d:u26 SIDE EVENTS
Official & Community Side Events
These events are part of the official festival program.
Applications are handled exclusively via the d:u Festival App. With a registered and personalized ticket, you can apply right here for the data:unplugged Festival 2026.
In addition, many partners organize their own events throughout the city of Münster. Registration for these community side events is handled directly by the respective company or organizer.
Join EverWorker for an evening dedicated to the next evolution of business, the autonomous, "always-on" AI workforce. We are gathering in Münster for a night of value-led networking at an exclusive location to connect, share insights, and explore how Agentic AI is accelerating modern enterprise.
No long slide decks. No aggressive sales pitches. Just high-impact conversations about the real-world impact of AI Agents.
What to Expect
Introductions & Drinks: Start the evening with a glass in hand and a view of the beautiful water.
A Fine Dining Experience: A curated dinner with drinks.
World Class Networking: Connect with like-minded leaders who are looking to transform their business with AI.
If you are a business leader looking to accelerate your business with an always-on Agentic AI workforce, apply to join EverWorker for this exclusive event.
The rules of motorsport are being rewritten. FG Series — the world's first dual-power green-tech global racing series — is filling the gap, with 74+ teams interested in just 40 franchise slots. Built with data at its core from day one, FG Series owns and controls every layer of its data ecosystem — from live on-car screens and real-time race feeds to gaming, fan interaction and infotainment platforms. Nick Heidfeld, former F1 and Formula E driver, and Dilbagh Gill, former Formula E team principal, invite select guests for breakfast. This breakfast is for people who want to understand what's being built and who might want to be part of it as investors, partners, or anyone who opens the right doors. Limited seats. Real conversations. Powered by Krimphove Bakery.
Where? South Lobby, 1st Floor | Stage One Concert Event Lounge East
For decades, organisations have relied on dashboards and static reports to inform business decisions. But the paradigm is shifting — rapidly. AI copilots, conversational analytics, self-correcting agents, and autonomous data science are no longer on the horizon; they are entering the enterprise now.
The question is no longer whether AI will reshape how leaders interact with data — it's how fast, and how well, organisations can make that transition.
This executive roundtable brings together data and technology leaders to explore the journey from reporting-driven cultures to AI-assisted, insight-led organisations — what some are calling the era of the Boundaryless Enterprise: where the walls between internal data, world knowledge, and autonomous analysis dissolve.
Participants will exchange real-world experiences navigating this shift, discuss where AI is delivering measurable business impact today, and stress-test the assumptions behind the hype.
Participants Will Leave With:
- Practical frameworks for moving beyond dashboard culture — grounded in what peers are actually doing today
- New perspective on the "Boundaryless Enterprise" — what it means to connect internal data with world knowledge and autonomous reasoning
- Honest calibration on where AI in analytics is genuinely mature vs. where the hype outpaces reality
- A peer network of data and technology leaders navigating the same transformation
The VIP Roundtable will take place in the Volksbank Finance Area (Black Hall) within the VIP section.
The first AI Community Shake-Out Ride, held in conjunction with data:unplugged 2026 in Münster—the cycling capital—invites d:u-exclusive road cyclists to join a group ride through the Münsterland region.
After registration starting at 2:30 p.m. at the Messe und Congress Centrum Halle Münsterland, a relaxed community ride (approx. 50 km) in the peloton will begin at 3:00 p.m. The ride will be accompanied by former professional cyclist Fabian Wegmann, as well as speakers, special guests, and the d:u organizing team.
The ride is intended as a relaxed kick-off to data:unplugged—everyone is welcome, so please bring your own road bike.
The side event is powered by Deloitte.
More information on the Sparkassen Münsterland Giro 2026:
https://muensterland-giro.de/
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Forget buzzword bingo and endless slide shows. At the Data Slam “Fishing in the Data Lake”, experts from Data & AI bring their most important insights to the stage: real learnings, clear messages, bold perspectives, all in a crisp 10 minutes.
The format: Like a poetry slam, but with data. No sales presentations, no endless decks. Instead, people who show how data & AI work in reality – or fail, and what we can learn from it.
The hosts: Felix Fiege (Co-CEO, FIEGE) and Claudia Pohlink
(Director Data & AI, FIEGE) invite you to X-Dock, the FIEGE location at the port of Münster, and will welcome you there in person. For 150 years, FIEGE has been shaping the future of logistics as an innovation leader – now in its fifth generation.
The audience: Decision-makers, data leads, AI managers, IT managers, and anyone who wants to not only collect data but also make an impact.
The moderator: Dr. Christian Krug, host of the podcast “Unf#ck Your Data” and known for asking the right questions.
This exclusive onsite event is aimed at executives, board members, and C-level decision-makers who want to strategically develop their organization toward an AI-driven future.
Registration is only possible via the following Eventbrite
The exclusive data:unplugged side event for startups and VCs at the Digital Hub, together with eCAPITAL.
Registrations via the following Eventbrite
Agenda
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Admission & Registration
Doors open. Check-in, initial discussions, and getting to know each other at Digital Hub münsterLAND.
6:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Welcome
Opening by Digital Hub, eCAPITAL, and NRW Bank.
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Founder Deep Dive: Real AI Edge & Lessons Learned
Tim, founder of VisioLab, talks about the development of VisioLab: how AI became a robust product, where the real technological core lies, and which decisions made the difference on the way to product-market fit.
7:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Investor Deep Dive – State of the Ecosystem
eCAPITAL, High-Tech Gründerfonds, and NRW Bank provide insight into their current AI theses: which trends are shaping the AI ecosystem, which topics are most promising, and how the funding environment is developing.
07:30 PM - 08:00 PM
AI Lightning Pitches
Now it's time to get fast and focused: the most exciting AI startups in the ecosystem take the stage. Each team has only a few minutes to convince the audience with their innovation. Maximum energy, no detours.
08:00 PM
Drinks, Food & Networking: Get Connected
The relaxed part of the evening. Take the opportunity to exchange ideas with startups and investors before the hustle and bustle of the trade fair begins. Make valuable contacts over good drinks and food right in the harbor.
Unfortunately, we're fully booked - All confirmed registrations are, of course, valid, and you are cordially invited.
To access the Westfalen AG forum, all you need is your registration confirmation.
AI is a reality in everyday business life.
It creates value. It costs money. It fails. And it continues to evolve.
To kick off data:unplugged, we and our partners (Zweitag, LoyJoy, AskLio, SAP, Salesforce, Telekom, Atlantic Ventures) invite you to the pre-opening event.
What you can expect:
• Real AI use cases from medium-sized businesses
• Insights into project decisions
• Failed approaches and clear lessons learned
• Exchange on equal terms instead of glossy slides
• Experience instead of buzzword bingo
• AI marketplace with our partners
• Free food and drinks
On the “Fuck Up Stage,” companies deliberately talk about what didn't work. Because that's exactly where progress happens.
What begins on stage, we continue over drinks, with a DJ, and at the networking party afterwards.
For your information: please keep your application short and concise—there are enough places available.
To ensure a smooth check-in process and to receive last-minute updates (e.g., safety instructions, the schedule, and parking options), you must complete your registration via the link below.
Venue: Forum der Westfalen AG – Industrieweg 43, 48155 Münster – approx. 5 minutes from the Münsterland Exhibition Center
Agenda
17:30
Welcome & First Drink
18:00
Opening & Begrüßung
18:15
Fuck Up Session 1
19:20
Fuck Up Session 2
20:00
Get-Together | Fuck Up-Night
This year, Münster will once again host a curated Data Meetup – this time as an official pre-event for Data:Unplugged. The evening is aimed at data enthusiasts, C-level representatives, and decision-makers who want to exchange ideas about current developments, challenges, and experiences in the data environment in a personal atmosphere.
The format combines short keynote speeches with open discussions, networking, and culinary accompaniment. The aim is to create a space for honest and practical exchange – beyond buzzwords and pure success stories. The focus is on real challenges, concrete learnings, and exchange on an equal footing.
The curated meetup format has already established itself in cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf, Munich, and Hanover, where it has received very positive feedback.
When & where
📅 Thursday, March 25, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
📍 Münster – exact location to follow with personal invitation
Registration
Registration is free of charge via Eventbrite
Please note: Due to limited space, registration is initially an expression of interest. To ensure personal interaction and high-quality discussions, the number of participants is deliberately limited. Participation will be confirmed after registration has been reviewed. Participants will then receive a personal invitation with the event location and further details by email.
Start your festival day in motion.
The d:u Run powered by Brooks is an official side event of data:unplugged, bringing together community, movement, and festival spirit to kick off Day 2 with energy. A total of 300 runners can take part — including festival attendees, invited Brooks Friends, and special guests.
Meeting point: March 27, 07:00 AM at the Brooks Truck in front of Halle Münsterland
- Free test shoes featuring the latest Brooks models
- Pick-up of the exclusive participant shirt
- Pace group allocation
- Valuables storage
- Warm-up
Runners will head out in three groups so everyone can find a comfortable pace:
- 5:00 min/km → 7 km
- 6:00 min/km → 6 km
- 7:00 min/km → 5 km
An early-bird crew bringing happy vibes, music, and great energy will keep motivation high along the entire route. This run is more than just a workout — it’s a community moment, an energy boost, and the perfect kickoff to an intense festival day at data:unplugged.
After the run, join us for drinks & snacks at the Brooks Truck to refuel and connect.
Participation is via application.
Let’s run there!
Many companies never get beyond pilot projects when it comes to AI. But how can individual use cases be turned into measurable business impact? In this exclusive VIP roundtable, C-level decision-makers and department heads will discuss in a small group how AI can be scaled sustainably. Experienced data and AI experts will demonstrate live and in a practical manner how companies can anchor AI beyond the hype—organizational, technological, and with governance that enables impact.
Your added value at a glance:
Clarity on where your company really stands in the AI scaling process.
Concrete measures to transition AI from POC to productive value creation.
Exchange ideas on an equal footing with decision-makers who face the same challenges.
The VIP Roundtable will take place in the Volksbank Finance Area (Black Hall) within the VIP section.
In this interactive roundtable, CFOs and controllers discuss typical challenges encountered in day-to-day planning (e.g., data silos, lack of transparency, high uncertainty in forecasts).
Building on this, Markus Ratz and Hans Krefeld demonstrate how these issues can be systematically identified, prioritized, and translated into a target vision—including a roadmap—as part of a data strategy assessment. We will then outline a solution for AI-powered planning based on Microsoft Fabric (including a centralized data foundation with OneLake and end-to-end analytics) and a planning solution such as “pl.AI.nning” to make payments, outstanding receivables, and expected liquidity trends more transparent.
Participants will take away concrete ideas on how to move from a “problem description” to an actionable proof-of-value/MVP—including clear priorities and next steps.
The VIP Roundtable will take place in the Volksbank Finance Area (Black Hall) within the VIP section.
All key information at a glance
How can you take part in the official d:u side events?
It’s easy: download the app, select your d:u side events, apply, get confirmed, and join in.
Participation in masterclasses is only possible with a d:u festival ticket. Access is limited, which is why an application is required.
Don't have a ticket yet?
Then secure your d:u26 festival pass now!
Beyond our five stages, it’s the masterclasses, guided tours, round tables, and side events that make your festival experience truly special. There is something for every skill level and area of interest.
It’s best to start planning right away.
You can find the current timetable for all stages here:
How to apply
The application process is simple:
1. Secure your d:u festival ticket. Personalize your ticket after purchase.
2. Download the d:u festival app.
3. Select your preferred formats: Browse the overview to choose your favorite masterclasses, side events, round tables, and guided tours. Be sure to check for any scheduling conflicts.
You can apply for as many side events, masterclasses, and guided tours as you like, provided they do not overlap. Applications can only be submitted via the d:u festival app.
The application phase runs until March 15, 2026. You will receive your final confirmation in the festival app by March 20 at the latest. During the festival, simply head to the corresponding masterclass stage, the meeting point for guided tours and round tables, or directly to the side event location. The time and further information can also be found in your confirmation email.
for the d:u27!