Eight hands-on sessions. Real tools, real frameworks, real opportunities.
From humanoid robotics and space tech to defence startups, digital currencies, and networking mastery — Demo Studios are where Podim gets practical.
These are focused, 30-minute sessions built for interaction — practical insights, direct Q&A with experts, and tools you can apply the very next day. Whether you’re building in deep tech, navigating EU regulations, rethinking your cloud infrastructure, or simply want to make the most of your two days at Podim — there’s a session for you.
There’s no Deal Room on Monday, so you can fully focus on soaking up valuable knowledge, connecting with experts, and grabbing exclusive perks! These sessions are small, focused & exclusive — confirm your spot for each one you want to attend via the Podim app.
When & Where?
⏰ Monday, May 11 (Day 0) 14:00 – 18:00 | 8 powerful sessions | Limited seats
📍 Maribox 02
✅ Registration Required in Podim App
Build Your Network Like a Pro Over the Next Two Days
14:30 – 14:30
Powered by Bits & Pretzels
Podim brings together 1,000+ founders, investors, and ecosystem builders — but showing up is only half the game. This closing session gives you a practical, actionable playbook for making the most of the next two days: how to prepare, who to approach, how to follow up, and how to turn brief encounters into lasting professional relationships.
Max Muhle, Bits & Pretzels, Germany
Connecting Space Innovation with Market Opportunities
14:30 – 15:00
Powered by CASSINI Matchmaking (European Commission / EUSPA)
Discover how startups can tap into the European space ecosystem — using satellite data, Earth observation, and secure connectivity to build new services and find commercial applications. The session brings together an EU agency officer, a growth equity investor, and an ESA incubator director to show real pathways from space tech to market.
Stefan Schneider, EUSPA, Czech Republic
Yilmaz Karakas, CEECAT Capital, Turkey
Martin Mössler, Science Park Graz, Austria
Infineon Startup Challenge: Building the Future of Humanoid Robotics
15:00 – 15:30
Powered by Infineon Technologies Austria — IPCEI Microelectronics
Infineon presents its Startup Challenge 2026, inviting startups to develop solutions in humanoid robotics — from digital twins and artificial skin to environmental sensing and motor control. Selected teams get technical mentorship, prototyping resources, and the opportunity to pitch to industry leaders and join a one-year collaboration program.
Andreas Muehlberger, Infineon Technologies, Austria
Defence & Dual-Use Startups: Legal Readiness Before You Raise Capital
15:30 – 16:00
Powered by CMS
CMS experts address the real legal and deal challenges that early-stage defence and dual-use startups face when preparing for fundraising or engaging with ministries of defence. The session covers what investors expect founders to have in place, how export controls can become a value driver, and how to handle term sheets where national-security restrictions and IP sensitivities are in play.
Maria Orlyk, CMS Ukraine
Oleksandr Sytnyk, CMS Ukraine
Robert Kordić, CMS Slovenia
Stop Automating Chaos: Why Process Thinking Beats More Technology
16:00 – 16:30
Powered by Solve-X
Most companies try to scale by adding more technology while their processes remain unclear — and that approach fails. This session shows how process thinking helps you design predictable operations, improve customer experience, and unlock real competitive advantage, with practical examples from complex environments.
Leon Bošnjak, Solve-X, Slovenia
David Zupan Fenko, Solve-X, Slovenia
Beyond Cloud: Scaling European Startups with Dedicated AI Inference on Exoscale
16:30 – 17:00
Powered by Exoscale (A1 Digital International)
As AI inference becomes a core capability for startups, the choice of cloud infrastructure matters more than ever. This session shows how European startups can run dedicated AI workloads on sovereign infrastructure — with the performance, compliance, and cost advantages that come from choosing a European provider.
Iva Bosotina, Exoscale / A1 Digital, Austria
Gernot Horak, Exoscale / A1 Digital, Austria
Building Complex Digital Products That Actually Work
17:00 – 17:30
Powered by Equaleyes
In this 30-minute Demo Studio, Equaleyes will break down the real challenges of building complex digital products — and how to solve them. Through three concrete case studies, they will showcase what it takes to deliver user-first, high-impact solutions: from an award-winning mobile-first banking experience (OTP), to streamlining internal operations by merging 10 tools into one (Gorenjska Banka), to developing a blockchain-based digital identity solution. Expect practical insights, real lessons learned, and a live Q&A.
Urban Bratina, Equaleyes, Slovenia
Jang Man, CREA, Slovenia
Connecting Young Talent with the Startup Ecosystem
17:30 – 18:00
Powered by Ecosys4you Project
Learn how startups and ecosystem players can collaborate with emerging talent and become part of a growing European entrepreneurial community. The session explores practical models for connecting young people with real startup environments — and what both sides gain from it.
Anna Butzin, Institute for Work and Technology, Germany
Track moderator: Sasha Lipman, tech2impact, Austria
Why Demo Studios?
Demo Studios are Podim’s most hands-on stage. While the main conference delivers big-picture panels and fireside chats, Demo Studios go deeper — smaller groups, direct interaction with speakers, and content designed for immediate application. Whether you’re a founder looking for your next edge, an investor scouting the landscape, or an ecosystem builder connecting the dots — this is where the practical magic happens.
