Munich Delegation Heads to SXSW 2026: Showcasing Innovation and Culture
Munich, Bavaria, Germany – February 27, 2026 – A significant delegation from Munich, led by Dr. Christian Scharpf, Head of the Department of Labor and Economic Affairs, is set to participate in the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, from March 12-18, 2026. SXSW, recognized as the world’s largest technology and creative festival, will host a diverse group from Munich, including startups, established companies, creatives, and representatives from the City of Munich, aiming to highlight the city’s dynamic innovation and cultural landscape.
SXSW is a multifaceted event encompassing a technology, innovation, and creative conference, a trade fair, and comedy, music, and film festivals. It serves as a global meeting point for tech pioneers, innovators, startups, established companies, creatives, and artists, with over 75,000 participants expected at the SXSW Conference alone. The conference program features more than 800 keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and meetups across ten thematic areas, including Tech & AI, Health, Design, Cities & Climate, and Sports & Gaming.
Munich’s Presence at SXSW: German Haus and the Inaugural Munich Haus
The City of Munich and Munich Startup are once again partnering with the German Haus @SXSW, which will run from March 12-16 at Speakeasy, located at 412 Congress Avenue. The German Haus will host a comprehensive program of panels, networking events, and music acts. The full schedule is available at www.german-haus.com.
In a new development for 2026, the first-ever Munich Haus will be established on March 14 at the German-Texan Heritage Society, 507 East 10th Street. This initiative by Munich Startup, in cooperation with munich business and various partners, will feature its own dedicated program. Details for the Munich Haus can be found at www.munich-haus.com.
Key Events Featuring the City of Munich
The City of Munich’s involvement includes several notable events:
- Saturday, March 14, 8:30 AM: Walk, Talk & Quiz – Munich in Austin
Arno Eggers will host an interactive walk and talk along the Colorado River for the Munich delegation. This event offers insights into Austin, small surprises, and an opportunity to meet fellow delegates and Dr. Christian Scharpf. The tour, lasting approximately 1.5 hours, concludes in Downtown Austin, providing an ideal start to the SXSW day. - Saturday, March 14, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Munich Haus @German-Texan Heritage Society
Munich Startup, alongside partners, will present the Munich Haus @SXSW. The day includes a “Weißwurst & Watch Party – Bavarian Breakfast” from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by “Munich meets ATX: Oktoberfest-style Networking & Conversations” from 11:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Startups are also invited to apply to present their biggest challenges at the Superconnectors Event @Munich Haus for access to a curated group of individuals. - Sunday, March 15, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Futuring Our World – An Imaginative Ideathon
The City of Munich will host a workshop at the German Haus, designed and led by scientists from the Technical University of Munich. This ideathon will explore how narratives of progress shape innovation across various life areas, including environment, health, work, technology, and art. Workshop leaders include Amy Clare and Marlise Schneider, with mentors such as Klaus Bengler, Evelyn Mitchell, Alena Mayer, and Arne Totz. Further information is available at https://schedule.sxsw.com/2026/events/OE46616. - Sunday, March 15, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Panel “One World? Rethinking Cosmopolitanism”
The City of Munich and Kreativ München will present a discussion at the German Haus on cosmopolitanism in an era of nationalism and polarization. The panel will feature Fonna Forman and Teddy Cruz, focusing on cross-border urban projects, and artist Thomas Mandl, who will discuss the topic through his One World Flag. Moderated by Kathrin DiPaola, the discussion will explore how architecture, initiatives, and symbols can foster solidarity and redefine global belonging. More details can be found at https://schedule.sxsw.com/2026/events/OE46617.
Munich Startups at SXSW 2026
Following a competitive application process in November, six Munich-based startups have been selected to join the delegation, showcasing their innovative solutions:
- Caldo Worldwide: A digital-nomadic art platform collaborating with contemporary artists at the intersection of art and technology to create and share innovative exhibitions, projects, and artworks globally.
- enna systems GmbH: A family platform providing easy and secure access to digital health and communication services for individuals with limited digital skills, particularly seniors. Their patented haptic control concept uses NFC cards to operate a tablet without a touchscreen or technical knowledge.
- Lynkt GmbH: Building the missing infrastructure layer for Enterprise AI: the Business Logic Layer. Lynkt aims to solve the problem of AI projects failing due to lack of access to business logic, enabling companies to deploy AI projects 10x faster and achieve higher accuracy.
- Nexus Politics: A Civic-/GovTech startup developing an operating system for digital democracy to address political dissatisfaction through integrated participation and governance tools.
- PULSETRAIN: Focused on extending battery life by up to 80% and improving sustainability. They combine semiconductor technology with AI-based software to extend the lifespan of electric vehicle batteries and make them reusable for new applications.
- Resonance Spaces: An AI-powered learning platform designed to help people discuss controversial topics fairly, empathetically, and constructively. Similar to Duolingo for dialogue competence, it trains users in active listening, perspective-taking, and argumentation.
For more information, follow the City of Munich and munich business on their social media channels: LinkedIn, Instagram (@stadtmuenchen), and X (Twitter) (@StadtMuenchen). The official SXSW website is www.sxsw.com.
Source: https://stadt.muenchen.de/news/muenchner-delegation-auf-der-sxsw-2026.html
