Participating in leading international trade shows offers, in particular, the opportunity to:

• Showcase your expertise
• to establish contact with potential project partners
• to cultivate relationships with private companies and other universities.

Bavarian universities have been participating in this successful form of knowledge and technology transfer for over 20 years. Since January 1, 2019, Bayern Innovativ GmbH has been supporting them in this effort and collaborating with the technology transfer offices at Bavarian universities.

Bavarian universities benefit from the following services, among others:

• Comprehensive consulting and support for exhibitors before and after the trade show
• Organizational handling of your trade show participation
• A custom-equipped booth module, including a 55-inch monitor for digital presentation of your content
• Functional meeting areas and a bar area for client and partnership discussions
• Internet access at every workstation
• Hospitality and information services provided by hostesses
• Cleaning and booth security
• Group transport of exhibits to the event venue from Munich

Do you have any questions?

Please feel free to contact Matthias Szel, trade show representative for Bavarian universities, at any time.

Who is eligible to apply, and to whom should the application be addressed?

All Bavarian universities, their departments, chairs, project groups, and spin-offs—provided the spin-off was established no more than two years ago—are eligible to apply to participate in the selected international trade fairs. Applications should be sent directly to Matthias Szel, trade show coordinator at Bayern Innovativ GmbH. They may also be submitted to the respective university’s technology transfer office. The technology transfer offices will then forward the application to the trade show representative. In addition, they may submit proposals for exhibits to be displayed at the joint booth.

When is the application deadline?

For trade shows in the first half of the year (January–June), exhibitor selection takes place in the fall, typically during the first week of October of the previous year. For trade shows in the second half of the year (July–December), exhibitor selection takes place in the spring, usually in mid- to late April of the respective trade show year.

You can find the exact deadlines under the “2027 Trade Show Program” tab.

How are exhibits selected?

The final selection of exhibits from the universities is made by the trade show representative for Bavarian universities, taking into account a balanced mix of exhibits at the joint booth. Prior to the selection process, the technology transfer offices of the relevant universities are informed, and any questions that arise are clarified. For more information, please contact Matthias Szel.

Who funds participation in the fair?

Depending on the fair, financial support is provided either jointly by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy and the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, or exclusively by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts.

Which costs are reimbursed?

Important Note:

Effective July 1, 2026:
Costs directly related to universities’ participation in trade fairs are eligible for funding. These include, per trade show participation, up to €6,000.00 for travel and lodging expenses for 2 people per registered booth/booth module, costs for transporting exhibits, trade show infrastructure services for exhibits (e.g., compressed air, water, internet, booth cleaning, booth security), costs for booth furnishings (e.g., information counters, meeting tables, chairs, display cases/cabinets, brochure stands, printed materials), and mandatory marketing contributions/co-exhibitor fees.

The maximum amount of support for booth space is limited to the cost of a STARTER module for universities at the Bayern Innovativ joint booth, as applicable in the respective calendar year.

The funding amounts are lump sums that are determined individually for each trade show, depending on the trade show location and the associated varying costs (e.g., for travel and transportation). There is no entitlement to funding.

How are the trade shows selected?

The selection of trade shows to be included in the Bayern Innovativ trade show program is carried out by the Trade Show Committee. The Trade Show Committee is an expert panel composed of representatives from ministries, universities, business organizations, and Bayern Innovativ GmbH.

Is it possible to apply for earmarked special funds even for individual participations in trade shows?

In principle, it is also possible to apply for special funding for individual participation in domestic trade shows or for participation in partnering events that take place as part of trade shows. The application procedure applies here as well (see the “Application” menu item).

Special funding for individual trade show participations can only be applied for if no Bavarian joint booth is being organized at that trade show.
In consultation with the StMWK, special funding can only be granted if the annual funds available for trade show participation have not been exhausted.