M2M Alliance and StartupCon join forces

To exploit synergies with StartupCon, Europe's largest conference for start-ups, the M2M Summit 2017 is moving from Düsseldorf to Cologne. With an annual gro wth rate of almost 300%, the internationally renowned industry event is expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors. As a result, exhibitors as well as the speakers at the M2M Summit can present their latest solutions, ideas and findings to a large and innovative audience.

The M2M Alliance has joined forces with StartupCon, Europe's largest one-day conference for start-ups and innovation. The 11 th edition of the M2M Summit will now take place in the LANXESS Arena in Cologne on 11 th October 2017. On 80,000 square meters, visitors of the M2M Summit can get a unique overview of the latest M2M and IoT developments, while also having access to StartupCon, which is known for attracting investors and businesses from a wide range of industries.

"The partnership with StartupCon allows us to offer our exhibitors, partners, and speakers a unique opportunity to present themselves to a large and innovative audience," says Dr. Andreas Fink, chairman of the M2M Alliance who organizes the M2M Summit. "Our established conference and exhibition for M2M communication and the Internet of Things is now part of a top-class and unique program for entrepreneurs. Participants of both events will benefit from making new contacts and further lead generation." All holders of M2M Summit tickets will have access to the StartupCon activities such as the conference, exhibition, pitches, workshops, and VR cinemas.

"M2M technology and the Internet of Things are important topics for start-ups and traditional companies," says Ralf Brüstle, the organizer of StartupCon. "Thanks to our partnership with the M2M Alliance, participants as well as visitors of StartupCon can now see and experience the latest M2M and IoT developments first hand under the same roof. Hopefully, this will lead to even more innovations - and new business opportunities."

Within the LANXESS Arena, there will be an exclusive M2M Alliance exhibition area as well as a conference hall, covering the latest technology trends around M2M and IoT. Speakers from IBM, thyssenkrupp and SigFox will share their knowledge and latest developments on stage. The Academic Day, organized by Prof. Axel Sikora, will also be part of the M2M Summit. In addition, research projects on the latest M2M/IoT technologies and innovations will be presented and discussed.

Similar to the M2M Summit 2016, young companies will also be given the opportunity again to present their ideas and solutions for M2M/IoT technology in the form of a pitch. This start-up pitch will be organized by the M2M Alliance. The winner will get a wildcard to present their pitch again live on stage in the StartupCon arena - with a chance to pitch in San Francisco and win 1 million US Dollar.

StartupCity Cologne
As part of StartupCon, the StartupCity Cologne takes place in the interior of the arena. The approximately 500 national and international early stage start-ups that will attend the event are being presented here with diverse concepts from the areas of mobility, technology, finance, insurance, commerce, life science, lifestyle and services. At the same time, around 200 top speakers provide insights into their lives as entrepreneurs and report on the latest developments on five different stages.

Startup Expo
The Startup Expo takes place around the arena. This part of the event is all about leading companies and scale-ups. More than 100 exhibitors provide insights into new developments and are available to discuss promising strategies as well as partnerships around the advancing digital transformation.

One-On-One Pitches, Talks, Workshops and a Hackathon
The 50 boxes of the LANXESS Arena are available for pitching. Young entrepreneurs have the opportunity to present their ideas and business models to more than 300 investors. In addition, there will be 20 table talks, 30 workshops, 4 VR cinemas as well as a hackathon and a spectacular drone park tour as part of the program of Europe's largest one-day conference.

Tickets for the M2M Alliance conference and exhibition and the 4th StartupCon on 11 th October 2017 are available for interested founders - including all lectures and workshops - from 19 € (for students) to 69 €. Investors pay 199 € and entrepreneurs 249 € for access to all lectures as well as workshops and the StartupExpo. Tickets as well as more information are available on www.m2m-summit.com and www.startupcon.de .