IFAT Munich Startup Area
Make innovation visible. Build contacts. Become part of the IFAT Munich startup community. The next IFAT Munich Startup Area will take place as part of IFAT Munich 2028.
Recap: IFAT Munich Startup Area 2026
The IFAT Munich Startup Area 2026 around 50 young companies from almost 20 countries from the environmental technology industry. Startups presented their solutions, entered into dialogue with companies, investors, municipalities, partners and trade visitors, and became part of a growing IFAT Munich startup community.
The focus was on innovations in water, recycling, circular economy, resource efficiency and sustainable technologies.
Voices from the startup community
The IFAT Munich Startup Area is shaped by the people, ideas and conversations on site. Many participating startups shared their impressions and experiences after the event. These voices show how the Startup Area was perceived as a space for visibility, exchange and new contacts.
Why participating is worthwhile
The IFAT Munich Startup Area gives startups the opportunity to present their solutions to an international trade audience and connect with relevant players from the environmental technology industry.
What the Startup Area offers:
- visibility within IFAT Munich, the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies
- exchange with companies, investors, municipalities and industry experts
- presentation opportunities for innovative products, technologies and business models
- an all-inclusive startup package designed to make trade fair participation as straightforward as possible
- access to the IFAT Munich startup community
- networking formats around the Startup Area
- a professional environment for conversations, partnerships and new contacts
Photos from the Startup Area
View the complete photo gallery of the Startup Area here and download the images you want.
IFAT Munich Startup Landscape
The IFAT Munich Startup Landscape provides an overview of the startups that participated in IFAT Munich 2026 and their solutions. It shows which topics, technologies and business models were represented in the Startup Area, from water technologies and recycling to circular economy and digital solutions.
Use the Startup Landscape to get to know the startups of IFAT Munich 2026 and find inspiration for future partnerships, conversations or your own participation.
Formats around the Startup Area
In 2026, the Startup Area was complemented by various formats designed to support exchange, visibility and networking. These included networking moments, Startup Solution Tours, program items on the Green Stage and the Startup Night.
Comparable formats around the Startup Area are also planned for IFAT Munich 2028. Specific program information will be published as soon as it is available.
Ready for IFAT Munich 2028?
The IFAT Munich Startup Area returns in 2028, giving young companies the opportunity to showcase their solutions to the international environmental technology sector. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the format marks a major milestone. Applications open in autumn 2027. The exact date will be announced here. Subscribe to the IFAT Munich newsletter
Our Strong Partners
Bruno Rudnik is Managing Director of SusTech Consult, an advisory firm specialized on innovation and startups in the environmental technology sector. Besides, he is a Managing Partner at SEF Ventures, a Venture Capital firm investing in early-stage technologies in the sectors of Bioeconomy, Circular Economy and Green Energy. Since 2017 he has been supporting IFAT with the conceptual development and operational implementation of the Startup Area at IFAT Munich.
Bruno Rudnik
Managing Director, SusTech Consult
Managing Partner, SEF Ventures
E-mail: rudnik@sustech-consult.de
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You need assistance?
We are happy to help you. Just contact us at:
Team Startup
E-mail: application@ifat.de
Tel. +49 89 949-20285
Frequently asked questions
The IFAT Munich Startup Area is a central area for young companies presenting innovative solutions for environmental technologies. It combines visibility, exchange and networking within IFAT Munich.
Applications are expected to open in fall 2027. The exact date will be announced on this page in good time.
No, applications are not open yet. All information about the application start will be published on this page in good time.
In 2026, formats around the Startup Area included networking moments, Startup Solution Tours, program items on the Green Stage and the Startup Night. Comparable formats are planned for 2028. Details will follow once the program has been confirmed.
The IFAT Munich Startup Landscape 2026 provides an overview.