IFAT Munich Startup Area
Discover innovations. Meet startups. Experience solutions for the future. The IFAT Munich Startup Area is the place for young companies, new technologies and forward-looking solutions in environmental technologies. Here, startups meet trade visitors, companies, investors, municipalities and partners from the international IFAT Munich community. The IFAT Munich Startup Area 2026 showed how diverse innovation in water, recycling, circular economy and sustainable technologies already is today.
Impressions from the startup community
What makes the IFAT Munich Startup Area special are the people, ideas and conversations on site. Impressions from the community show how the Startup Area was perceived as a space for exchange, orientation and new contacts.
Recap: IFAT Munich Startup Area 2026
At the IFAT Munich Startup Area 2026, around 50 startups from nearly 20 countries presented their solutions for key challenges in the environmental technology industry. The focus was on practical applications, new business models, product demonstrations and direct exchange with the industry.
The Startup Area was an important part of IFAT Munich: as an innovation space, a networking venue and a platform for the next generation of environmental technology companies.
Why a visit is worthwhile
The IFAT Munich Startup Area is designed for everyone who wants to discover new solutions, young companies and practical innovations in environmental technologies.
For visitors, the Startup Area offers:
- insights into new technologies and business models
- direct exchange with founders and startup teams
- inspiration for cooperation, partnerships and pilot projects
- an overview of current fields of innovation in water, recycling and circular economy
- access to an international startup community within IFAT Munich
IFAT Munich Startup Landscape
The IFAT Munich Startup Landscape shows the startups of IFAT Munich 2026 and their solutions at a glance. It is a useful orientation tool for anyone who wants to learn more about the participating startups after the trade fair, follow up on contacts or identify new points of connection.
Formats of the Startup Area 2026
In 2026, the Startup Area was complemented by various formats that made innovation visible and enabled exchange.
Green Stage
On the Green Stage, ideas, perspectives and solutions around environmental technologies, circular economy and sustainable innovation were discussed.
Startup Solution Tours
The Startup Solution Tours guided visitors to selected startups and provided a compact overview of practical solutions and fields of application.
Startup Night
The Startup Night brought together startups, partners and the IFAT Munich community in a relaxed atmosphere and strengthened exchange beyond the trade fair day.
Partner formats and Awards
Additional pitch and award moments around the Startup Area were contributed by the partner Circular Republic in 2026. They highlighted which technologies and business models from the startup environment can provide impulses for the environmental technology industry.
Impressions from the IFAT Munich Startup Area 2026
Outlook for IFAT Munich 2028
The next IFAT Munich Startup Area is planned for IFAT Munich 2028. It will once again bring together young companies, innovative technologies and relevant players from the environmental technology industry.
2028 will also mark a special milestone: The Startup Area will celebrate its tenth anniversary. This makes IFAT Munich not only a place to look ahead to new solutions, but also to continue the development of a format that has been connecting young companies with the environmental technology industry for years.
For startups: Applications for the IFAT Munich Startup Area 2028 are expected to open in fall 2027. The exact date will be announced on the website in good time.
If you are a startup and are interested in participating, you will find all information on the startup and application page.
Discover the startups of IFAT Munich 2026
The IFAT Munich Startup Landscape provides an overview of the participating startups and their solutions.
Contact
Do you have questions about the IFAT Munich Startup Area or would you like to learn more about future startup formats?
Contact the IFAT Munich startup team:
E-mail: application@ifat.de
What is the IFAT Munich Startup Area?
The IFAT Munich Startup Area is an area within IFAT Munich where startups present innovative solutions for environmental technologies and exchange ideas with the industry.
The IFAT Munich Startup Landscape 2026 provides an overview.
Yes, the next IFAT Munich Startup Area is planned for IFAT Munich 2028. Further information will be published on the website in good time.
Applications for the IFAT Munich Startup Area 2028 are expected to open in fall 2027. The exact date will follow. Startups interested in participating can find more information on the startup and application page.
In 2026, formats around the Startup Area included the Green Stage, Startup Solution Tours, networking formats and the Startup Night. Specific formats for IFAT Munich 2028 will be communicated once they have been officially confirmed.