Investors
Why investors choose IFA Next
Nowhere else will you meet this many startups and scaleups in five days - on the verge of their breakthrough, open for conversation, ready for the next step. You can find the next big thing before the rest of the market does. And your investor pass opens the entire IFA Berlin - 220,000 visitors, 1,900+ exhibitors and 1,100 investors, all in Berlin this September.
Find the next big thing first
Hundreds of startups across the IFA Next floor - from hardware and deep tech to AI, climate and consumer. You get a look before the rest of the market does
Connect with your peers
Each pitch battle session is followed by an invite-only networking session with fellow investors and the finalists. The conversations that start here have a habit of going somewhere.
Scout on your own terms
Flexible access across all five IFA days. Drop into the startup floor whenever it suits you and build your schedule around the pitch battles.
Beyond the startup floor
Your pass opens the entire IFA Berlin - keynotes, industry leaders and 1,900+ exhibitors. The biggest names in global consumer tech, all in one place.
+0k
attendees from
140 countries
140 countries
+0
exhibitors from
49 countries
49 countries
0
speakers across
125 sessions
125 sessions
+0k
meetings
via IFA App
via IFA App
The ultimate investor experience
IFA Next is where the deals of tomorrow are made today. As Europe's most concentrated startup ecosystem for home and consumer tech, IFA Next is the destination for investors who want to get there first.
Everything your investor pass includes at a glance.
From priority access at the Pitch Battles to investor matchmaking, the startup floor and the full IFA Berlin programme - here's everything that comes with your pass.
What your investor pass includes
Whether you're a venture capitalist, angel investor, corporate innovation lead, or fund manager - your investor pass is your gateway to the most concentrated startup ecosystem in European consumer tech.
Investor & startup matchmaking
Curated sessions that put you in front of the founders who fit what you invest in.
Priority access
Reserved seating at the pitch battles and finale, plus access to the investor lounge and dedicated areas throughout IFA Next.
270+ industry voices. All in one place.
From C-level keynotes to expert panels - over 100 hours of content across three stages, all included with your investor pass.
Build your own schedule
Your pass works across all five days of IFA - build your own schedule around the battles and the startup floor.
The wider IFA floor
Your investor pass opens the rest of IFA Berlin - one of the biggest meeting points in global consumer tech.
Media & visibility
IFA reaches 288 billion total media impressions. Being in the room puts you where the industry conversation is happening.
The Dream Stage - where it all happens
The IFA Next Pitch Battle takes place live on the Dream Stage - IFA's dedicated innovation stage inside Hall 25. This is where startups pitch to a live audience of investors, buyers and industry leaders. Expect the energy of a real competition, not a conference panel. The Dream Stage also hosts visionary keynotes, expert panels and masterclasses throughout the week - making it the most concentrated space for innovation at IFA 2026.
Get to know the IFA show areas
The future starts here. In the IFA show areas, leading brands, visionary start-ups and tech pioneers reveal the latest trends and innovations – from Smart Home and AI to sustainable technology. Experience hands-on innovations that are reshaping the way we live, work and connect.
Discover IFA’s experience zones
Three spaces built to go beyond the show floor – where you can test, try, and experience products first-hand. All returning in 2026, all bigger than before.
Beauty Hub
Where beauty meets technology. Live demos and hands-on experiences in skincare, haircare, bodycare, and wellness tech – with brands like Womanizer and STYLEPRO by STYLIDEAS. More to be announced.
Mobility Track
Back and bigger for 2026. An expanded circuit with even more brands to test-ride – e-scooters, e-bikes, and micro EVs in real-world conditions. NAVEE already confirmed, more brands joining soon.
Outdoor Cooking & Gardening
Smart outdoor living, live and in action. From robotic mowers to next-generation garden tech, with hands-on demos from Segway Navimow, Dreame, Mammotion, and Yarbo. More exhibitors to follow.
Plan smart. Travel easy.
From flights and trains to hotels and local transport – find everything you need to plan your trip to IFA Berlin with ease. Take advantage of exclusive travel discounts and get insider tips to make your visit smooth, efficient and unforgettable.
The people you'll meet
IFA doesn't just attract visitors – it brings the people who make buying decisions. From senior retail executives to sourcing managers, from investors to category leads – the professionals at IFA are the ones who shape what ends up on shelves and in stores.
0%
of trade visitors influence
purchasing decisions
purchasing decisions
0%
of buying group attendees
are senior decision-makers
are senior decision-makers
0%
of trade visitors are
international retailers
international retailers
0%
of attendees
are under age 40
are under age 40
Navigate IFA
Find your way around IFA 2026 and the entire Messe Berlin grounds with our detailed venue map of all show areas.
Investors – Frequently asked questions
- What is the IFA Next investor programme? The IFA Next investor programme gives qualified investors curated access to IFA Berlin's startup ecosystem - including the Pitch Battle, the IFA Next startup floor, investor matchmaking sessions and exclusive networking with fellow investors and founders. Access is by invitation and reviewed on a rolling basis.
- How do I apply for an investor pass?
You can apply directly via the registration form. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and places are limited. Apply early to secure your spot. - Is the investor pass the same as a trade visitor ticket? No - the investor pass is a separate, curated access programme specifically for qualified investors. It includes all IFA trade visitor benefits plus priority access to pitch sessions, the investor lounge and matchmaking with IFA Next startups.
- When do the Pitch Battles take place? The Pitch Battles run across three days - Day 1 on Friday 4 September, Day 2 on Saturday 5 September, and the Finale on Sunday 6 September. All sessions take place on the Dream Stage in Hall 25 at Messe Berlin.
- Can I visit the IFA Next startup floor outside of pitch sessions? Yes - your investor pass gives you flexible access to the IFA Next startup floor across all five days of IFA (4-8 September). You can drop in whenever suits you and spend time meeting founders at their stands.
- Where does IFA 2026 take place and how do I get there?IFA Berlin 2026 takes place at Messe Berlin, Messedamm 22, 14055 Berlin, Germany. The venue is well connected by public transport, with direct S-Bahn access at Messe Süd station. IFA offers special hotel and travel deals for trade visitors, and a free shuttle service operates across the venue grounds during the event.
- How many exhibitors and visitors attend IFA Berlin?IFA Berlin is the world's most important event for consumer electronics and home appliances. In 2025, IFA welcomed over 220,000 attendees from 140 countries, with 1,900+ exhibitors from 49 countries, 270+ speakers, and over 14,500 business meetings scheduled through the IFA App.