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● Meetup only: Attend the main conference and networking sessions.
● Meetup + Dinner: Join us for the main conference and stay for the optional dinner to connect further.
Meetup Only
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Meetup + Dinner
1.30 pm - 9.30 pm

MUNICH
INNOVATION
ECOSYSTEM Meetup

26th February 2026
IHK für München und Oberbayern

MUNICH 
INNOVATION 
ECOSYSTEM Meetup

26ᵀᴴ February 2025
IHK für München und Oberbayern
Max-Joseph-Straße 2, 80333 München
00
Days
00
Hours
00
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Claim your ticket

Please select your preference for participation:
● Meetup only: Attend the main conference and networking sessions (1.30 pm - 6.15 pm).
● Meetup & Dinner: Join us for the main conference and stay for the networking dinner to connect further
(1.30 pm - 9.30 pm).
Meetup Only
1.30 pm - 6.15 pm
+
Meetup + Dinner
1.30 pm - 9.30 pm
Claim Ticket

SHAPING THE FUTURE TOGETHER - IN MUNICH

Be part of an exclusive gathering of 250 top decision-makers from business, academia, politics, startups, and venture capital. Under the theme “Innovating in the age of AI: Shaping positive futures” this invite-only event offers a platform to explore bold ideas, foster impactful collaborations, and drive innovation for Bavaria’s future.

What to expect

Inspiring Keynotes

This is Gain insights from leaders shaping the innovation landscape.text inside of a div block.

High-Impact Networking

Connect with industry leaders and changemakers during dedicated networking sessions and a relaxed dinner.

Engaging Discusisons

Dive into pressing topics like AI, SME-startup collaboration, and leveraging student potential.

Expert Panel Debate

Hear diverse perspectives on future-ready innovations.

Inspiring Keynotes

Gain insights from leaders shaping the AI innovation landscape.

High-Impact Networking

Connect with industry leaders and changemakers during dedicated networking sessions and a relaxed dinner.

Engaging Discussions

Dive into pressing topics like AI, SME-startup collaboration, and leveraging student potential.

Expert Panel Debate

Hear diverse perspectives on future-ready innovations.

Save your spot now and join us on February 26th 2026, at IHK Munich!

Claim your ticket

Please select your preference for participation:
● Meetup only: Attend the main conference and networking sessions.
● Meetup + Dinner: Join us for the main conference and stay for the optional dinner to connect further.
Meetup Only
1.30 pm - 6.15 pm
+
Meetup + Dinner
1.30 pm - 9.30 pm
Claim Ticket

Agenda

This agenda is subject to updates as we finalize speakers and sessions. Stay tuned for more details!

Welcome

2.00 – 2.10 pm
Frizzi Engler-Hamm, CEO - MUNICH INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
Dr. Manfred Gößl, Managing Director - IHK for Munich and Upper Bavaria
Tina Teucher, Moderator

Keynote

2.10 – 2.30 pm
“Radically Human: Creativity & AI in the Age of Acceleration”
Dr. Frederik G. Pferdt, Google’s First Chief Innovation Evangelist, Adjunct Professor, Stanford University

AI Impulses

2.30 – 2.45 pm
Emily Kate Genatowski, Experimential AI Researcher
Dr. Laura Dornheim, CDO - City of Munich
Leonardo Benini, Co-Founder - Helmit

Fireside Chat

2.45 – 3.00 pm
Tobias Gotthardt, State Secretary - Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy
Christoph Angerbauer, Member of the Executive Board - IHK for Munich and Upper Bavaria
Moderation: Prof. Matthias Notz, CEO - Start2 Group

Networking Break

3.00 – 3.30 pm

Parallel Sessions

3.30 – 4.15 pm
Session 1: Workshop "From Angst to Agency: How to Turn Uncertainty into Creative Power"
Dr. Frederik G. Pferdt, Google’s First Chief Innovation Evangelist, Adjunct Professor, Stanford University

Session 2: AI Deep Dive
Prof. Dr. Helmut Schönenberger, CEO - UnternehmerTUM
Dr. Philipp Baaske, Vice President Entrepreneurship - LMU, Co-Founder - NanoTemper
Romy Schnelle, Managing Director - HTGF
Moderation: Frizzi Engler-Hamm, CEO - MUNICH INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

Networking Break

4.15 – 4.45 pm

Keynote

4.45 – 5.00 pm
What does it take to become an AI-Augmented Leader?
Prof. Dr. Yasmin Weiß, Professor, supervisory board member, author & speaker

AI Startup Pitches

5.00 – 5.45 pm
Pulsetrain
Cyberdesk
ExoMatter
Optiwiser
ESG-X
PANTOhealth
SEAL Robotics
Tatkraft AI
‍
Jury:
- Dr. Oliver Schoppe, Principal - UVC
- Franziska Neuberger,  Head of Digitalisation & ICT Department - IHK for Munich and Upper Bavaria
- Johanna Hinz, IT Innovation & Emerging Technologies - BMW Goup
- Prof. Dr. Klaus Sailer, CEO - Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship gGmbH
- Nikola Nikolic, StartUp-Manager & Brand Ambassador StartUp-Center - Stadtsparkasse München

Panel Discussion

5.45 – 6.00 pm
Stefan Mesken, Chief Scientist - DeepL
Daniela Rittmeier, Head of Gen AI Accelerator - Capgemini
Moderator: Michael Gindert, Strategy Lead - AI NATION

Final Reflection, Startup Pitching Award & Closing

6.00 – 6.10 pm
‍Prof. Matthias Notz, CEO - Start2Group GmbH
‍Nikola Nikolic, StartUp-Manager & Brand Ambassador StartUp-Center - Stadtsparkasse München
Frizzi Engler-Hamm, CEO - Munich Innovation Ecosystem GmbH

Networking Dinner

6.30 – 9.30 pm
Connect with peers, exchange ideas, and foster collaborations in a relaxed setting.

Speaker

Dr. Frederik G.
Pferdt

Future Optimist | Educator | Entrepreneur | Award-Winning Author

Prof. Dr. Yasmin
Weiß

Professor, supervisory board member, author & speaker

Tobias
Gotthardt

State Secretary
Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy

Dr. Manfred
Gößl

Managing Director
IHK for Munich and Upper Bavaria

Dr. Philipp
Baaske

Vice President Entrepreneurship LMU
Co-Founder NanoTemper

Prof. Dr. Helmut
Schönenberger

CEO
UnternehmerTUM GmbH

Prof. Matthias
Notz

CEO
Start2 Group GmbH

Prof. Dr. Klaus
Sailer

CEO
Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship gGmbH

Frizzi
Engler-Hamm

CEO
Munich Innovation Ecosystem GmbH

Stefan
Mesken

Chief Scientist
DeepL

Christoph
Angerbauer

Member of the Executive Board
IHK for Munich and Upper Bavaria

Romy
Schnelle

Managing Director
HTGF

Dr. Oliver
Schoppe

Partner
UVC Partners

Emily Kate
Genatowski

Experimential
AI Researcher

Dr. Laura
Dornheim

CDO
City of Munich

Daniela
Rittmeier

Head of Gen AI Accelerator
Capgemini

Leonardo
Benini

Co-Founder
Helmit

Michael
Gindert

Strategy & Technology Lead
AI NATION

Franziska
Neuberger

Head of Digitalisation & ICT Department
IHK for Munich and Upper Bavaria

Nikola
Nikolic

StartUp-Manager & Brand Ambassador StartUp-Center
Stadtsparkasse München

Johanna
Hinz

IT Innovation & Emerging Technologies
BMW Group

Tina
Teucher

Sustainable Matchmaker
Moderator

Niclas
Lehnert

COO
PULSETRAIN

Dr. Tobias
Lieberum

Founder & Managing Director
CyberDesk GmbH

Barbara
Bachus

Co-Founder
ExoMatter

Maximilian
Köhler

Co-Founder & Managing Director
Optiwiser A.I. Solutions

Mina
Kolagar

Co-Founder & Innovation Manager
PANTOhealth

Benedikt
Höcherl

CEO
Tatkraft AI

Valentin
Aman

Managing Director
ESG-X GmbH

Marie-Elisabeth
Makohl

Chief Executive Officer
SEAL Robotics GmbH

More Speaker to be announced soon! Until then, take a look at last year’s lineup.

🠖 Speaker of 2025

Markus
Blume

Minister of State for Science and Arts

Tobias
Gotthardt

State Secretary for Economic Affairs

Dominik
Krause

Deputy Mayor of Munich

Sarah
Wittlieb

Vice President Sales and Innovation
LabCampus GmbH

Christoph
Angerbauer

Member of the Executive Board
IHK für München und Oberbayern

Thomas
Sattelberger

Angel Investor, Member of Parliament 2017 - 2022, former Parliamentary State Secretary

Prof. Dr. Helmut
Schönenberger

CEO
UnternehmerTUM

Prof. Dr. Klaus
Sailer

CEO
Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship

Prof. Matthias
Notz

CEO
Start2Group

Frizzi
Engler-Hamm

CEO
Munich Innovation Ecosystem GmbH

Thomas
Oehl

General Partner
Vsquared Ventures

Prof. Dr. Michael
Dowling

Chairman
Münchner Kreis

Daniela
Rittmeier

Head of Data & AI Center of Excellence
Capgemini

Katharina
Kreitz

CEO & Co-Founder
Vectoflow

Anna
Bauer-Mehren

Head of Integrated Clinical Analytics
Roche Innovation Center Munich & AI-Council Baiosphere

Prof. Dr. Rafaela
Kraus

Vice President Entrepreneurship
Universität der Bundeswehr München

Michael
Gindert

Strategic Operations Lead
Munich Innovation Ecosystem GmbH & AI NATION

Anna
Wörner

CEO
Leadventure

Partners

Become a partner
AI NATION
appliedAI Institute
Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy
Bayern Kapital
BayStartUP
BMW
Capgemini
City of Munich
EXIST
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Frauen Verbinden
Google
Gründerland Bayern
HTGF
IHK für München und Oberbayern
LabCampus
LMU Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
Lufthansa
Messe München
munich business
Messe München
Stadtsparkasse München
Start2Group
Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship
Technical University Munich
TUM Venture Labs
University of Applied Sciences Munich
UnternehmerTUM
Urban Progress

MUNICH 
INNOVATION 
ECOSYSTEM Meetup

26th February 2026
IHK für München und Oberbayern
Max-Joseph-Straße 2, 80333 München
events@munich-ecosystem.de
+49 173 5115036
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