STARTUP AUTOBAHN Expo 2026: One Decade of Accelerating Mobility Innovation".

Founded in 2016, STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play has become Europe's go-to platform for turning bold startup ideas into real automotive impact — and Expo 2026 brings it all together.

Expo 2026 at the familiar venue Im Wizemann will be our most unique gathering yet.

We're bringing together over 1,800 guests — the people who have shaped STARTUP AUTOBAHN over the past decade: top voices in mobility innovation, long-term and new partners, Plug and Play–backed startups, alumni startups, cross-industry guests, inspiring speakers, and more.

Why attend Expo 2026?

C-level insights
from the most influential voices in mobility
Project Showcases
featuring 30+ startup–corporate collaborations
Three stages of content
keynotes, panels, startup pitches, and cross-industry talks
Side events
like Innovation Walks, workshops, and roundtables
High-impact networking & matchmaking
with industry leaders and innovators

The Story goes back to 2016…

on a sunny day in Sunnyvale, California, when Plug and Play hosted a Mercedes-Benz delegation. From that handshake, STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play was born in Stuttgart, founded by Mercedes-Benz, Plug and Play, ARENA2036, and the University of Stuttgart.

What started as an experiment quickly turned into a full ecosystem. Ten years later, it has become a global bridge between startups and corporates — and every year, the Expo brings its most exciting collaborations to the stage.

Today, Europe's automotive industry is at a turning point, with rising competition, changing customer needs, and tighter regulations. For a decade, STARTUP AUTOBAHN has connected startups and corporates to drive real innovation. Expo 2026 continues this mission, showcasing real-world use cases, impact, and cutting-edge solutions.

Join us to celebrate 10 years of STARTUP AUTOBAHN. This anniversary isn't just about looking back — it's about setting the course for the next decade of mobility innovation.

Expo Archive

Program Startups of Expo 2026

Ready to embark on a journey of discovery? Click on any of the startup logos below to learn more about their inspiring missions.

Co-Located Events & Special Tracks

Expanding our horizon. Discover the specialized ecosystems, deep-dive roundtables, and partner Expos happening right alongside this year’s main event.

Special Track

Plug and Play Insurtech Expo

In honor of the 10th anniversary of STARTUP AUTOBAHN in Stuttgart, we are proud to integrate a major milestone for our ecosystem: 10 Years of Plug and Play Insurtech. To celebrate, we invite you to join us for the Insurtech Batch #16 Expo, hosted by Plug and Play Munich.

Go to Agenda

Co-Located Event

PhotonDelta Roundtable

A structured, problem-first roundtable where automotive engineering leaders explore how photonics can address real challenges in sensing, connectivity, onboard intelligence, and thermal management.

Exclusive Session: This is an invite-only event. Please click 'Find out more' to access the application form and request your seat.

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Co-Located Event

From AI Pilots to Practice: Lessons from Insurance and Beyond

Explore how insurers (and beyond) can turn AI pilots into scalable applications through real-world use cases, AI personas, customer insights, governance, enablement, and lessons learned in regulated environments.

Exclusive Session: This is an invite-only event. Please click 'Find out more' to access the application form and request your seat.

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Co-Located Event

Venture Clienting Roundtable

Exclusive invite-only roundtable on Venture Clienting in the Age of AI. Connect with corporate innovators, explore real-world case studies, and gain practical insights.

Exclusive Session: This is an invite-only event. Please click 'Find out more' to access the application form and request your seat.

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