.
Larissa Holzki
Journalistin, Handelsblatt
There’s so much going on here that other people don’t know about; everyone thinks it’s Berlin or Munich, but there’s actually a lot happening here.
Rebecca Gottwald
COO, Burda Verlag
Why you should join us
Be inspired by keynote speeches, panel discussions and best practices, and discover new trends, technologies and business models.
Visibility for your innovation
Present your start-up to an audience of innovation enthusiasts from the worlds of business, academia, politics and the media.
Valuable contacts
Make contacts with potential customers, companies, investors and other founders. Use the festival to expand your network in a targeted way.
Pitch opportunities
Present your business idea on stage, receive valuable feedback from experts and win over potential investors and partners.
Part of the start-up community
Become part of a growing innovation ecosystem and network with the start-up scene in Baden-Württemberg and beyond.
Formats for start-ups
The best start-up teams will present their business ideas on stage and compete against each other in the regional final.
When: 16 July 2026 at 10.45 am
Stage: Dr Falk Pharma Stage
Where: SICK Arena, Freiburg
Joint final on the Haufe Group Stage at 7 pm.
Join the discussion with founders, investors, companies and experts on current developments, growth and the future of the start-up ecosystem.
View the programme
The challenges of our time call for bold ideas and innovative solutions. Present your approaches in direct dialogue with companies and potential partners, and work together to develop solutions to real-world challenges.
The stage for bold founders: Present your start-up to investors and a panel of experts, and make the most of this opportunity to gain valuable feedback, make new contacts and explore potential investment opportunities.
Showcase your start-up in the Start-up Area, strike up conversations with visitors, companies and investors, and showcase your innovation to a wide audience.
Using the festival app, you can arrange specific meetings in advance of the event and get in touch with companies, investors, research organisations and other start-up founders.
Your start-up day at the Käpsele Innovation Festival!
Had enough of pure theory? On 16 & 17 July 2026, Freiburg will become the epicentre of the start-up scene.
At the Käpsele Innovation Festival, you won’t find long-winded speeches, but real opportunities: visibility, funding and B2B deals directly with decision-makers from SMEs and the investment community.
- Day 1 (SICK-ARENA): Live pitches, a top-class stage programme and 30 interactive experience stations.
- Day 2 (Lokhalle): Exclusive masterclasses and in-depth sessions in small groups – all included in the ticket price.
Pack your vision and come and join us in Käpsele. We’ve put together your ideal day for you.
Pitch & Connect Challenges 2026
Your solution to a real-world industrial problem
Are you a start-up with a technological solution to one of our business challenges?
In 2026, we offered challenges in the following areas:
- Green technologies & sustainability
- Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
- Security & Resilience
- HR Tech & Talent Retention
- Robotics & Automation
Our event partners for the Startup Stage and the Startup Area
