"Wir wissen sehr gut, wie aufwendig die technische Planung und Umsetzung von virtuellen Events ist und sind sehr froh, dass wir dies bei euch stets in guten Händen wussten. Es hat Spaß gemacht, mit euch zu arbeiten, Ideen für unsere Plattform zu entwickeln und schließlich das Event durchzuführen. Danke für eure Beratung, die tolle Plattform und die stets freundliche und fröhliche Stimmung in unseren Treffen."
X
Business is allowed to be fun.
We believe in the power of festivals. Because people open up where they feel at home. Ditch the ties. Get to the real conversations.
STAGE / FESTIVALS
The PIRATE Summit spirit.
For years we ran the PIRATE Summit — "Burning Man for startups," as people called it. We learned that when you get the atmosphere right, remarkable things happen. Deals closed on a handshake. Friendships built for life. We bring that same energy into your corporate event.
01
Festivalization
We bring the energy of music festivals into the business world. Food trucks instead of buffets. Campfires instead of cocktail tables.
02
Extraordinary Venues
Scrapyards, derelict factories, open-air parks. We find locations with character — places that feel like somewhere, not everywhere.
03
Community Building
A festival creates belonging. We design rituals and moments that turn attendees into a community people actually want to be part of.
Use Case: Gamescom & Beyond
Side events that rock.
Trade fairs are loud and exhausting. Your event should be the oasis. Whether it's an exclusive afterparty at Gamescom or a networking dinner in an industrial loft — we stage encounters that people actually talk about.
We know the best venues in Cologne and NRW — from hidden gems to large-format halls. And we know how to make them come alive.
Bring the Festival Vibe What makes a festival a festival?
01. The Dramaturgy
A festival has peaks and valleys. Big moments on the main stage, quiet moments by the fire. We choreograph the rhythm of your event from start to finish.
02. The Freedom
Attendees aren't prisoners. We create spaces to explore, recharge, and connect spontaneously. Serendipity is something you can actually design for.
03. The Aesthetic
Pull-up banners and draped cocktail tables? Hard pass. We work with lighting design, art installations, and furniture that has a point of view.
04. The Food
Food is conversation. A street food market does more for networking than a three-course dinner at round tables ever will.
Zusammenarbeit auf Augenhöhe
Was unsere Kunden sagen.
"Ich arbeite seit Mitte 2020 mit PIRATEx zusammen, mittlerweile sind sie mein Premiumpartner für die komplette audio-visuelle Umsetzung von virtuellen Events. Wir haben gemeinsam große digitale Messen, Kongresse und verschiedene Informations-Veranstaltungen für meine Agenturkunden realisiert. PIRATEx hat mich bei allen Projekten konzeptionell, technisch und organisatorisch hervorragend unterstützt und ist dabei für jede Idee und Anregung offen gewesen – ein sehr agiles und flexibles Team, mit dem es auch menschlich bestens passt!"
„Aus eurem Workshop konnten wir viele Ansätze super für unsere Arbeit im Team mitnehmen. Es war genau der bereichernde Impuls, den wir uns gewünscht haben, in einer gemeinsamen „Veranstalter-Sprache". Mit dem daraus resultierenden Drive konnten wir die restlichen Team-Tage sehr gut an unseren „Baustellen" weiterarbeiten und viel anstoßen."
FESTIVALS / FAQ
Business Festival FAQ
What do you actually mean by 'festivalization' of a business event?
It's about breaking rigid B2B structures open. Instead of passive content consumption: an organic experience with multiple interaction zones, a relaxed atmosphere, and a discovery mindset for attendees. The result: less networking anxiety, more genuine conversations, measurably better energy in the room.
Does the festival format work for every industry?
Yes — as long as the goal is genuine connection. It works especially well for tech, creative, and innovation topics. But even more conservative industries benefit when people show up as personalities rather than job titles.
How do you find the right off-beat locations for business festivals?
Through a network we've built over years in industrial spaces, lofts, and outdoor spots across Cologne, Düsseldorf, and the Ruhr region. We actively look for places that aren't off a standard venue list — from old factory buildings to urban camping spots.
What does a business festival cost?
It depends heavily on size, location, and production scope. A smaller festival for 80–200 people starts at around €30,000. Large open-air formats with a main stage, catering, music, and full production can run €150,000 and beyond. We'll give you an honest assessment after your first briefing.
What makes the PIRATE Summit the model for business festivals?
It proved that CEOs and founders open up around a campfire when the setting is right. No PowerPoints, no ties, no agenda that evaporates after three days. That DNA — raw, authentic, unfiltered — is what we bring into corporate contexts without diluting it.
Ready for something real?
Let's turn your next corporate event into something your team actually looks forward to.
Let's burn the house down (metaphorically)