Bits & Pretzels 2018: Crypto, Blockchain, and Women In Tech

As an official media partner, CryptoTicker visited Bits & Pretzels 2018. The three-day festival in Munich ran from September 30 to October 2, and connected more than 5,000 founders, investors, and startup decision-makers. It also had a focus on crypto and blockchain. Bits & Pretzels meshed with Oktoberfest, so many attendees wore lederhosen and dirndl: traditional Austrian and Bavarian outfits.

Bits & Pretzels attendees play Hammerschlagen during a break

Successful global founders and aspiring entrepreneurs met at the event for learning and networking. On the final day, all attendees and speakers met with one goal: liquid networking.

Attendees walk the exhibition hall at Bits & Pretzels 2018

Global Blockchain Speakers

It was great to see a large number of innovative projects and topics focused on the blockchain. The festival attracted thought-leaders like Gil Penchina, a Silicon Valley investor. Penchina invested in Paypal, Ripple, Brave, Civic, EOS, Simple Token, Polymath and many other FinTech businesses. He was an early cryptocurrency adopter and investor, and also one of the most active angels on AngelList. Amanda Gutterman, the CMO of ConsenSys, also attended. ConsenSys is a foundry to develop decentralized services and applications operating on the Ethereum blockchain. She hosted a panel with Jim Jorgensen (Consumer Coin), Paul Claudius (BlockState) and Gil Pechina about emerging trends in crypto.

Amanda Gutterman hosts a panel with Jim Jorgensen (Consumer Coin), Paul Claudius (BlockState) and Gil Pechina about emerging trends in crypto.

Brigitte Luginbühl, CEO of Crypto Real Estate AG, spoke on the real estate industry’s interest in blockchain applications. Crypto Real Estate offers realty companies and owners a platform to create their own security tokens. The benefits of their platform are two-fold. Companies enjoy faster and more cost-effective financing to address new investor groups, and investors enjoy lower transaction costs, faster processing and high standards of transparency and security.

More Than Crypto and Blockchain at Bits & Pretzels

Beyond crypto, startup founders like Richard Branson and DAX board members spoke. As did the founders of Airbnb, Delivery Hero and Zendesk. Formats like the “Academy Stage” and “Table Captains” made it simple to learn and network at Oktoberfest.

To work on the most critical challenges and problems of our time, we must form global bonds. Bits & Pretzels also included speakers beyond the EU and North America. Speakers from India, South Africa, Argentina and Lebanon were also in attendance.

#MeToo & Women In Tech

Bits & Pretzels invited some of the most talented women in tech to speak at the event or host a table at Oktoberfest. Among these innovative women, CryptoTicker had the opportunity to meet Nina Keuschnigg. Nina is the co-founder of Binfluence, a platform connecting influencers with brands. Our exclusive interview will be live soon.

Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement also spoke. Her insightful speech focused on the stories of survivors. #MeToo has generated millions of Facebook posts and tweets. Bits & Pretzels gave Tarana the chance to spread her movement to a wider audience.

Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement, speaks at Bits & Pretzels

Accessible and Flexible in Munich

The festival offered a silent space for attendees to relax. They also provided expanded food offerings. Not only vegetarian or vegan food, but also Halal and Kosher meals.

B&P was accessible for everyone. All speeches and attractions were available to people of all ages and abilities. The hosts also offered childcare to make it easier for parents to attend.

We’re sure this event will grow and we look forward to next year. We can’t wait to see where crypto and blockchain goes next, and we’re thrilled with the active inclusion of women in the startup scene. Until next year, Bits & Pretzels!