Pitch & Connect Challenges 2026
Your solution to a real-world industry challenge
Are you a start-up with a technological solution to one of our business challenges?
Then submit it now! We are looking for innovations with implementation potential in the following areas:
- Green technologies & sustainability
- Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
- Security & Resilience
- HR Tech & Talent Retention
- Robotics & Automation
20 pitches! You can pitch in German or English.
Are you in? Then apply by 22 May 2026!
The Käpsele Pitch & Connect Challenges put you right in front of your target audience.
Make the most of the opportunity to pitch to potential industry clients and network with decision-makers both in person and via our matching app!
Pitch & Connect Challenges
Find the business challenge that suits your solution!
Applications close on 22th May 2026
Challenge 1: Green technologies & sustainability
What’s it all about?
Industrial companies need to reduce emissions, use energy and materials more efficiently, and provide robust evidence of their compliance with sustainability requirements. We are looking for scalable solutions that address these levers throughout the industrial value chain – from products and processes to the circular economy and recycling.
Challenge question:
How does your solution help companies reduce emissions and use resources more efficiently – whilst integrating into existing production processes?
Possible approaches
- CO₂ and energy monitoring: data collection, analysis and optimisation
- Process and plant optimisation: AI-supported analyses to increase efficiency and reduce waste
- Digital twins and simulations: Environmental impact analyses of production and logistics processes
- Circular economy & recycling processes: Material passports, take-back and recycling systems, use of recycled materials
- ESG and reporting solutions: data management, supply chain transparency and compliance support
Challenge 2: Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
What’s it all about?
In the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, supply and manufacturing must function reliably despite cost pressures and staff shortages – whilst meeting stringent requirements regarding quality, data protection and regulation. We are looking for scalable solutions that measurably improve supply, development, production or supply chains.
Challenge question:
How can your solution help to make processes and supply chains in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors safer, more efficient and easier to integrate – whilst taking data protection and regulatory requirements into account?
Possible approaches:
- Digital care & remote monitoring: telemonitoring, wearables/sensors, homecare integration, patient pathways
- AI-powered decision support: Support for diagnostics and documentation
- Workflow & process automation: Optimisation of administrative processes
- Data repositories & interoperability: Secure integration between clinical systems
- Quality & Compliance: Digital quality management in regulated environments
- Supply Chain & Track-and-Trace: Transparency in transport and availability
- Pharmaceutical production & GMP processes: Digital batch records and monitoring
- Manufacturing Analytics: Data-driven optimisation of production processes
- QC/Laboratory & Release Processes: Automated documentation and approvals
Challenge 3: Security & Resilience
What’s it all about?
Economic uncertainty, rising costs and volatile markets are compounded by operational risks such as outages, supply chain bottlenecks and cyberattacks. We are looking for scalable solutions that identify risks at an early stage and sustainably enhance the resilience of systems and processes.
Challenge question:
How can your solution help to strengthen the security and resilience of systems and processes within organisations?
Possible approaches:
- Cybersecurity & protective measures: Securing IT and OT system landscapes
- Security Monitoring & Incident Response: Structured response processes
- Recovery & Resilience: Backup and recovery solutions
- Early warning systems: Monitoring of cost, market and supplier dependencies
- Scenario & stress tests: Analysis of demand and capacity trends
- Business Continuity: Structured emergency and crisis management
- Compliance & Evidence Management: Audit and reporting obligations
Challenge 4: HR Tech & Talent Retention
What’s it all about?
A shortage of skilled workers and changing expectations regarding work are increasing the need for effective approaches to retaining, developing and utilising skills. We are looking for scalable solutions that support skills development, improve collaboration and retain staff in the long term.
Challenge question:
How does your solution help companies to identify skills within the organisation, develop them in a targeted manner and retain employees in the long term?
Possible solutions:
- Skill and competence management: Developing existing employee skills
- Digital learning platforms: Individual training and learning pathways
- AI-supported talent development: recruitment and internal mobility
- Knowledge and collaboration tools: Structured use of experiential knowledge
- HR analytics & feedback systems: Data-driven personnel development
- Digital onboarding and offboarding processes: Structured induction and knowledge transfer during role changes
- Engagement and pulse tools: Regular short surveys on satisfaction, retention and areas requiring action
Challenge 5: Robotics & Automation
What’s it all about?
Automation is a key lever for addressing cost and quality pressures, as well as the shortage of skilled workers in production and logistics. We are looking for scalable solutions that can be implemented quickly and integrated into existing systems, processes and IT/OT environments.
Challenge question:
How does your technology help companies to implement automation solutions quickly and integrate them into existing plant and IT/OT structures?
Possible solutions:
- Robotics & assistance systems: cobots, mobile robotics, grippers/end-effectors, service-oriented robotics
- Machine Vision & AI: Quality inspection, object recognition, position determination, AI-supported process control
- Predictive Maintenance & Condition Monitoring: condition monitoring, failure prediction, maintenance optimisation
- Workflow automation: Interfaces, orchestration, shop floor data collection, end-to-end traceability
- Human-Machine Interfaces: No-code/low-code for commissioning, intuitive operating concepts, digital work instructions
- Upskilling & Training: AR/VR-supported training, simulation, secure commissioning processes
- Security & Operations in OT Environments: IT/OT convergence, access concepts, secure integration into existing systems
Can't find a suitable challenge?
Then bring your innovative business model to the stage at Pitch & Fly: The Lions’ Hour.
Four selected start-ups will pitch their solutions to the Black Forest Business Angels and secure the chance to present themselves to experienced investors and answer their questions.
A format for anyone who wants to bring their idea to life and show what it can become.
Your path to the Startup Stage:
Why should you join Pitch & Connect?
We’ll take you to the Käpsele Innovation Festival for free and put you right on the start-up stage. Seize this opportunity to showcase your product to your target audience and take your business to the next level!
Advantages
Direct access to 1,500 small and medium-sized business owners and potential partners at the festival, for initial contracts or pilot projects.
Access to the start-up area for face-to-face discussions with accelerators, SME representatives and network partners from the regional start-up ecosystem.
Exposure via our channels, a prominent opportunity to pitch on stage.
Access to the Käpsele network, follow-up programmes and further support after the festival.
2 free tickets to the festival, worth over €200, for you and your team.
You can find all the details about the Start-up Stage here:
Your path to the Käpsele start-up stage
How to apply:
- Select: Find the challenge for which you are proposing a solution.
- Fill out: Click on the button and fill out the form (takes approx. 4 minutes).
- Wait: We’ll let you know by 19th June 2026 whether you’re among the finalists.
- Pitch: Present your innovation at the Käpsele Festival to top decision-makers! You can pitch in German or English.
Key deadlines at a glance:
- Application deadline: 22th May 2026
- Feedback: 19th June 2026
Can’t find a suitable challenge for your start-up?
Want to pitch but can’t find a challenge that suits your business solution?
Are you looking for investors?
Then apply for one of the four coveted Pitch & Fly spots on the Dr. Falk Pharma stage at Käpsele 2026 in front of the Black Forest Business Angels – secure your chance to present your start-up to experienced investors and answer their questions.
About the Black Forest Business Angels
No pitch – but still fancy a game of skittles?
Then our Start-up Ticket is just the thing for you and your team!
Direct access to SMEs and potential partners at the festival for initial contracts or pilot projects.
Top speakers from across Europe, panels and workshops, interactive stations and much more.
Our event partners for the Startup Stage and the Startup Area
With the support of
Our start-up network partners
