Investor Summit

The Bits & Pretzels Investor Summit is a one-day event designed for over 1,500 prominent venture capitalists (VCs) and more than 300 limited partners (LPs). This summit occurs during the Bits & Pretzels Festival, coinciding with Munich's Oktoberfest, and features structured networking, focused discussions, and valuable investment insights. It provides a platform for European investors and LPs to engage with founders, scaleups, and other investors in a private setting, promoting collaborations that drive innovation and growth.

Reasons to Attend

Networking Opportunities

• Engage with 1,500 VCs and over 300 LPs in organized, meaningful interactions.

Insightful Sessions

• Participate in curated discussions covering venture trends, emerging markets, and investment strategies.

Private Access

• Utilize the exclusive Investor Lounge for focused networking experiences.

Time Efficiency

• Maximize networking potential by condensing months of interactions into a single impactful day.

Focus Areas

• Venture Capital Trends
• Investment Strategies
• Emerging Markets

Intended Audience

• Investors & LPs: Including venture capitalists, institutional investors, family offices, and angel networks.
• Founders & Scaleups: Selected startups and scaleups seeking funding and strategic alliances.
• Corporate Executives: Key decision-makers interested in engaging with innovative startups.

What to Anticipate

• Structured networking with 1,500 VCs and over 300 LPs.
• Private Investor Lounge for meaningful interactions.
• Access to the complete 3-day Bits & Pretzels Festival.
• Premium side events for peer networking.
• Networking opportunities at Oktoberfest in Munich.
• Curated discussions on current European venture trends.
• Chance to connect with emerging scaleups and founders.

Event Duration and Format

One-day summit within the larger three-day festival.

Scale

More than 1,500 VCs and 300 LPs expected.

Special Features

• Private Investor Lounge for focused networking.
• Access to the Bits & Pretzels Festival.
• Curated discussions on venture capital topics.

Notable Speakers & Thought Leaders (2025 Examples)

• Sven Strohband – Managing Director, Khosla Ventures
• Marcus Brennecke – Institutional Partner & Chairman EQT Foundation, EQT Partners
• Franziska Kayser – Partner & Head of European TMT, KKR
• Andrei Brasoveanu – Partner, Accel
• Julia Thiele-Schürhoff – Entrepreneur & Impact Investor, Juluna
• Stefan Wintels – CEO, KfW
• Bjorn Tremmerie – Head of Division, TechEU & Western Europe, European Investment Fund
• Alex Lim – General Partner, IVP
• Greg Schmitt – Head of Private Equity & Co-Investments, MEAG
• Simon Schmincke – General Partner, Creandum
• Joe Schorge – Founder & Managing Partner, Isomer Capital
• Dr. Hendrik Brandis – Co-Founder & Partner, Earlybird VC

(Speaker lineups may vary each year; complete lists will be available prior to the summit.)

Historical Overview

• 2013–14: Initiated with a founder breakfast featuring 80 attendees; established the Bits & Pretzels ethos.
• 2015–17: Festival attendance increased to 3,500–5,000, emphasizing quality over quantity.
• 2018: Keynote by Tarana Burke, focusing on diversity and inclusion.
• 2019: Keynote by President Barack Obama, garnering global attention.
• 2022: Festival reunited the European startup community after a hiatus.
• 2024: Introduction of the inaugural Investor Summit and CXO Summit.

Regularly Participating Funds

Includes prominent VC and LP firms from across Europe such as:

KKR, Accel, EQT Partners, Earlybird VC, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Isomer Capital, MEAG, and others.