12.03.2026
South by Southwest - SXSW 2026
BERLIN HOUSE: Party, Pitches & Perspectives
BERLIN HOUSE brings the energy of Berlin to Austin for a full day of bold ideas, creative tech and global connections. Join inspiring conversations, discover standout startup pitches, and experience how Berlin’s innovators shape the future. Meet creators, founders and partners from across the world - then close out the night with an authentic Berlin rave featuring Anja Schneider, JOPLYN, Martin Eyerer and more.
Location
The BERLIN HOUSE is located in the heart of downtown Austin: German Haus @
SPEAKEASY, 412 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701
Program overview
March 14
Musik Lounge:
Detailed program
March 14
11:30 am:
BERLIN HOUSE doors open
12:00-12:45 pm:
Tacos & Talent: Berlin Calling - The Work Culture Behind the Creative Capital of Germany
Exclusive Workshop
Berlin is a creative city with real career pathways-across design, music, film, gaming, media, and creative tech. In 45 minutes, we’ll break down what the work culture looks like on the ground: international teams, community-driven networks, and fast, collaborative ways of building projects.
Walk away with concrete entry points, practical resources, and a clear sense of how to plug into Berlin’s ecosystem - served with tacos.
Speakers:
12:45-1:00 pm:
Opening Words by Stefan Franzke
1:00-2:30 pm:
The Business of the Night: Culture, Capital & Cities After Dark
Presentation & Discussion
Drawing on the NTER 2026 – Nighttime Economy Report, this panel explores how nightlife and the nighttime economy function as critical urban infrastructure - driving talent attraction, cultural innovation, investment, and economic resilience.
Using international case studies from Europe and North America, the discussion connects culture, technology, governance, and capital. We will dive into nighttime governance, global strategies, community-led nightlife, inclusion, cultural infrastructure, and data-driven measurement of the nighttime economy.
Speakers:
Moderator:
Lutz Leichsenring (Co-Founder, VibeLab │Berlin)
2:45-4:15 pm:
Unboxing The Future: From Purpose to Performance
Presentation & Discussion
What does it take to turn impactful ideas into businesses that last?
Berlin is known for bold culture, and it has become a home for teams turning impact into real, growing companies. Speakers from Berlin and the US: founders, investors, public leaders, corporates, and creatives, share the stage with practical lessons you can apply.
Unboxing The Future is a Berlin-based live talk show where entertainment turns complex topics into clear takeaways, including live electronic music jam sessions with guests and the audience. Join the conversation, and come jam with us!
Speakers:
- Christian Strowa (Director, DAAD North America/ Director, DWIH New York)
- Annie Hardy (Global AI Architect and Futurist, Cisco)
- Genny Wood (Music Fest Programmer, SXSW)
- Niko Woischnik (CEO, Tech Open Air (TOA)/ Angel Investor)
- Anja Schneider (DJ, producer, radio moderator, label boss, Sous Music)
Moderator:
Diego Ain (Founder/ Creative Director, Unboxing the future,)
4:30-5:30 pm:
Creative Tech in Berlin: Where Imagination Meets Innovation
Panel Discussion
The parallels between the creative and technology sectors are becoming ever clearer, as both areas are increasingly dependent on each other. Games, e-sports, immersive technologies, and creative technologies represent one of the largest economic drivers for Berlin.
We bring together film, games, and tech experts from Berlin with international guests - for honest exchange, new perspectives, and concrete connections at the intersection of creativity, technology, and business.
Speaker:
Moderator:
Karolin Hewelt (COO Dentsu Creative Germany & Co-Founder RCKT)
5:45-6:45 pm:
Berlin Innovation Pitch Session – With Jury Picks
Company Pitches
Don’t miss 15 outstanding and forward thinking Berlin companies as they take the stage for a fast paced showcase session.
Unlike a traditional startup pitch, this format gives our delegation the space to briefly present who they are, what they do, and what they are looking for in the U.S. market.
A curated jury will be onsite to highlight standout insights and select their Jury Picks, offering the audience additional perspectives on Berlin’s most promising innovations.
Are you interested in meaningful business connections, innovation partners, or the next breakthrough coming out of Berlin’s tech ecosystem?
If so, this is the perfect opportunity to get to know the Berlin delegation live on stage.
Jury:
Moderator:
Carl-Philipp Wackernagel (Head of Marketing, Berlin Partner) and Anna Wiese (Manager International, Berlin Partner)
6:45-8:00 pm
Break & Apéro
8:00 pm - 2:00 am:
Music Night Lineup
Official SXSW Music Showcase
Close out the night with an authentic Berlin rave featuring JOPLYN, Anja Schneider, suxx puxxy, and more.
Music Lineup:
Berlin Delegation
Are you an entrepreneur or executive in tech? Are you looking for meaningful business partnerships? Or are you looking for the next big thing in tech? If so, use this opportunity to get to know our delegation of startups and scaleups from Berlin:
Contact
All questions regarding:
------
Header Photo: MJ Tangonan on Unsplash
Google Maps
