AN EVENT FOR INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING AND EXCHANGE FOR STARTUPS

SAXONY!visit - STARTUP CONNECT
 

We are thrilled to invite you to Startup Connect 2025, taking place from June 19–22 in Chemnitz, Germany – a city in transformation and proud host of the European Capital of Culture 2025. Over four exciting days, you'll connect with 60+ entrepreneurs, innovators, and makers from across Europe and beyond. From exclusive startup pitches to behind-the-scenes company visits, and from expert panels to cultural city tours – this is your chance to showcase your vision, gain valuable insights, and build lasting partnerships.
 

In order to participate in our events, a short registration HERE at agorify is necessary

PROGRAM CONTENT
 

• Get to know international Startups; their challenges and their way to success...

• Networking! Exchange on how to establish a startup and what support is important...

• How can support be realised across countries...

• What are the different and shared conditions for startups in the respective countries and regions..

• What projects are currently being worked on...

• How to connect to and involve established companies in your venture...

• Integration and mentoring... 

startup connect 2025 - international startup festival

Infomation and application: manuela.zenk ( @ ) stadt-chemnitz.de

 

       AGENDA
 

       THURSDAY, 19.06.2025
 

• Arrival 6 – 8 pm
   

• Reception in the town hall with the Mayor of Chemnitz in the Green Saloon - with food and drinks

          Carillion and climbing the tower of the town hall
 

         FRIDAY, 20.06.2025
 

• 10 – 12 am Wirkbau Chemnitz: Visit and get to know the company Staffbase GmbH,
  ​the only unicorn in the East of Germany 

         Pitch of the Startups from Łódź, Poland 
 

• 11:45 – 1 pm Lunch
   

• 1:30 – 3 pm
  Technologie Centrum Chemnitz (TCC)  / Startup-Building

          Visit Novajet GmbH and Pitch of the Startups from Manchester UK 

​

• 3:30 – 5 pm
  Vector Lab Makerspace Gießerstraße
  (probably with the Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Labor, Energy and Climate Protection in Saxony)

         Pitch of the Startups from Nova Gorica / Gorizia

         

• 5 – 6 pm

         City tour plus Hartmann Fabrik  (Focus at Capital of Culture)

         Transfer in a bus

 

•  From 6:30 pm Industriemuseum tour and snacks

         SATURDAY, 21.06.2025
 

• 10 am - 1 pm

         The Stadthalle Chemnitz, Official opening of the makers united festival
          with the delegations from the partner cities and a visit to the diverse and innovative participating exhibitors.
          Pitch of the Startups from Usti nad Labem, Vilnius and Chemnitz 

          Welcome by the Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony

 

• 2 – 4 pm

         The Stadthalle Chemnitz
         Symposium " Startup Connect 2025 “

         
         Talk 1  :    Dr. Maria Stukoff, University of Salford Manchester,  Morson Maker Space  Director -
                            Startups und Maker Spaces - how do they synergise ...
          Talk 2. :  Dr. Mohamad Bdiwi, Botfellows GmbH
                             Global in, global out: How Botfellows is making Chemnitz the hub for robotics
          Talk 2. :   Joseph Stephens, Founder and COO/CFO of NanoSen.  
                              4 founders from 4 continents for 1 company - Intercultural Challenges for Startups 
          Talk 3  :   Susanne Kremeier, Managing Director PEOPLE & RESULTS.
                              From Garage to Growth - The real Start-Up Challenge  

          Talk 4  :   Anouk Wipprecht, FahionTech Labs NL
                              Inspirational Maker Talk FASHION TECH -  
                              Where fashion meets technology; the intersection of fashion, robotics and sensory technologies.
           Talk 5 :   Ferdinand Doblhammer and Lea Karnutsch, Flipthecoi.n 
                              The medium of dance and critically examining the interface of motion tracking -
                              A merging together of media art, music,  and choreography.

          Moderation: Silvana Bergk, Dept. Economic Development, City of Chemnitz
 

• In the evening:

         Makers united networking event (complementary food and drinks)

 

         SUNDAY, 22.06.25
 

         Possibility of visiting makers united to exchange
         Departure