Munich, already electric with the energy of Oktoberfest, transformed into Europe’s ultimate innovation hotspot as Bits & Pretzels opened its doors. Under the powerful banner of “Connecting Europe,” the festival wasn’t just an event. It was a promise. More than 7,500 founders, investors, and decision-makers poured in from over 70 countries, seeking not just connections, but a shared future.
The calls for action were sharp and direct. Niklas Zennström, Skype founder and Atomico CEO, hailed Europe’s founders as its true gamechangers, demanding they embrace greater courage, independence, and assertiveness.
Raycho Raychev, founder of space startup EnduroSat also offered a stark perspective: he championed the power of bold technologies to strengthen democracy, arguing they were far more effective than “angry tweets.” Raychev didn’t stop there, tearing into the continent’s economic bottlenecks: “We still do not operate in a truly open market in Europe,” he declared, criticizing how “outdated management structures” slow down progress and stifle genuine competition.
The time for founders and bold technologies is now
Despite ongoing economic uncertainties and global tensions, one thing was evident this year during the event: Europe is growing closer together. Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche, emphasized that crises offer great opportunities for startups, as the pressure for change on established companies increases and innovation becomes the key to sustainable success.
“Bits & Pretzels is, more than ever, the platform for European innovation. The feedback from the community confirms it: Europe wants to – and, even more importantly – Europe can! And we will do everything we can as a platform to create even more space for collective progress,” said Bernd Storm van’s Gravesande, co-founder of Bits & Pretzels.
Matchmaking with impact: How Bits & Pretzels connects founders and investors
Formats such as the Startup Expo, CIO AI Summit and Investor Summit made European collaboration tangible at Bits & Pretzels. At the Startup Expo, more than 200 startups from across Europe showcased their innovative ideas and solutions. In the Matchmaking Area, founders and investors met in curated one-on-one sessions, supported by experienced networkers who acted as personal guides and fostered valuable connections.
“Our mission is to build bridges – between countries, between capital and ideas, between startups, investors, and corporates,” said Felix Haas, co-founder of Bits & Pretzels. “These bridges were visible everywhere at Bits & Pretzels 2025.”
European Pitch Contest: Sitegeist wins with a smart construction platform
A major highlight was the final round of the European Pitch Contest. The first prize went to Munich-based robotics startup Sitegeist, which has developed an intelligent platform that automates repetitive construction site tasks – improving safety and efficiency. Founder Lena Pätzmann celebrated the win: “Our mission is clear: we want to save infrastructure. Now we have the attention, and we’re ready to get things done.”
