Boosters for start-ups: Exclusive trade fair offers and support for young companies at Interzoo 2026

As the world's most important marketplace for the international pet industry for the exchange of creative ideas and the distribution of products and services, Interzoo focuses not only on outstanding brands but also on young market participants as innovative drivers of change. "At the last Interzoo, 77 start-up companies benefited from our special support programmes. At Interzoo 2026, we look forward to once again supporting the participation of start-ups and innovators with exclusive offers and providing them with unique platforms to present their companies and services through the “Young Innovators” support programme, the “International Start-up Area” and the “Fresh Ideas Stage”. The pet industry also has to constantly face new challenges and develop new solutions, for example in the areas of technology, sustainability, design and nutrition. That's why Interzoo sees itself as an opportunity provider, enabling global attention for the ideas of start-ups and innovators," explains Dr Rowena Arzt, Head of Exhibitions at Interzoo organizer Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Zoologischer Fachbetriebe GmbH (WZF).

Fresh ideas and innovations on the ‘Fresh Ideas Stage’

The upcoming Interzoo offers particularly high visibility for fresh business ideas and innovations at the cutting edge of the industry on its ‘Fresh Ideas Stage’ in Exhibition Hall 3. Here, young companies can present their start-up ideas, innovative products and services, and forward-looking industry topics in short presentations on all four days of the fair. In addition, the popular ‘Fresh Ideas Contest’ will take place for the third time on the Friday of the fair, where participants will present their innovations to the audience and a jury of experts in order to win one of the coveted awards. However, the Fresh Ideas Stage not only offers a platform for new business ideas, but also the opportunity to meet innovators and company founders in person in the lounge area next to the stage and exchange ideas about current trends in the pet sector. Further information on how to participate is available at :

Support for start-ups from Germany

Around 30 start-ups from Germany can benefit from extensive financial and organisational support for their trade fair participation at Interzoo 2026 through the ‘Young Innovators’ support programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). Interested parties should register as soon as possible, as half of the planned places had already been allocated by September 2025. The requirements for participation in the coveted programme include an exhibition appearance at the ‘Young Innovators’ joint stand, a company headquarters and business operations in Germany, the establishment of the company within the last ten years and fulfilment of the currently valid EU criteria for small businesses (fewer than 50 employees, annual balance sheet total or annual turnover not exceeding EUR 10 million).

Since 2018, Interzoo has been one of the leading trade fairs selected by the BMWE as eligible for funding due to its high level of internationality. Since then, it has supported over 70 German start-ups, enabling them to tap into international markets and achieve sustainable success. Further information on the support programme is available at:

Special service package for international start-ups

To support newcomers based abroad, Interzoo also offers an attractive service package specifically tailored to the needs of international start-ups as part of the ‘International Start-up Area’. The trade fair offer includes a presentation area on a joint stand and a selection of marketing services that enable even smaller companies to strengthen their communication reach and trade fair success. Further information is available at:

"As the leading trade fair and marketplace for all products and services related to pets, Interzoo is the gateway to the global pet industry and therefore an indispensable event for all market participants – especially for start-ups looking to gain a foothold in the pet industry for the first time. We would like to support them in this, because only at Interzoo do they have the opportunity to meet players and decision-makers from all over the world within a short period of time," emphasises Dr Arzt.