Design Smarter Startup Ecosystem Strategy. For Real Economic Impact.
Join RISE & SCALE – an exclusive, interactive ecosystem strategy event in Munich that equips you with actionable frameworks, peer insights, and proven tools to help your ecosystem scale companies – not just start them.
-> Evaluate your local ecosystem using global best practices and benchmarks
-> Solve policy and support challenges with peers and ecosystem Growth Guides
-> Leave with concrete tools you can use at home
- Thursday, June 5 | 12 PM
- NachtKantine, Grafinger Straße 6, 81671 Munich
Limited to 90 participants – invitation only!
Secure your spot today!
Why Attend
With immersive storytelling, structured peer learning, and expert facilitation, Rise & Scale is designed to drive tangible impact, supporting startups expand globally while strengthening local innovation systems.
What You’ll Walk Away With:
A customized assessment
- of your startup and scaleup ecosystem
Peer-reviewed solutions
- to challenges in talent, capital, and policy
A practical toolkit
- of frameworks, real examples, and policy levers
High-value relationships
- with Europe's top ecosystem architects
Ecosystem Roundtables Topics
Deep Tech & Dual Impact
Infrastructure & Innovation Assets
Policy in Practice
Government, Policy & Market Conditions
Scale with Diversity
Diversity, Inclusion & Talent Pipelines
Capital Connections
Early-Stage & Growth Capital
Going Global
Market Expansion & International Readiness
The Brussels Boost
Public Funding & EU Strategic Leverage
Startup Finance Playbook
Financial Infrastructure & Funding Literacy
The Talent Equation
Entrepreneurial Talent & Hiring Systems
RevOps = Real Growth
Operational Scaling & Strategic Execution
Events as Ecosystem Engines
Connectivity, Visibility & Ecosystem Culture
Designed For
Government Innovation Leaders
building national or regional startup strategy
Accelerator Program Directors
supporting scale-oriented founders
Economic Development Agencies
balancing local relevance with global growth
Academic Innovation Offices
seeking startup-to-scaleup transition pathways
Public Investors & Stakeholders
funding innovation infrastructure
How it Works
This is not a panel-heavy conference. This is an ecosystem strategy sprint.
Startup Ecosystem Health Check
Understand where your support systems stand
Table Workshop I
Entrepreneurial leadership, stakeholder collaboration, inclusive founder engagement
Scaleup Ecosystem Assessment
Address real-world growth bottlenecks
Table Workshop II
Strategic initiatives in capital, talent, infrastructure, and market access
Ecosystem Networking Dinner
With 300+ startup players across Bavaria and Europe
Keynotes and Ecosystem Bingo
Build the future together during the gathering full of networking, ideas, and shared momentum
Empower your ecosystem with:
- A scorecard and report with real benchmarks and next-step recommendations for your region
- Case studies on:
- Capital access for scaleups
- Inclusive talent pipeline programs
- Government & university co-creation
- A printed Ecosystem Playbook to bring back to your ministry, hub, or team
Growth Guides
Each table is hosted by an experienced ecosystem operator, investor, or policy architect paired with a voice from a scaleup. Here are your Growth Guides and Scaleup Representatives.
Boosted digital innovation across Europe through cross-border startup support.
Driving circular battery recycling from lab to industry scale.
Connecting European founders to Brussels and beyond,
3D bioprinting visionary building organs of the future.
Advises global leaders on startup ecosystems and innovation strategy.
Powering the next energy revolution with fusion tech.
Enabling the clean energy transition with tech-driven power solutions.
Backing science-based climate tech with measurable impact.
Redesigning relationships with sustainability at the core.
Meet The Changemaker
Dr. Ernesto Sirolli
Founder & CEO, Sirolli Institute
Dr. Ernesto Sirolli is a globally renowned pioneer in community development and the creator of Enterprise Facilitation® – a people-centered model that has helped entrepreneurs in over 400 communities create more than 55,000 jobs.
Drawing from his early work in international aid across Africa, he developed powerful social technologies that empower civic leaders, NGOs, and businesses to unlock the passion and potential of their communities.
As founder of the Sirolli Institute, adjunct professor, trusted advisor, and celebrated TEDx speaker, Dr. Sirolli continues to inspire a sustainable legacy rooted in radical listening, local empowerment, and the belief that true innovation begins by responding to self-motivated individuals.
At RISE & SCALE, he will deliver not one, but two keynotes – each a masterclass in reshaping how we build ecosystems from the ground up.
🎤 From Outback to Impact: The Startup Spirit Hides Where You Least Expect It
🐾 After ‘Shut Up and Listen’: What Happened to the Hippos?
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More InformationGrowth Guides
Each table is hosted by an experienced ecosystem operator, investor, or policy architect paired with a voice from a scaleup.
Here are your Growth Guides, Scaleup Representatives, and Speakers.
Boosting digital innovation across Europe through cross-border startup support.
Advising global leaders on startup ecosystems and innovation strategy.
Bridging academia and industry to scale innovation with global relevance.
Backing science-based climate tech with measurable impact.
Connecting European founders to Brussels and beyond.
Advancing Europe’s innovation ecosystem through entrepreneurship, education, and sustainable impact at scale.
Driving circular battery recycling from lab to industry scale.
3D bioprinting visionary building organs of the future.
Powering the next energy revolution with fusion tech.
Enabling the clean energy transition with tech-driven power solutions.
Redesigning relationships with sustainability at the core.
Redefining how organizations work, learn, and collaborate - with equality at the core.
Revolutionizing sustainable food production through biotech innovation and clean tech solutions.
Reimagining marketing through autonomous AI teams that drive smarter, faster, and more impactful growth.
Powering cross-border innovation by connecting ecosystems and accelerating deep tech collaboration.
Speakers & Keynotes
Each speaker brings hands-on experience – from building breakout startups and shaping national policy to fueling global innovation ecosystems.
Get ready for bold perspectives, practical insights, and real stories from the front lines of growth and transformation.
Do not miss it.
Prof. Matthias Notz
CEO, Start2 Group
Scaling entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide by championing startup acceleration, global collaboration, and cross-continental impact.
🚧Scaling Happens When Ecosystems Get It Right
Kristin Eckert
Managing Director LatAm, Start2 Group
Driving innovation between Latin America & the World and leading startup ecosystem expansion.
🚧Scaling Happens When Ecosystems Get It Right
Gernot Schwendtner
Founder, Upvisor
Accelerating global impact for startups and scale-ups through strategic venture building, international expansion, and deep tech innovation.
🌍 Beyond Borders: Capital, Customers, and the Path to Scale
Paul Westphal
Head, Spinoff
Transforming scientific research into deep tech ventures and fostering cross-border innovation across Europe.
🏛 The Policy Lever: Creating Conditions for Ascent
Aliénor Bossé
Portfolio Success Lead, Speedinvest
Bridging technology and business with a unique blend of technical and commercial expertise, driving innovative solutions and sustainable growth.
💸 Capital to Climb: Financing the Infrastructure of Growth
Kajarin Yotdam
Program Manager, Start2 Group
Driving global startup growth by building inclusive ecosystems and fostering cross-border collaborations between Europe and emerging markets.
🧠 Talent That Lifts: Inclusion, Diversity & the Scaling Advantage
Testimonials
Let's Meet in Munich
Bavaria isn’t just beautiful. It’s one of Europe’s fastest-growing innovation regions.
-> Global OEMs meet world-class deeptech and healthtech startups
-> One of Europe’s most advanced startup support ecosystems
-> Strategic location to access German, DACH, and pan-European partners
Get Your Ticket
Your founders are counting on better support. Let’s build it.
Choose your experience at Rise & Scale and secure your tickets now!
Rise & Scale Conference Full Day Pass
Join for the full day of diagnosing and building ecosystem strategy as well as the Ecosystem Gathering.
Please note, the full day pass is invitation only!
If you would like to participate, see below how to apply to join!
Munich Ecosystem Gathering Pass
Join 300+ founders, investors, policy makers, and innovation leaders for an evening of bold ideas, curated connections, and real startup momentum. It’s not just a meetup – this is where conversations turn into opportunity.
The Ecosystem Gathering is open to everyone and you can purchase your tickets directly.
If you have not received an invitation, apply now to join the ecosystem strategy event of the year!
Click on the button below to send us a message. Please tell us your name, company, job title and why you would like to join the event.
Spaces are limited. We review applications weekly.
Testimonials
Why Us?
Start2 Group is the global force behind startup programs that span 18+ countries and have supported thousands of companies. We design ecosystems, mentor founders, and advise governments around the world.
In the Financial Times 2024 ranking of Europe’s Leading Startup Hubs Start2 Group has placed as:
Join the Ecosystem Gathering
No time to join the full day program? You don’t have to miss out!
Join us in the evening for the Ecosystem Gathering – expect ecosystem bingo, lightning keynotes, community dinner, drinks & networking!
Get in Touch
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