ChefTreff, one of the most successful event formats in Hamburg's startup scene, is now history. It is being succeeded by the Future Leader Summit, which is expected to attract up to 10,000 people to the CCH conference centre in April 2026.
ChefTreff started out very small
The idea of creating a “platform for students, young professionals, universities, and companies,” organized by students for students, originated in 2017. The first edition at the University of Hamburg attracted between 100 and 200 visitors, and the number grew from year to year. The appearance of Thomas Middelhoff, a manager who was once celebrated but later convicted of embezzlement and tax evasion, caused a stir at ChefTreff 2019. Prominent speakers have become a trademark of ChefTreff, with other examples including TV presenter Marcus Lanz, politician Gregor Gysi, and entrepreneur Michael Otto. In addition, numerous startups have always had a place in the programme.
By 2025, ChefTreff had developed into a two-day event with 5,000 participants, attracting interest far beyond the borders of Hamburg. Consequently, the team led by founder Jan Henri Kalinowski is now taking the next steps toward growth. On the one hand, ChefTreff is being renamed Future Leader Summit to reflect its increasingly international orientation. On the other hand, the event will not take place at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce as in previous years, but at the CCH conference centre on April 10 and 11. The goal is now to attract up to 10,000 guests. However, the focus remains on connecting young talent with companies, respectively encouraging them to start their own businesses.
