STARTUPS

Hinterland of Things is the place for ambitious B2B tech founders who want more than just inspiration. They want customers, pilots, and long-term partners. As a startup, you get direct access to decision-makers from the German Mittelstand and global players who are actively looking for concrete solutions, not just ideas. Be part of #Hinterland26 on 18 June 2026!

where b2b startups meet real demand

At Hinterland of Things 2026, you are not just another badge in a crowd. You are part of a curated group of ambitious B2B startups that meet decision-makers from leading Mittelstand companies and industry innovators. Use this day to validate your solution, open doors, and accelerate your go-to-market in Europe’s strongest industrial regions.

Connect with Mittelstand champions

GET FUNDED, PERIOD.

REAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Meet corporate buyers, innovation leads, and business unit owners who arrive with clear challenges and an active interest in startup collaboration.

HIGH-SIGNAL EXPOSURE

Showcase your product on a curated startup exhibition floor, surrounded by leading B2B tech players – not generic consumer startups.

DEEP INDUSTRY INSIGHTS IN ONE DAY

Learn from founders, operators, and Mittelstand leaders who share what actually works in B2B sales, implementation, and scaling.

ACCESS TO A TRUSTED ECOSYSTEM

Tap into the Hinterland network and Founders Foundation resources — from experts and mentors to corporate partners and investors who stay engaged beyond the conference.

who you'll meet

HIDDEN CHAMPIONS

Meet owners, C-level executives, and innovation leaders from Germany’s mid-sized powerhouses who are searching for tech-solutions

CORPORATE INNOVATORS

Talk directly to the people who run digital units, innovation labs, and transformation projects – the ones who can set up pilots and internal champions for your solution.

B2B INVESTORS

Connect with leading early-stage and growth investors who understand long sales cycles, complex stakeholders, and industry-specific go-to-market playbooks.

LIKE-MINDED FOUNDERS

Exchange experiences with fellow B2B founders who face the same challenges – from enterprise sales to integrations and fundraising.

Why it matters 2026

Mittelstand is ready to move

German Mittelstand companies know they must digitalize and decarbonize. And they are actively looking for startup partners with specific solutions.

B2B focus, no distractions

The entire conference is built around B2B tech. Every stage, every format, every meeting is designed for founders who sell to businesses, not consumers.

From visibility to implementation

You don’t just pitch on stage and leave. At Hinterland, the goal is to turn interest into pilots, projects, and long-term collaborations.

Is #hinterland26 the right fit for you?

You are a B2B startup with a clear product and first traction?

You work on topics such as climate tech, industrial tech, productivity or AI?

You are ready to talk about specific use cases, ROI, and implementation, not just vision?

You want to build or expand your presence in the European industrial ecosystem?

how to make the most of your day AT #HINTERLAND26

Prepare your use cases

Frame your product around specific problems for manufacturing, logistics, energy, HR, or productivity. It makes conversations with Mittelstand partners much more effective.

Target your meetings

Use the conference app to schedule meetings with the right people in advance: corporate decision-makers, investors, and potential partners.

Stay connected after the event

Leverage the Hinterland ecosystem to continue projects, investments, and collaborations after the event.

GET FUNDED, PERIOD.

GET DISCOVERED BY THE TOP EUROPEAN INVESTORS AND FUNDS

At our event, we streamline your search for the ideal investor through our curated selection of topics.

FIND CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH LEADING COMPANIES

Unveil the potential of your startup to present your product in front of over 900 c-level and decision makers.

CATCH UP WITH LEADING STARTUPS AND TECH TRENDS

Our platform is designed to foster meaningful connections, making it simpler than ever to meet like-minded entrepreneurs and talented individuals eager to contribute to your vision.

HINTERLAND OF THINGS CONFERENCE

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

TICKETS SOLD 98%

15 % LATE BIRD DISCOUNT - CODE: LATE15

A CONFERENCE BUILD FOR PROGRESS

DATA BASED FROM OUR CONFERENCE APP 2025

CONNECTIONS

MEETINGS

LEAD SCANS

CHATS

+8.700

+800

+600

+8.500

HANDSHAKE WITH YOUR NEXT INVESTOR

BUILD YOUR OWN SUCCESS STORY

B2B STARTUPS

ATTENDED

PRE HINTERLAND

TODAY

2020

367.5 MIO USD

2.4 BN USD

2019

28.2 MIO USD

724.3 MIO USD

2020

138 MIO USD

646.9 MIO USD

2020

106 MIO USD

350.6 MIO USD

SPEAKER 2025

CHRISTIAN HÜLSEWIG

CEO SCHÜTTFLIX

CHRISTIAN HÜLSEWIG

CEO SCHÜTTFLIX

CHRISTIAN HÜLSEWIG

CEO SCHÜTTFLIX

CHRISTIAN HÜLSEWIG

CEO SCHÜTTFLIX

WANT TO BE PART OF THE HOTTEST 100 B2B STARTUPS IN GERMANY?

GET YOUR TICKET TODAY

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

A SELECTED MENU OF TOPICS THAT REALLY MATTER

GREEN TECHNOLOGY

The surge in green initiatives and policies worldwide is fueling demand for climate tech, offering vast opportunities for entrepreneurs and researchers.

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

The era of educational technology has revolutionized learning by integrating digital tools and AI, making education more accessible, personalized, and engaging.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The intersection of productivity and AI is a dynamic and transformative area, marked by AI-driven solutions that enhance efficiency and decision-making in various sectors.

PRODUCTION & AUTOMATION

Industrial technology is a rapidly evolving field, offering significant opportunities in automation and robotics, which enhance efficiency and create new roles in system design and maintenance.

A SELECTED MENU OF TOPICS THAT REALLY MATTER

PRODUCTIVITY & AI

AI is redefining how work gets done - from HR and learning processes to finance and back-office operations. As intelligent systems increasingly automate routine tasks and augment human decision-making, organizations face a decisive moment: reinvent workflows, upskill people, and build cultures that can harness this new productivity frontier. The transformation is not optional; it is already underway.

INDUSTRIAL TECH

Industrial technology remains the backbone of Europe’s economy, yet it stands at a crossroads shaped by global competition, rising complexity, and urgent sustainability demands. As the Heart of B2B Entrepreneurship, this shows how the next generation of industrial innovation can secure Europe’s economic resilience. We spotlight technologies, founders, and strategies shaping what a future-ready industrial ecosystem must look like.