In Hamburg, the summer holidays are just around the corner, and the startup scene is also taking a breather when it comes to events. But only for a short while, as the second half of the year has plenty of events in store that are well worth a visit. This article gives you an overview of the key dates.
The finalists of the AiDiA Pitch 2024 © Mathias Jäger / Hamburg Startups
Events from July to September
Before the summer break, Impossible Founders is hosting the iF Pioneers Demo Day. On 8 July, nine promising teams that have emerged from university projects will present their ideas at Kühne Logistics University. The first highlight after the holidays will be the 3rd Zebra Investment Night on 27 August at the Millerntor Stadium, where impact startups will pitch for real investments. From 1 to 4 September, the Hamburg Messe will host SMM 2026, one of the world’s most important events for the maritime industry. AiDiA will be bigger than ever on 4 and 5 September. Launched in 2022 as a pitch competition for Afro-German founders, it has evolved into a two-day business and culture festival. The venues are the MS Stubnitz and the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle.
The exact date for the Hamburger Gründerpreis – which, based on past experience, is usually in early September – has not yet been announced, but it is almost certain that the Fischauktionshalle will be the venue. The KI Summit will definitely take place on 8 September at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. There are no uncertainties regarding the scoopcamp publishers’ conference either: the date is 9 September and the venue is SPACE. The Reeperbahn Festival, running from 16 to 19 September, isn’t a startup event in the strict sense, but it’s always worth a visit. The NEXT Conference, which is usually embedded in the programme, has been cancelled this year, and its future is uncertain. Fortunately, this does not apply to the Gründergeist competition, which will take place for the 20th time on 17 September at Xperion.
The finalists of the startup competition of the AI.SUMMIT 2025 © Mathias Jäger / Hamburg Startups
Events October to December
Describing itself as a trade fair for everyone who makes technical experiences possible, the leat con will take place from 6 to 8 October at the Hamburg Messe. Also at the Hamburg Messe, two major international events will be held in one venue from 20 to 22 October: the Hydrogen Technology World Expo and the Carbon Capture Technology Expo. At the same time, GATE FUTURE 2026, taking place on 21 and 22 October at the CCH, will focus on the latest developments in the airport industry. Prior to that, the Health-i Awards ceremony is scheduled for 15 October at the Design Zentrum Hamburg.
The HubDay at the Digital Hub Logistics & Commerce on 5 November is by invitation only, but it costs nothing to enquire. Anyone interested in artificial intelligence should make a note of two dates: on 12 November, the AI Media Leaders Conference will take place at the Factory Hammerbrooklyn, and on 24 November, the AI.SUMMIT at the CCH. Detailed information on the venue and date of the Gunnar-Uldall-Wirtschaftspreis award ceremony is not yet available, but it is set to take place in late November or early December, and applications are already being accepted.
Bits&Pretzels at the Oktoberfest © Bits&Pretzels
Events outside Hamburg
Finally, let’s take a look beyond Hamburg’s borders, as it goes without saying that the Hanseatic city isn’t the only place offering attractive startup events. The BIG BANG KI Festival, taking place on 16 and 17 September in Berlin, bills itself as Europe’s leading AI event. HumanX from 22 to 24 September in Amsterdam wouldn't agree and describes itself as the “world’s leading AI conference”. A popular meeting place for the tech and marketing scenes is DMEXCO on 23 and 24 September in Cologne. Bits & Pretzels, taking place in Munich from 28 to 30 September, once again combines a conference with a visit to the Oktoberfest. The Web Summit in Lisbon from 9 to 12 November and Slush in Helsinki on 18 and 19 November are indispensable fixtures on the international startup calendar for a long time.
