THE GRID: WHERE ENERGY INNOVATION MEETS INVESTMENT
Every industry fair has its highlights. In the energy sector, events like E-world energy & water and Smarter E draw thousands of professionals eager to explore the latest trends. But for startups and VCs, these fairs often lack something crucial: a dedicated platform to connect.
THE STORY: PIZZA GATE AND SUNSET
The connection between BRYCK, Vireo Ventures, World Fund and HTGF is one, that developed in a way, that all good friendships start. Already working together for the same purpose in the energy innovation sector, Vireo and World Fund invited us to Munich in 2024 to Smarter E, one of the biggest energy fairs in Europe. Not only is it pulling leading industry players to the capital of Bavaria every year, but also numerous early-stage startups for their expo. And while the fair gives a lot of insights on the most current market trends, it lacks the option to find potential investors for rising entrepreneurs in the energy sector. Spontaneously, we joined forces to connect startups and VCs in the evening by pizza, sunset and wine in an intimate atmosphere, to fill this gap.
What happened next is now history: We combined our network power and invited startups and VCs to the World Fund roof top terrace, with World Fund themselves playing barkeepers, to a watch party for soccer, pizza that we quickly ran out of and drinks cooling in small pools, like we all remember in beautiful nostalgia from legendary student parties. Pizza gate was born (and sadly to repeat), but also the idea for a platform that brought together startups and VCs looking for each other in a crowded place, connecting in a relaxed atmosphere that makes their job feel like an evening off.
AN OVERBOOKED SUCCESS – WHY THE GRID WORKS
Our first official edition for the then created Startups x VC: THE GRID networking event was a buzz. The exclusive high-energy, invite-only gathering siding E-World energy & water 2025 brought together the most promising energy tech startups and top investors at the BRYCK Tower in Essen. With creating THE GRID, we evaluated a gap and the overwhelming interest in THE GRID proves that this needed to be bridged. Also the support for the launch, should not stay unmentioned, since we were able to get ENBW New Ventures, Verbund X and TÜV NORD GROUP on board as great sponsoring partners as well as Startup Energy Transition by DENA as our meetup partner for the Swedish Energy Agency.
When we first launched THE GRID, we expected a strong turnout—but we didn’t anticipate just how fast it would explode. Originally planned for 120 participants, the event quickly scaled to 200 attendees, even in the face of a public transport strike. And again – we ran out of pizza.
WHY THE HYPE? BECAUSE THE GRID IS DIFFERENT:
• Curated networking – No random encounters, but meaningful matchmaking between energy tech founders and investors.
• High-impact connections – More than just another meet-up, THE GRID fosters long-term relationships that drive real business.
• A relaxed atmosphere – Because the best deals don’t happen in stiff boardrooms but over food, drinks, and informal conversations.
BEHIND THE GRID – THE INITIATORS
THE GRID is the brainchild of energy industry insiders who know the startup-investor dynamic inside out. The initiating team includes Vireo Ventures, World Fund, BRYCK and High Tech Gründerfonds
Together, we built THE GRID as a recurring and exclusive side event series, designed to enhance deal flow, foster community, and position energy tech startups for success. The GRID is meant to stay.
Join THE GRID in Munich!
The date is already set: The next edition of THE GRID will take place on May 8th, 2025, in Munich during Intersolar/Smarter E and we are happy to welcome BayWaRe as a Co-Host, sponsoring a one of a kind venue over the rooftops of Munich! The invitation process is soon to start, so sign up as an early bird here, to be the first to be informed!
P.S. We sincerely apologize for pizza gate and promise to break the curse with the next GRID event – see you there!
