Start-up Zone at K 2028
Showcase innovations. Make contacts. Shape growth.
Are you a young company in the plastics and rubber industry? Showcase your innovations in the Start-up Zone at K 2028 and meet international trade visitors, potential customers and business partners.
18–25 October 2028 | Düsseldorf
Your services in the Start-up Zone
Everything you need for your trade fair presence
Focus on your innovations and business contacts. The Start-up Zone offers you a compact trade fair concept with stand space, basic fittings and shared infrastructure.
The current Start-up Package includes:
- Exhibition space within the Start-up Zone
- Stand construction with one table and two bar stools
- Two exhibitor passes
- Wall panel with power socket
- Graphic display area (70 × 100 cm)
- Ceiling lighting and general lighting
- Electricity supply and consumption
- Cleaning and monitoring
- Use of the shared start-up infrastructure
- Media fee for exhibitors
Additional fittings such as display cases or shelving may be available on request.
Note: The binding services and terms and conditions for 2028 are yet to be confirmed.
Who can take part in the Start-up Zone?
The Start-up Zone is aimed at young, innovative companies in the plastics and rubber industry. Find out about the requirements for taking part in the trade fair and please note the terms and conditions of participation.
Age of the company
Up to 10 years
Your company must be no more than ten years old.
Company size
1 to 100 employees
Your company employs no more than 100 staff.
Annual turnover
Up to 10 million euros
The company’s annual turnover is a maximum of ten million euros.
How to become an exhibitor in the Start-up Zone
Three steps to your trade fair stand
Would you like to showcase your innovation at K 2028? Find out about the process and start preparing for your participation well in advance.
Register your interest
Contact the K Team and let us know that you’re interested in taking part in the Start-up Zone.
Check the requirements
Work with the project team to clarify your eligibility, the available options and the next steps.
Prepare your exhibition stand
Once you have successfully registered and been accepted, you can plan your exhibition stand and prepare your innovations for presentation.
Experience start-ups at K
Innovative ideas and successful trade fair appearances
From sustainable materials and digital solutions to new recycling technologies: the K Start-up Zone offers a platform for young companies with innovative ideas.
Discover the start-ups and highlights from K 2025 and get a feel for the presentation opportunities.
Frequently asked questions about the Start-up Zone
Everything you need to know about taking part
Are you interested in exhibiting in the Start-up Zone? Here you’ll find answers to the most important questions about eligibility, services and registration.
The Start-up Zone is a dedicated exhibition area for young companies in the plastics and rubber industry. It offers the opportunity to present innovative products, technologies and business ideas to an international trade audience.
According to the criteria published to date, the Start-up Zone is aimed at companies that are no more than ten years old, employ between 1 and 100 staff and have an annual turnover of no more than ten million euros. The conditions of participation for 2028 are yet to be confirmed.
The current exhibition package includes, amongst other things, stand space, basic stand construction, two exhibitor passes, lighting, electricity supply and the use of shared infrastructure. The exact services for 2028 are yet to be confirmed.
The participation fees depend on the terms and conditions applicable to the respective event. Information on the current start-up package and the price for K 2028 can be obtained directly from the project team.
Please contact the K Team to register your interest and clarify the eligibility criteria. The project team will inform you about the next steps and the available registration documents.
The Start-up Zone was located in Hall 7.0 at K 2025. Information on its location at K 2028 will be published as soon as the hall layout has been finalised.