Moderating at FTF 2026

On September 10, 2026, I had the pleasure of moderating three Pitch Battle sessions in English at Future Tech Fest in Düsseldorf, and co-hosting the Grand Final on the Main Stage alongside German TV host and presenter Amiaz Habtu.

Future Tech Fest is Germany’s leading B2B startup expo and conference, bringing together around 5,000 people, including startups, investors, companies and international speakers. The event provides national and international tech startups with a platform to showcase their innovations. The programme includes panels, keynotes, workshops, networking opportunities and a range of industry-focused stages.

And then there are the Pitch Battles on the so-called Vertical Stages, where just a few minutes can make all the difference when it comes to presenting a business idea.

A pitch is a very particular form of communication. In just a few minutes, founders have to explain why their company has the potential to become a successful business. And they have to do it within four minutes, followed by a three-minute Q&A session with the jury.

For the startups, that means: getting to the point.

For me as a host, it means: creating the framework, providing structure, bringing energy to the audience, and keeping a very close eye on the timer to make sure everyone stays on schedule!

This moderating job was a great opportunity to experience two very different kinds of stages: the focused, fast-paced pitch sessions on the Vertical Stages, followed by the energy and atmosphere of the Main Stage during the Grand Final.

In the end, all those stages were about the same thing: making great ideas visible, connecting people and creating the right moment for a strong message.

Photo credits: paint the town studios