Applications open for electronica Fast Forward 2026 startup platform
Applications are now open for electronica Fast Forward 2026, the official startup platform of the electronica trade fair in Munich. The upcoming edition marks the program’s tenth anniversary, highlighting a decade of connecting deep-tech and hardware startups with investors, industry partners, and the global electronics community.
The anniversary edition will take place November 10-13, 2026 at Messe München as part of electronica, the world’s leading trade fair for electronics, which typically attracts around 80,000 international visitors. The launch of the 2026 program was recently confirmed during a signing ceremony in Nürnberg.
Learn more and apply!
For each edition, electronica Fast Forward selects up to 15 startups developing technologies in fields such as embedded systems, semiconductors, AI hardware, robotics, power electronics, photonics, and industrial electronics. Selected companies receive exhibition space in the Fast Forward area, guided access to investor and industry delegations, and the opportunity to present their technology on the Fast Forward stage and during the official startup pitch competition.
“electronica Fast Forward has become an important platform for startups bringing new technologies into the electronics industry,” said Caroline Pannier, Director of electronica. “The 10th anniversary edition will once again create opportunities for founders to connect with decision-makers, investors, and the global electronics community during electronica.”
The program will culminate in an award ceremony on the Big Forum Stage (Hall B4). To mark the milestone year, the 2026 edition introduces four anniversary award categories, each accompanied by a €25,000 international media budget from Elektor aimed at boosting the global visibility of the winning startups.
Beyond exhibition space, the platform focuses on facilitating industry connections. Structured guided tours will bring investors, corporate innovation teams, and other targeted delegations directly to participating startups. A dedicated Meet & Greet area will support scheduled meetings, media interviews, and follow-up discussions.
“Startups working on hardware and deep-tech innovations often need more than visibility—they need access to the right audience,” said Udo Bormann, Senior Conversion Marketing Manager at Elektor. “electronica Fast Forward connects founders with engineers, industry leaders, and investors while amplifying their technologies through international media coverage.”
The 2026 program will also feature three electronics creators working live on site, conducting interviews, filming demonstrations, and interacting with startups and visitors across the Fast Forward stage and exhibition area.
Participation in electronica Fast Forward 2026 requires a €2,500 fee, covering booth space, branding, stage participation, guided tour access, eligibility for the anniversary awards, and international media coverage through Elektor and partner channels.
Over the past decade, the platform has showcased emerging technologies from startups that have since expanded internationally, secured funding, and formed partnerships across the electronics ecosystem.
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