Event agenda
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
13:00 - 15:00
14:00 - 18:00
Tech4Tomorrow
- Leadership
- Brand Building
- Building a startup & creating growth
- Relationship building & partnerships
Tech4Tomorrow 2026 brings together Tyrolean corporates and European startups for a day of exchange, practical insights and matchmaking within the regional innovation ecosystem.
Hosted by
15:00 - 17:00
15:00 - 19:00
Checkin
16:00 - 23:00
Wall of Innovation
Discover the startups of SKInnovation at our Wall of Innovation – a curated showcase of startup profiles giving you a quick overview of who’s here, what they’re building, and what drives them.
16:30 - 18:00
#glaubandich Challenge 2026
Registration is necessary for this session.
Hosted by
17:30 - 18:30
Pre-Cocktail hosted by aws i2 Business Angels - Invitation only
An exclusive investor‑only warm‑up hosted by aws i2 Business Angels, offering key insights, networking, and a relaxed start into your Skinnovation experience.
Hosted by
19:00 - 20:00
Key-Note-Speech by Lara-Sophie Bothur
1 speaker
Hosted by
19:00 - 20:15
Official Opening
- Relationship building & partnerships
SKInnovation officially opens at Agnes-Heller-Haus, Innsbruck - where slopes meet startup culture. Keynote by Lara-Sophie Bothur. Let's go!
Hosted by
20:15 - 23:00
Apéro riche & Get-Together
Be our guest and enjoy some food while meeting your fellow Skinnovators.
Thursday, 26 March 2026
07:00 - 09:00
Impact Sunrise Snowshoe Hike
Registration is necessary for this session.
Hosted by
07:00 - 20:00
Checkin
Welcome to SKInnovation! Get your SKInnovation name badge including lift tickets which gives you access to the event. At the checkin you will also get our SKInnovation bandana and a sticker for your helmet to be easily recognized at the ski resort.
08:00 - 08:45
Skibus to Axamer Lizum
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
08:30 - 09:45
Networking Breakfast hosted by University Innsbruck
- Relationship building & partnerships
Join us for the Networking Breakfast, where university ecosystem leaders, TTOs, spin-offs, and innovators can connect, exchange ideas, and collaborate. Open for all ticket holders.
Hosted by
09:00 - 09:45
Sunrise Yoga
Start your day above the clouds with our Sunrise Yoga Session. No experience needed – just bring yourself and enjoy the moment. 🧘♀️✨ No sign-up required - simply join us. Limited spots available on a first come, first served basis.
09:00 - 15:00
09:00 - 16:00
Partner Booths
- Relationship building & partnerships
Meet the companies shaping the future of innovation. Explore our partner booths, connect with industry leaders, and discover what's next.
Hosted by
09:00 - 16:00
Startup Fair
Discover innovation at altitude! The Startup Fair is our unique expo area on the mountain, where startups showcase their products in an unforgettable alpine setting.
09:30 - 10:00
Get-Together Snow Captains
Exclusive Meet-up for Snow Captains.
09:30 - 11:30
1-on-1 Matchmaking
- 1-to-1 Tables (Networking Area) - T
- Free Meeting Point (AWS Booth)
Meeting duration:15 minute time slots
10:00 - 10:30
Fireside Chat - Next Level Sports Innovation: When AI Meets Outdoor Expertise
- Data & AI
- Sports Tech
AI is transforming sport, while outdoor brands are looking for new ways to become more sustainable and digital. Two industry professionals share how innovation really happens and what role startups play in this transformation.
3 speakers
Hosted by
10:00 - 10:30
Get-Together Community Leads/Partner
Exclusive Get-Together for Community Leads & Partner.
10:00 - 10:45
Turning great research into Startups – What does it take to succeed?
- Building a startup & creating growth
From lab to market: experts from academia, tech transfer & startup ecosystems discuss what it really takes to turn research into scalable ventures.
5 speakers
Hosted by
10:00 - 12:15
Snow Captain Sessions
Snow Captains are industry experts hosting small-group networking sessions on the mountain. They have a conversation topic to help spark discussions. Sign up necessary: https://snowcaptains.skinnovation.at
10:00 - 16:00
10:30 - 11:00
10:45 - 11:30
Female Founders ask, Female Investors answer
- Female Empowerment
- Building a startup & creating growth
- Relationship building & partnerships
A dialogue session in a protected space, moderated by Birgit Ströbel and Svenja Lassen, where female founders can discuss their challenges regarding funding, pitching and company building directly with experienced female investors.
2 speakers
10:45 - 11:45
Scientific Insights – How Our Beliefs Influence Brain Functions - Invitation only
- Health & Science
We'll dive into how beliefs influence brain function and how we can rewire our mindset for success and a joyful, successful life. Susanne will share insights inspired by Bruce Lipton and Tara Swart, based on neuroscience-focused mindset workshops.
1 speaker
Hosted by
11:00 - 11:45
Spinoff Coffee Club hosted by University Innsbruck
- Relationship building & partnerships
Join us at the Spin-off Coffee Club, hosted by University Innsbruck. Come and enjoy a coffee and chat with successful founders of academic spin-offs, among others, about innovation and entrepreneurship.
Hosted by
11:00 - 11:45
The AI Advantage Is Not What You Think
- Data & AI
- Building a startup & creating growth
5 speakers
Hosted by
12:00 - 13:00
Investor Lunch hosted by aws i2 Business Angels - Investors only
Exclusive Investor Lunch hosted by aws i2 Business Angels. Open to all SKInnovation 2026 investors - no registration needed.
1 speaker
Hosted by
13:30 - 14:00
D I WHY? A Survival Guide for the AI Apocalypse
- Leadership
- Building a startup & creating growth
Fynn Kliemann brings his DIY mentality to the stage, sharing how curiosity led him to success in his entrepreneurial ventures. Learn how asking questions and embracing experimentation can drive you toward your biggest achievements.
1 speaker
Hosted by
From 0 to 25,000+ Customers: Key Insights and Lessons from Scaling
- Building a startup & creating growth
Sander van de Rijd shares the growth journey of scaling a company to over 25,000 customers. In this session, he’ll provide actionable insights into how to scale your business, manage growth, and learn from the challenges along the way.
1 speaker
Hosted by
TikTok Creator Journey: Between Experiment and Impact
- Brand Building
Sophie Engelhart shares her insights into building scalable brand strategies on the platform. In her talk, she will explain how TikTok’s approach to storytelling and engagement can help businesses grow their reach and connect with global audiences.
1 speaker
13:30 - 16:00
(Funding) Ski Lift Pitch
This session is closed to the public and accessible by invitation only.
13:45 - 14:45
AI in E‑Commerce: The Rise of Agentic Commerce
- Data & AI
Join Ludek Slouka from Mastercard Europe as he explores how AI is transforming e-commerce, paving the way for 'Agentic Commerce.' Learn about the latest innovations in digital payments and the future of secure, seamless online shopping experiences.
1 speaker
Hosted by
14:00 - 17:00
Ski Mural Painting
Community co-creation of a ski mural art work. Join Katarina Lajcakova painting and leave your creative signature.
1 speaker
14:15 - 14:45
Beyond the Logo: Story-Driven Brand Activations
Beyond the Logo" explores how video storytelling brings brands to life and creates emotional connections. Visual storytelling builds lasting relationships with audiences far beyond the logo.
1 speaker
Hosted by
14:15 - 14:45
How to Raise Smart Money: How We Attracted Top Angels for a Taboo Product
- Building a startup & creating growth
- Investing & Funding
Dr. Vivien Karl, CEO of a leading health tech company, discusses how they raised funding for a taboo product by attracting top angel investors. Learn how to approach investors and navigate the challenges of getting funding for unconventional ideas.
Hosted by
14:15 - 15:00
From Green Hype to Real Impact: How sustainability survives scale and a declining economy
- Sustainability
- Leadership
When sustainability stops being a niche trend and meets rapid growth, global scale, and economic pressure, what changes? This panel looks at how founders balance impact, profitability, and responsibility without slipping into greenwashing.
4 speakers
Hosted by
15:00 - 15:30
Clarity Wins: How Simple Stories Build Strong Personal Brands
- Leadership
- Brand Building
Lara Sophie Bothur, an expert in brand strategy, will talk about how simplifying your story can be the key to building a strong, authentic personal brand. Learn actionable insights on how to make your brand resonate with your audience.
1 speaker
Fall. Reset. Rise. Reinventing performance, identity, and business beyond traditional paths.
- Leadership
- Building a startup & creating growth
Valeska Schneider explores the idea of reinventing yourself and your business. Learn how to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth and how to rise stronger after facing challenges, all while redefining success along the way.
1 speaker
Hosted by
15:15 - 16:00
Pitchlympics
Pitchlympics, hosted by Christoph Solich, is a fast-paced pitching showdown where founders compete in dynamic rounds, delivering sharp ideas and bold visions in front of the audience.
Hosted by
16:00 - 17:00
From Vision to Venture - Manufacturing Innovation Get-Together hosted by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology - Invitation only
- Data & AI
- Sustainability
- Leadership
- Brand Building
- Building a startup & creating growth
- Relationship building & partnerships
An exclusive Sundowner bringing together startups, corporates, investors and innovation leaders shaping the future of European manufacturing and everything related to it. Meet EIT Manufacturing and explore funding, collaboration and scale-up opportunities
2 speakers
Hosted by
Impact Investing Get-Together hosted by Impact Hub Tirol - Invitation only
- Relationship building & partnerships
- Investing & Funding
Organised by Impact Hub, this gathering connects the community to explore opportunities for collaboration and concrete investment opportunities- A space to coordinate, exchange ideas and shape the next steps for the impact investing ecosystem.
2 speakers
Hosted by
Liquid Language Models hosted by WKO - Invitation only
The get-together for AI movers. Network with experts, share experiences, and make new connections. Focus: The journey from first idea to application.
1 speaker
Hosted by
Sun Goes Down. Funds Go Up – SAP for Startups prep Series A Sundowner - Invitation only
- Relationship building & partnerships
Learn from 40+ unicorn engagements SAP accompanied closely with the SAP for Startups Team. Entering the Series A funding round and beyond means expanding the focus beyond a startup's product.
2 speakers
Hosted by
16:00 - 20:00
Official Sundowner Party hosted by Mastercard
The official Sundowner Party hosted by Mastercard - drinks, music and networking at 2,340m as the sun sets over the Alps.
1 speaker
Hosted by
18:00 - 18:45
Early Skibus back to Innsbruck
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
19:00 - 19:45
Early Skibus back to Innsbruck
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
20:00 - 20:45
Skibus back to Innsbruck
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
20:30 - 21:15
Late Skibus back to Innsbruck
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
21:00 - 21:45
Late Skibus back to Innsbruck
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
Friday, 27 March 2026
07:00 - 09:45
07:00 - 20:00
Checkin
Welcome to SKInnovation! Get your SKInnovation name badge including lift tickets which gives you access to the event. At the checkin you will also get our SKInnovation bandana and a sticker for your helmet to be easily recognized at the ski resort.
08:00 - 08:45
Skibus to Axamer Lizum
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
08:30 - 09:45
Networking Breakfast hosted by Startup Tirol
- Relationship building & partnerships
Enjoy some coffee, tea and snacks while exchanging with fellow Skinnovators. Open for all ticket holders.
Hosted by
09:00 - 10:00
Sunrise Yoga
Start your day above the clouds with our Sunrise Yoga Session. No experience needed – just bring yourself and enjoy the moment. 🧘♀️✨ No sign-up required - simply join us. Limited spots available on a first come, first served basis.
09:00 - 15:00
09:00 - 16:00
Partner Booths
Meet the companies shaping the future of innovation. Explore our partner booths, connect with industry leaders, and discover what's next.
Hosted by
09:00 - 16:00
Startup Fair
Discover innovation at altitude! The Startup Fair is our unique expo area on the mountain, where startups showcase their products in an unforgettable alpine setting.
Hosted by
09:30 - 11:30
1-on-1 Matchmaking
- Free Meeting Point (AWS Booth)
- 1-to-1 Tables (Networking Area) - F
Meeting duration:15 minute time slots
09:45 - 10:15
From (Female) Founder To CEO: The Leadership Shift that scales Companies
What does it take to transition from founder to CEO? Dorothea von Griessenbach shares insights on the leadership shift needed to scale startups, covering strategy, decision-making, and how founders evolve to build sustainable, growing companies.
1 speaker
Hosted by
09:45 - 10:15
Visibility Pitch Round 1: AI & Software Infrastructure
Attendance as part of the audience is open to all SKInnovation ticket holders.
10:00 - 10:30
10:00 - 11:30
Snow Captain Sessions
Snow Captains are industry experts hosting small-group networking sessions on the mountain. They have a conversation topic to help spark discussions. Sign up necessary: https://snowcaptains.skinnovation.at
10:00 - 13:45
Skirace
Ready for the ultimate team-building challenge? Join the SKInnovation Ski Race and hit slope 3 on Friday for one of the most fun and unique highlights of the event.
10:00 - 16:00
10:30 - 11:00
Visibility Pitch Round 2: Energy & Industrial Tech
Attendance as part of the audience is open to all SKInnovation ticket holders.
10:30 - 11:30
(C)VC in Reset Mode
- Investing & Funding
Corporate Venture Capital faces a hard reset. Capital alone no longer differentiates. CVCs must deliver above market returns, secure strategic deal flow and create real innovation leverage: competing with top VCs while turning investments into advantage.
6 speakers
Hosted by
Behind Success Stories
- Female Empowerment
- Building a startup & creating growth
Beyond the highlight reel: founders and leaders get real about growth, ambition, and the unseen realities of building companies that last.
3 speakers
Hosted by
10:30 - 11:30
Pitchlympics
Pitchlympics turns pitching into a sport! Compete in fun head-to-head battles for real medals. You won’t pitch your own startup, but tackle wild challenges instead. With just 1 minute to prepare, answer: “How the f* would you pitch that?” Audience decides
10:30 - 11:45
Visibility Pitch Olympiabahn Café
10 exciting Startup will present their innovative ideas. Attendance as part of the audience is open to all SKInnovation ticket holders.
Hosted by
12:00 - 13:00
Partner & Corporate Lunch - Coporates & Partners Only
- Relationship building & partnerships
Hosted by SKInnovation: A traditional Austrian lunch for our partners and corporate guests - great food, real conversations and alpine views at 2,340m.
2 speakers
Hosted by
12:00 - 13:30
FinTech Startup Lunch hosted by Mastercard - Invitation only
- Brand Building
- Building a startup & creating growth
- Relationship building & partnerships
Exclusive FinTech Startup Lunch hosted by Mastercard. Invitation-only - registration via separate form.
1 speaker
Hosted by
13:30 - 14:00
REAL TALK - Lessons Learned: Strategy, People & Cash
- Leadership
- Building a startup & creating growth
- Investing & Funding
Fabian Eckert, founder of RECUP, shares raw and honest lessons learned from scaling his business. In this talk, he’ll explore three key areas: strategy, people, and cash, that are essential for any startup to succeed.
1 speaker
Hosted by
Sustainability in Start-ups – A Reality Check
Sustainability is a buzzword in the startup world, but what does it actually mean in practice? Viola Weller shares a reality check on the opportunities and challenges of building sustainable startups.
1 speaker
Hosted by
13:30 - 14:15
Visibility Pitch Round 3: HealthTech Innovations
Attendance as part of the audience is open to all SKInnovation ticket holders.
13:30 - 15:30
Ski Technique Training
13:45 - 14:45
Masterclass in AI Agent & Workflow Automation with Make
- Data & AI
There is so much buzz and noise out there telling everyone that you have to use Agents. In this session you will learn how to do that practically, leveraging Make.com.
1 speaker
Hosted by
14:15 - 14:45
Let's Play
Why playfulness is a secret ingredient for success of businesses & a functioning society. A counter movement to Digitalization and AI, it is taking the world by storm. People are longing for human connection, third spaces & exciting activities.
1 speaker
Hosted by
14:15 - 15:00
Innovation Under Pressure – Speed, Responsibility and New Decision Logics hosted by aws i2 Business Angels
- Leadership
- Building a startup & creating growth
This panel explores how organizations can innovate faster in complex, regulated environments.Covering time loss in innovation, balancing speed with responsibility, the role of protected spaces, and how startups can accelerate innovation within corporates.
5 speakers
Hosted by
14:15 - 16:00
1-on-1 Matchmaking
- 1-to-1 Tables (Networking Area) - T
- Free Meeting Point (AWS Booth)
Meeting duration:15 minute time slots
14:30 - 15:15
Visibility Pitch Round 4: Lifestyle & Consumer Innovation
Attendance as part of the audience is open to all SKInnovation ticket holders.
15:00 - 15:30
The Hype recipe - more than Matcha and chocolate
- Leadership
- Building a startup & creating growth
hristian Fenner dives into the hype formula behind successful products and movements. He’ll break down how to create a viral buzz and sustain it, with a fun look at how companies like Nucao have created lasting cultural trends.
1 speaker
Hosted by
15:00 - 16:00
Gut Feeling Doesn't Scale! An Interactive Masterclass
- Data & AI
Use Spreadsheets until they break. AI & data analytics experts share what works, what doesn't, and how to use AI right in 2026. Bring your questions!
1 speaker
Hosted by
15:15 - 15:45
The Business Backbone: Operational Readiness for Series A and Beyond
At SKInnovation, everyone talks about the climb. We talk about the oxygen. The company behind the product is your life-support system — and most founders only notice it when it starts to fail.
1 speaker
Hosted by
15:45 - 16:15
How to Build a Tech Company for Dummies
- Leadership
- Building a startup & creating growth
Quinten Selhorst, co-founder of felyx, will break down the essentials of building a tech company from scratch. In this session, he’ll provide a step-by-step guide on turning an idea into a scalable, successful tech startup.
1 speaker
Hosted by
16:00 - 16:45
Pitchlympics
Pitchlympics turns pitching into a sport! Compete in fun head-to-head battles for real medals. You won’t pitch your own startup, but tackle wild challenges instead. With just 1 minute to prepare, answer: “How the f* would you pitch that?” Audience decides
16:15 - 16:30
Final Group Downhill powered by SAP
One Last Ride with Yeti: Join the Final SKInnovation 2026 Downhill! The gondola will run till 16:45 to get you back up to the Pitch Final!
1 speaker
Hosted by
17:00 - 18:00
Pitch Final
The top 5 startups pitch on the big stage for the prestigious SKInnovation Award, while the winners of the ski race are celebrated. Don't miss it!
Hosted by
18:00 - 21:00
18:45 - 19:30
Early Skibus back to Innsbruck
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
19:30 - 20:15
Skibus back to Innsbruck
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
20:30 - 21:15
Skibus back to Innsbruck
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
20:30 - 23:00
22:00 - 22:45
Late Skibus back to Innsbruck
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
23:00 - 23:45
Late Skibus back to Innsbruck
Ticket needed! Can be bought in our ticket shop.
Saturday, 28 March 2026
09:30 - 20:30
Podcast am Berg
Live Podcast Event with 9 different podcasts. Event will be held in German.