How Hinterland of Things turned networking into measurable ROI for sponsors
One of Germany's leading B2B tech conferences wanted networking to be deliberate, not down to luck. Here is how Let's Get Digital made it measurable.
Hinterland of Things is one of the leading platforms for the German B2B startup ecosystem. Organized by the Founders Foundation in Bielefeld, the annual conference brings together startups, established medium-sized businesses (the German Mittelstand), leading venture capital investors, and academia. As a pioneer of innovation and a bridge builder between the Old and New Economy, Hinterland of Things prioritizes quality in content, matchmaking, and the overall event experience.
- 91% app download rate
- 15,934 matches generated
- 1,493 meetings booked
- 838 leads scanned
- Community app
- Matchmaking & networking
- Badge Printing & Check-in
- Lead scanning
The Challenge: Targeted B2B Networking Over Chance
Participants, partners, and exhibitors have the highest expectations for a high-level B2B tech conference: every minute spent on-site must deliver maximum value. The Founders Foundation's goal was therefore to make the conference experience as technologically seamless and high-performing as possible: from initial registration and targeted B2B matchmaking to lead retrieval for sponsors.
To further increase efficiency and centrally consolidate all processes for more than 2000 of attendees, the Hinterland team relied on an integrated, all-in-one solution. With Let’s Get Digital, they chose an event platform partner capable of reflecting this high standard of quality.
The goal was a scalable event infrastructure: smooth check-in, reliable lead generation and better networking between attendees. As a non-profit, the organisers needed it to fit a clear budget and integrate with their existing ticketing providers.
The Solution: An End-to-End Event Infrastructure
By integrating the Let’s Get Digital platform with the existing ticketing system of theHinterland of Things Conference, a continuous, digital ecosystem was created for the entireattendee journey:
Targeted B2B Matchmaking: Via the branded mobile app, participants were able to network effectively in advance, arrange 1-on-1 meetings, and plan personalized agendas, including capacity-restricted masterclasses.
Smart On-Site Operations: Fast badge printing at check-in and digital scanning at the session rooms ensured smooth operations with zero waiting times.
Measurable ROI for Partners & Exhibitors: Sponsors were provided with a high-performance, reliable lead retrieval tool to collect and organize contacts directly on-site for streamlined follow-up. Maximum Backend Control: The organizing team managed all data streams, schedule changes, and attendee interactions through a single, centralized interface.
The Result: Outstanding Engagement at Hinterland26
The 2026 edition impressively demonstrated how modern app technology elevates networking to the next level. The key metrics speak for themselves:
Of participants downloaded the app
Matches generated
Booked meetings
Talk favourites across 96 sessions
Push messages read
Chat messages sent
Leads scanned by exhibitors
The Hinterland of Things Conference 2026 set a new benchmark for what a high-impact B2B tech conference can look like: intelligent matchmaking, measurable value for sponsors, and a flawless user experience for all stakeholders.
The main learning is straightforward. Successful B2B conferences depend on structured networking and reliable lead generation, which makes an integrated event platform key to scaling professional events.
Inhoudsopgave
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