The IBA conference, taking place May 18-22 in Düsseldorf, Germany, will showcase a Startup Area, where founders will showcase pioneering ideas for the baking industry. In Hall 13, visitors will find a forum with space for networking, where young companies will present innovative business models of tomorrow. There will also be a stage for pitches from participating companies and specialist presentations.  

"We are delighted to be able to implement this exciting area again after the successful premiere in 2023 and to present new ideas," emphasizes Susann Seidemann, head of IBA.

Area for pitches and networking

The IBA Startup Area is a complete area for start-ups including a stage and a modern, open community area. The founders present their new ideas here: the spectrum ranges from ordering apps and services to food utilization. The start-ups will also pitch their business ideas on a stage—every day of the trade fair from Sunday to Wednesday. Each start-up has two minutes for this. Before and after this, there will be the opportunity to network at the IBA Startup Area.

Founders' ideas and products for the baking industry

• Pre-order and pay – the tech start-up from Aachen presents how an app ensures a fast ordering process: The Snaggit app eliminates waiting times, optimizes processes, and thus increases efficiency.
• Finding qualified and motivated skilled workers and trainees from Southeast Asia – the German agency Go German helps with this. The service provider takes on the placement work, including applicant selection, arranges intensive courses, helps with visa applications and provides support in dealing with the authorities.
• The Swiss start-up ProSeed will be presenting how food waste can be turned into valuable products. Using a new stabilisation technique, barley flakes are produced from brewing by-products, which are then processed into flour or protein concentrate – from which a protein baguette, for example, is then baked.
• And the Brazilian-British start-up Fonte Ingredientes shows an innovative approach to reducing food waste – by keeping food fresh for longer.

Last call to register: Participation at IBA Startup Area still possible

Creative start-ups can present themselves to the public and register: registration is possible for national and international start-ups that have newly developed or significantly improved products, processes, or services. The following criteria have to apply: The exhibiting company must be less than 10 years old (founded in 2015 or later). The company employs a maximum of 50 employees and the annual balance sheet total or annual turnover is a maximum of 10 million euros. Applications can still be made at IBA Startup Area.

Support opportunities for start-ups

Apply for financial aid from the state: Participation by companies based and operating in Germany is subsidized by the state. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) supports young companies with the "Young Innovators" trade fair program. As the leading trade fair in Germany, IBA has been selected for the funding program. The funding application is available under the Young Innovators trade fair program. 

Voting wanted: IBA Startup Area

It's worth taking part: the exhibiting start-ups can win the IBA Startup Area. Visitors to the trade fair can select their favorites in advance: they can vote online on the IBA platform starting from Monday, May 5. Every registered visitor can cast up to ten votes per start-up pitch. These ten votes will be used to rank the start-ups individually. Three goodie bags, including tickets for IBA 2027, will be drawn from all visitors who take part in the voting. 

The presentation and celebration of the IBA Startup Award will take place on Wednesday, May 21 at 3:30 pm on the stage of the IBA Startup Area (Hall 13). 

Related: IBA 2025 to shine a spotlight on artisan bakery