Out of the bubble, into what’s next: Käpsele Innovation Festival 2025
The Käpsele Innovation Festival is back for round two! On June 26, 2025, Freiburg will once again become the hotspot for forward-thinkers, doers, and tech enthusiasts. As the largest innovation festival in southwestern Germany, the Käpsele Innovation Festival brings together participants from SMEs, startups, and innovation networks – and we at Pfizer are right in the middle of it!
Over 600 participants came together at the very first Käpsele Innovation Festival, held on the grounds of the Freiburg Tent Music Festival, to explore the future of AI, GreenTech, MedTech, robotics, and new work. A dynamic mix of startup stories, debates, and hands-on insights made one thing clear: this region is bursting with innovation – and the courage to show it.
This year, it's going to be bigger, bolder, and more exciting than ever.
- When: Thursday, June 26, 2025, 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Where: Sick-Arena, Messe Freiburg
Here’s what’s waiting for you:
- 4 stages packed with real-world business insights on AI, GreenTech, MedTech, robotics, quantum tech, new work, and more
- Open-air networking area inspired by the Black Forest
- Debates & deep-dive panels
- 21 interactive experience stations, 2 masterclass igloos, and a live podcast booth
Pfizer’s VR experience station
Step into the future of medical training: Our immersive VR simulation allows current and future healthcare professionals to experience realistic clinical scenarios in a safe, virtual environment. Participants can practice essential diagnostic and therapeutic skills – without any risk to real patients.
The focus of our simulation is on diagnosing and treating respiratory diseases, early detection and management of sepsis and proper use of antibiotics in line with the latest clinical guidelines.
Curious? Get a sneak peek: 3spin Learning
A quantum leap into the future
Dr. Falk Pharma Stage | 6:00 PM: Join us for a forward-looking panel discussion on the opportunities and potential of quantum technology. Experts from science and industry, including Peter Neske, Innovation Lead at the Pfizer Healthcare Hub, along with representatives from QuantumBW, QuantumBasel, and the chamber of commerce – will share insights into current developments and real-world applications. Pfizer’s contribution: Quantum Annealing in a Proof of Technology
Why you should be there
The Käpsele Innovation Festival is where ideas meet reality – and the future becomes tangible. We’re excited to connect, exchange ideas, and be inspired.
Come by and visit us at our booth!
Start-up BW Summit 2025 on June 2
On June 2, 2025, the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Baden-Württemberg invites the start-up community to a major networking event. The Start-up BW Summit 2025 is a trade fair, conference, and festival all in one – bringing together start-ups, investors, and companies from across the innovation ecosystem.
At the Start-up BW Summit, founders from across Europe come together to network, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. Inside the Haus der Wirtschaft, participants can expect pitches, keynotes, and a wide range of networking opportunities. Outside, the festival at Börsenplatz creates a relaxed atmosphere with live music and informal conversations. Participation is free of charge.
The Pfizer Healthcare Hub on stage
The Pfizer Healthcare Hub will be part of the action at the Start-up BW Summit 2025: On the GreenTech Stage, Jana Baumann and Minoo Izadgasht will present the Healthcare Hub "InnoSession" – a matchmaking format that gives start-ups the opportunity to pitch their solutions directly to selected Pfizer departments.
In addition, Peter Neske, Innovation Lead at the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg, will introduce LinkHealth@BW on stage. As a “network of networks,” LinkHealth@BW aims to foster innovation and the adoption of new technologies in the healthcare sector.
Get in touch with the Hub-Team
We’re actively seeking start-ups offering innovative solutions in the following areas:
- Sustainable production
- Exoskeletons for GMP environments
- Digital solutions for oncology patient care
If your start-up is working in one of these fields, let’s talk! We’re excited to connect, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations.
Register here
Kick-off of the new platform for health innovations
Launch of a new platform for health innovations: smartXhealth aims to bring together startups, companies, research institutions, and public organizations to shape the future of healthcare. The kick-off event will take place on June 4, 2025, featuring a keynote, panel discussions, and the presentation of the initiative.
smartXhealth: One Platform, many players
The collaborative platform smartXhealth aims to advance the digital health economy through events and programs, supporting the development of new technologies and business models. smartXhealth is backed by various partners, including the University Medical Center Freiburg, the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, Campus Technologies Freiburg, FWTM, and BadenCampus.
What to expect at the kick-off event
- Keynote on digital health economy: "Data, AI, Cloud - The future of digital health economy" by Prof. Frederik Wenz, Chief medical director of University Medical Center Freiburg
- Introduction to smartXhealth by Dr. Thomas Scheuerle, managing director of BadenCampus
- Two discussion formats on the opportunities, relevance, and perspectives of the smartXhealth initiative with Peter Neske, Innovation Lead at Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg, and voices from the clinic, academia, and industry
- Use cases from the regional innovation ecosystem
Why it's worth attending
In collaboration with various stakeholders, an initiative is emerging as a foundation to work together on solutions for better and more efficient healthcare. Innovation enthusiasts, decision-makers, and interested parties from the pharma, medtech, and biotech sectors should not miss the smartXhealth kick-off!
Meet the Hub-Team
Peter Neske, Innovation Lead at Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg, will discuss the perspective of the initiative with Tobias Adomeit from Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG, Özgül Boztepe from BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg and Dr. Bodo Brückner, Life Science Accelerator BW, highlighting the platform's perspectives:
5:50 PM – 6:10 PM: Perspectives on smartXhealth
From 6:40 PM, there will be a closing networking session. The team from Pfizer Healthcare Hub looks forward to making new connections and having inspiring conversations.
Preventive medicine: Boundlessly healthy?!
The TREFFpunkt Health Industry 2025 will take place on May 22, 2025, in Konstanz and will bring together experts from Baden-Württemberg and the Four-Country Region of Lake Constance to discuss what the healthcare system of the future could look like: a system that proactively prevents diseases and their consequences, rather than just treating them.
Rising costs, such as the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the associated health burdens, demand a rethinking in healthcare. Preventive medicine offers forward-looking approaches: maintaining health, early detection of diseases, and preventing the progression or complications of existing conditions. This year, the focus is on the question of how preventive medicine can ensure the quality of care and save costs in the long term.
The TREFFpunkt Health Industry is organized by the state agency BIOPRO Baden-Württemberg and takes place once a year in a different region central to the health industry in THE LÄND. This year, the TREFFpunkt Health Industry will be held in Konstanz with the regional partner BioLAGO e.V.
- When: May 22, 2025
- Where: Steigenberger Inselhotel Konstanz
The event provides a platform for networking, exchanging ideas, and meeting cooperation partners. Visitors will also gain concrete insights into innovative developments in preventive medicine and pioneering technologies.
Meet the Hub-Team
Peter Neske, Innovation Lead of the Freiburg Hub, will be in Konstanz on May 22 and looks forward to engaging discussions.
Register now for free