InnoStartBonus recipients pitch their innovative business ideas, and members of the Saxony-wide expert jury present their work in startup support. The format combines three-minute InnoStartBonus pitches with three-minute contributions from the jury.

How can we equip young people for tomorrow’s challenges? In this panel, different perspectives show how joint, cross-generational participation can succeed – and why it is crucial for building future skills. Together for more #InnovationmadeinSaxony.

AI automates workflows, accelerates processes and strengthens competitiveness – but it also creates new requirements for organizations and acceptance. In this interactive panel discussion, multipliers in the Saxon Corporate Partner Network show how they optimize their own processes and support SMEs in implementing AI. The focus is on success factors beyond technology – from organizational development and change to acceptance processes and GDPR-compliant implementation.

How do different approaches bring research results into application and the market, and which instruments close gaps in the “valley of death”? Funding models and real-world cases are examined critically – with a focus on benefits, limitations and suitable approaches depending on the project stage.

Discover current robotics patents that offer solutions for your business challenges. Take the opportunity to talk directly with researchers and patent holders on site and initiate cooperations.

Saxony’s startup partners present themselves and their support offers. Each of them also brings along a best-practice team that pitches its business idea and shares an authentic insight into the collaboration – from the first idea to scaling.

Two experienced entrepreneurs share first-hand how innovation and transformation helped them overcome crises in their own companies. They explain why they now invest in innovative startups themselves and what lessons other entrepreneurs can draw for their own transformation journeys.

Learn how companies from Saxony and Silicon Valley successfully use venture clienting to bring innovations to market faster. The session presents practical examples, success factors and strategies for collaboration between established companies and startups in an international context.

In this deep dive, investors and startups share their experiences along the early-stage funding journey – from the first funding gap and investor search to term sheets and follow-on financing. The discussion offers concrete tips on what young teams should watch out for and how to avoid common pitfalls.

How can medium-sized companies successfully take the next growth step? Using a best-practice case, companies and investors show how strategic partnerships, suitable financing instruments and clear long-term visions enable sustainable growth.

This interactive panel and workshop session presents practical strategies for women in tech-driven fields to strengthen their skills for the digital future. It focuses on EdTech solutions, modern learning technologies and empowerment approaches that help women actively shape their careers.

The bioeconomy connects biological resources, technologies and innovation to drive sustainable growth [web:31][web:34]. At the Saxon Innovation Exchange, pioneers from business and science present how bio-based innovations are reshaping industries – from new materials and food products to entire industrial processes.

Participation, co-determination and ownership are being rethought – especially for the next generation of founders. This live podcast episode explores how tokenization enables new models for startups, teams and communities, and what opportunities and questions arise from this development.

Regional and supra-regional innovation networks follow different approaches to connect shared visions and interests among their members. Get to know four models and see how networks accelerate transfer, enable collaboration and help shape new ecosystems.

Ten of the most innovative startups from Saxony present their current funding rounds live to investors. The roadshow offers a compact overview of exciting investment cases and enables direct exchange between founding teams and capital providers.

On the Sustainability Stage we shine a light on valuable partnerships: an interview on a real innovation success story meets best-practice mentoring – complemented by proven mentoring approaches that you can directly apply to your own journey.

Participants learn how impact investing can be used in SMEs to generate both sustainable impact and economic returns [web:42][web:44]. The keynote outlines which stakeholders need to be involved and which concrete steps are required from strategy to implementation.

A practical field report from a lawyer and investor on what startups and business angels should pay attention to when entering into investment agreements – and what they often overlook in practice. Using concrete examples, typical pitfalls, clauses and negotiation mistakes are highlighted, followed by space for Q&A.

The roadshow presents a “best of” selection of BMWK-funded projects from the Forum Digitale Technologien [web:37]. Discover AI-based solutions for the housing industry, home care and knowledge transfer. In the subsequent matchmaking session in the exhibition area, researchers connect with potential users and partners.