As Berlin celebrates Christopher Street Day (CSD) and the ongoing pursuit of equality, this Thursday Gathering explores the connection between diversity, creativity, and innovation. Inclusive communities have long been drivers of cultural change, entrepreneurial thinking, and new ideas—and the same principles that strengthen societies also strengthen startups, organizations, and innovation ecosystems.
Bringing together founders, creatives, community leaders, and allies, the evening creates space for conversations around representation, belonging, self-expression, and the value of diverse perspectives in shaping the future. Through discussions, networking, and shared experiences, we'll explore how inclusive environments foster creativity, unlock opportunity, and contribute to sustainable growth.
Join us for an evening that celebrates diversity not only as a social value, but as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and meaningful change.
In the Demo Table zone you will discover various products, technologies and projects being presented by the founders or startup-representatives.
In the Info Table zone you will find out about projects, organisations and ideas.
Want to present your organisation? Send us an application!
However remember, this is NO HARD SALES zone.
Unwind, connect, and vibe to the rhythm! This lively session blends casual networking with great music, offering the perfect atmosphere to meet fellow innovators, exchange ideas, and forge new collaborations. Enjoy the beats, and build meaningful connections in a relaxed, energetic setting.
Come and join us for our popular UX-Testing! You will learn what products are to be launched soon in the market and meet interesting people with innovative mindsets. Our startups will show you their prototypes, and you get the chance to give them valuable feedback from a user perspective. All along, you can network in an inspiring crowd of participating teams, startup experts and guests.
What would a queer city look like?
Who builds a truly inclusive internet?
And what would an economy designed by and for LGBTQIA+ people actually change?
This panel brings together voices from policy, technology, urban design, and culture for an open, unconventional conversation about the futures we want to build – and who gets to shape them.
Hosted and moderated by QueerNext, this is not a traditional panel. It's a utopian thought experiment, grounded in real expertise and honest conversation.
Panelists:
- Alfonso Pantisano (he/him): Queer Commissioner of the Berlin State Government – speaking on policy and the role of government in shaping queer futures
- Emiko Gejic (she/her): Managing Director of Urbane Praxis e.V. and Executive Board Member & Spokesperson of Clubcommission Berlin e.V. – speaking on inclusive city design and creative perspectives
- Liel Glaser (they/them): Data Scientist and AI Ethics Expert – speaking on queer AI and the future of the internet
- Rainer Seider (he/him): President Asia Berlin Forum & Volt Candidate – speaking on international affairs and innovation
- Alex Maxelon (he/him): Co-Founder of QueerNext & Startup Scout at identity.vc – moderator
About QueerNext: QueerNext is an LGBTQIA+ community in the tech and startup ecosystem, with over 300 members across Europe. We bring together queer founders, operators, and creatives through workshops, co-working days, and community experiences.
This is for you if: You’re tired of wasting time and energy dealing with your inner critic. You want to understand yourself at a deeper level. You’re interested in mental health and mental fitness. You want to be in a safe, grounded space, around like-minded people.
Hosted by Kevin Martinez — NLP Master Practitioner, Facilitator, and Coach helping people overcome challenges, navigate change, and become more resilient.
Many queer people become experts at navigating uncertainty.
Long before there is a roadmap, we learn to read people, environments and unspoken signals. We develop a sensitivity to what feels safe, what feels aligned, and what deserves our attention.
Founders face a similar challenge. Some of the most important decisions in business happen when there is no perfect data set, no obvious answer, and no clear path forward.
In this experiential workshop, leadership hiring consultant and Intuitive Psychology Coach Matthew Goddard explores what founders can learn from the queer community about intuition, self-trust and decision-making. Through discussion, reflection and a guided exercise, participants will learn how to distinguish intuition from bias, access deeper clarity around a current challenge, and explore a practical approach to making decisions in uncertain environments.
Come with a challenge you're currently facing. Leave with a fresh perspective.
As Berlin celebrates Christopher Street Day (CSD) and the ongoing pursuit of equality, this Thursday Gathering explores the connection between diversity, creativity, and innovation. Inclusive communities have long been drivers of cultural change, entrepreneurial thinking, and new ideas—and the same principles that strengthen societies also strengthen startups, organizations, and innovation ecosystems.
Bringing together founders, creatives, community leaders, and allies, the evening creates space for conversations around representation, belonging, self-expression, and the value of diverse perspectives in shaping the future. Through discussions, networking, and shared experiences, we'll explore how inclusive environments foster creativity, unlock opportunity, and contribute to sustainable growth.
Join us for an evening that celebrates diversity not only as a social value, but as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and meaningful change.
In the Demo Table zone you will discover various products, technologies and projects being presented by the founders or startup-representatives.
In the Info Table zone you will find out about projects, organisations and ideas.
Want to present your organisation? Send us an application!
However remember, this is NO HARD SALES zone.
Unwind, connect, and vibe to the rhythm! This lively session blends casual networking with great music, offering the perfect atmosphere to meet fellow innovators, exchange ideas, and forge new collaborations. Enjoy the beats, and build meaningful connections in a relaxed, energetic setting.
Come and join us for our popular UX-Testing! You will learn what products are to be launched soon in the market and meet interesting people with innovative mindsets. Our startups will show you their prototypes, and you get the chance to give them valuable feedback from a user perspective. All along, you can network in an inspiring crowd of participating teams, startup experts and guests.
What would a queer city look like?
Who builds a truly inclusive internet?
And what would an economy designed by and for LGBTQIA+ people actually change?
This panel brings together voices from policy, technology, urban design, and culture for an open, unconventional conversation about the futures we want to build – and who gets to shape them.
Hosted and moderated by QueerNext, this is not a traditional panel. It's a utopian thought experiment, grounded in real expertise and honest conversation.
Panelists:
- Alfonso Pantisano (he/him): Queer Commissioner of the Berlin State Government – speaking on policy and the role of government in shaping queer futures
- Emiko Gejic (she/her): Managing Director of Urbane Praxis e.V. and Executive Board Member & Spokesperson of Clubcommission Berlin e.V. – speaking on inclusive city design and creative perspectives
- Liel Glaser (they/them): Data Scientist and AI Ethics Expert – speaking on queer AI and the future of the internet
- Rainer Seider (he/him): President Asia Berlin Forum & Volt Candidate – speaking on international affairs and innovation
- Alex Maxelon (he/him): Co-Founder of QueerNext & Startup Scout at identity.vc – moderator
About QueerNext: QueerNext is an LGBTQIA+ community in the tech and startup ecosystem, with over 300 members across Europe. We bring together queer founders, operators, and creatives through workshops, co-working days, and community experiences.
This is for you if: You’re tired of wasting time and energy dealing with your inner critic. You want to understand yourself at a deeper level. You’re interested in mental health and mental fitness. You want to be in a safe, grounded space, around like-minded people.
Hosted by Kevin Martinez — NLP Master Practitioner, Facilitator, and Coach helping people overcome challenges, navigate change, and become more resilient.
Many queer people become experts at navigating uncertainty.
Long before there is a roadmap, we learn to read people, environments and unspoken signals. We develop a sensitivity to what feels safe, what feels aligned, and what deserves our attention.
Founders face a similar challenge. Some of the most important decisions in business happen when there is no perfect data set, no obvious answer, and no clear path forward.
In this experiential workshop, leadership hiring consultant and Intuitive Psychology Coach Matthew Goddard explores what founders can learn from the queer community about intuition, self-trust and decision-making. Through discussion, reflection and a guided exercise, participants will learn how to distinguish intuition from bias, access deeper clarity around a current challenge, and explore a practical approach to making decisions in uncertain environments.
Come with a challenge you're currently facing. Leave with a fresh perspective.