🏃 FOMO Berlin: Introducing FOMO Off-Market: The Best Hires Aren’t on Job Boards | 24.03 - 30.03

Weekly newsletter keeping you up to date on the coolest events for tech & culture in Berlin

Author

Cephas from FOMO
March 23, 2026

Hi Berliners 👋

Over the past months, something interesting kept happening. Almost every week, founders would reach out asking, “Do you know someone for this role?” — and at the same time, operators and investors would tell us, “I might be open for something new, let me know if you hear anything.” And more often than not, we actually did.

After 80+ events and 40,000+ people brought together across Berlin and Munich, we sit pretty close to what’s actually going on — who’s building, who’s moving, who’s quietly exploring. So we started making introductions. Informal, low-key — but with surprisingly strong outcomes.

Now we want to lean into this and try something new: FOMO Off-Market. A more intentional way to connect a small number of companies with high-signal people from our network. No job boards, no noise — just curated introductions to people you wouldn’t come across otherwise. If you’re hiring (or thinking about it), reach out → Learn more. 


And if you’re the type who likes an unfair advantage, plan your event schedule smarter with FOMO Berlin Insider.

📨 Stay subscribed to FOMO247 and keep an eye out for more exciting events and opportunities we’ve got in the works. Trust me, you won’t want to miss what’s coming next! 😉 

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What did you FOMO last week 📸 
FOMO Opportunity Spotlight & Carve Out 🔦 :

  • Mon. Mar. 23 – Wed. Mar. 25: Data Driven VC Summit 2026 📊 | Virtual:
    A global summit for investors, founders, and operators exploring data-driven venture capital. Expect insights on AI, investing strategies, and the future of tech — all through a data-first lens.

  • Lessons of a First-Time Fund Manager — Mario Gabriele shares insights from running his first VC fund: developing conviction, backing founders early and navigating the uncertainty of venture.

Upload your event and reach 15000+ weekly Berlin + Munich readers. Or just connect your event with our Lu.ma - Fomo Berlin Calendar. 

The FOMO Berlin week 💙 (24.3 - 30.3):
FOMO Top Picks of the Week 🔥

These are the events I would attend if I were in town:

All Day Festivals & Conferences ✨

  • Mar. 13 – Mar. 29: Heimathafen Neukölln 🎭 | All Day: Theatre, concerts, book launches, slam poetry, interactive shows, and live music including “UPPER INTO THE INDIVIDUAL POSITION,” MUSK ON MARS, MADRE®, Chris Thile, and more across Studio & Hall Berlin.

  • Mar. 20 – Mar. 29: MaerzMusik Festival 2026 🎭 | All Day: International festival with concerts, performances, installations, and talks exploring music, art, and culture in today’s changing world.

  • Mar. 28 – Apr. 6: Festtage 2026 – Opera & Classical Festival 🎻✨ | All Day: Celebration of romantic composers featuring opera, choral masterpieces, and concerts blending drama, emotion, and timeless classical music performances.

Tuesday 24th

  • Onstage European Tour – Berlin 🤖 | Berlin: An AI founder gathering bringing together builders from across the full stack — from foundational models to agents and applications. Hosted with Merantix, Earlybird, Best Nights VC and Atlantic. For ambitious early-stage AI founders. Apply by Mar. 13, 9 AM CET.

  • NLND Breakfast Club: Funding Women in DeepTech 🚀☕ | 9:30 – 11 AM: Panel, matchmaking, and networking event focused on funding strategies, connections, and growth for women in deep tech industries.

  • International Defense & Cybersecurity Tech Day 🛡️ | 2 – 8 PM: Explore Europe’s defense and cybersecurity innovation with panels, demos, networking, and startup insights.

  • Zero to Workflow: Women Automation Build Night ⚙️👩‍💻 | 6 – 10 PM: Hands-on workshop where women learn automation basics, build their first workflow, explore real use cases, and connect with Berlin builders.

  • Fuckup Nights Berlin: Women on Stage 💜🎤 | 6:30 PM: Honest storytelling event featuring women sharing failures, lessons, and growth, followed by networking with Berlin’s supportive business community.

  • SLEEK x Bookclub with Sophie Passmann 📚✨ | 7 PM: Community-focused bookclub event featuring inspiring discussions, cultural exchange, and connection around literature, ideas, and contemporary perspectives.

  • Afterwork Aperitivo for Startup Founders 🍸🚀 | 7:30 – 10:30 PM: Relaxed networking evening for founders sharing fundraising insights, challenges, and strategies while connecting with peers and industry experts

Wednesday 25th
Thursday 26th

  • AI x Creativity – Berlin Experience 🤖✨ | 4 – 9 PM: Panel, masterclass, and case study exploring how AI transforms creative production, storytelling, and video workflows for artists and innovators.

  • AI4Science: Gravitational Waves 🌌 | 6 – 8:30 PM: Explore AI in astrophysics with transformer models, keynote, Q&A, networking, and drinks.

  • Female Founder Night Berlin 👩‍💻🚀 | 6 – 10 PM: Panel, Q&A, and networking event sharing inspiring journeys of women founders, entrepreneurship insights, and meaningful connections within Berlin’s startup community.

  • ROCKET INTERNET decoded - Panel Talk with Rocket's Legends 🚀 | 6:30 – 10 PM: Panel with Rocket legends decoding 15 years of unicorns, scaling, and startup DNA.

  • Berlin Book Launch 📚 | 6:30 – 10:30 PM: Celebrate Own Your Story launch with readings, leadership insights, and dialogue sessions.

  • Spätschicht x C/O Berlin – Art Night 🌙🎶 | 7 – 10 PM: Evening of readings, performances, workshops, and screenings blending contemporary art, music, and experimental practices in an immersive cultural setting.

  • baby VC × VOY After Work Drinks 💼✨ | 8 – 11 PM: Relaxed networking evening for founders and investors to connect, share insights, and discuss early-stage ventures without formal panels or pitches.

FOMO Upcoming Top Events & Opportunities 💯 :

  • Tue. Mar. 31: AI Breakfast: From MVP To Seed ☕ | 9 – 10:30 AM:  Learn how to turn AI research into scalable, investable products; panel insights, networking. 

  • Wed. Apr. 1: Foresight’s Berlin AI Node: Launch Salon 🤖 | 11 AM – 9 PM:
    A full-day gathering blending co-working, talks, and a launch salon for Berlin’s AI Node. Expect builder-focused sessions, lightning talks, and an evening of dinner, drinks, and networking with the AI community.

  • Wed. Apr. 15 – Thu. Apr. 16: FIBE – Finance & Tech Festival Berlin 💳 | Multi-day: Europe’s leading finance and tech festival bringing together founders, investors, corporates, and innovators at CityCube Berlin.

Friday 27th

  • Awen Wine Salon Vol. 4: The Soul of the Sea 🍷 | 6 – 10 PM: Explore ocean-influenced wines, cozy conversation, and paired bites in a relaxed, intimate setting.

  • GTM & OPS Hackathon x handly ⚡ | 6 – 11 PM: Build real MVPs for handly’s challenges; go-to-market and operations tracks, prizes, mentorship included.

  • ADEMAX BusinessPokern Berlin 🤝🎲 | 6:15 PM – 12:30 AM: Networking event combining poker, conversations, and social interaction, allowing entrepreneurs and professionals to build connections in a relaxed, gamified environment.

  • Le Confetti Club – Masquerade Ball ✨🕺 | 8 PM – 4 AM: Masquerade party with music, performances, and immersive atmosphere, inviting guests to dress elegantly and celebrate mystery, creativity, and connection.

Saturday 28th

  • New Balance x LOAD Shake Out Run 🏃‍♂️ | 10 AM: A community shake-out run ahead of the Berlin Half Marathon. Easy 7km run (6:30/km pace) from NB East to West, test the new Ellipse running shoes, and finish with coffee & pastries at Acid Café. Bag drop available.

  • Ante Berlin Half Marathon Weekend 🏃‍♂️ | From 12 PM: Ante opens its Kreuzberg studio for a Half Marathon weekend hangout. Morning shake-out run + breakfast (limited, sign-up required).

  • Quantum Café Berlin ☕🤖 | 3 – 6 PM: Panel and talks exploring quantum computing, sensing, and bridging scientific innovation with venture capital insights and deep tech commercialization.

  • Close Friends Birthday Bash 🫂🎷 | 11 PM – 6 AM: Celebrate with live DJs, saxophone, debut single performances, makeup buffet, and nonstop partying all night.

Sunday 29th

  • GENERALI Berliner Halbmarathon | All Day: Join Berlin’s iconic half marathon for runners of all levels, enjoy the city route, and race day excitement!

  • DANCÆ – Modalities of Me ⚡ | All Day: Ballet, electronic music, and immersive art performances in two acts with live installation and exhibition.

  • Zauber x Point Nine Builders Café 🤖 | 10 AM – 4 PM: Relaxed Sunday session for AI builders and founders; coffee, pizza, project work, networking.

  • Beginner Textured Art Workshop 🎨 | 4 – 6 PM: Learn textured painting with acrylics and paste; beginner-friendly, materials included, one participant wins a starter set.

Monday 30

  • Hot Boys Cry: Cry Session 💧 | 6 pm: Guided conversations and deep reflection space for men to connect, express emotions, and build meaningful, honest connections.

  • STORM HYROX Hybrid ⚡ | All Day: High-intensity fitness sessions in Berlin; mornings, lunchtimes, and Sundays to build power, strength, and endurance.

Upload your event and reach 15000+ weekly Berlin + Munich readers. Or just connect your event with our Lu.ma - Fomo Berlin Calendar. 

FOMO Partner Benefits 🎁

  • Get 6 Months of Qonto’s Smart Plan Free: Looking to simplify your business banking? Sign up using the code fomoberlin and get the Smart plan free for six months (worth around 150 EUR), including a dashboard for cash flow, income, and expense tracking, plus integrations like DATEV and Lexware.

Do you have any suggestions, questions, or criticisms? Just answer this email.

Don't FOMO 😬 We are back next week. Want access to exclusive guestlist spots or free tickets worth 1000 EUR, and plan your week in advance? Join FOMO Insider 💙

Cephas & the FOMO team 💙

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