## Introduction

Calling all visionary entrepreneurs! Bits&Pretzels, in partnership with TechUkraine, European Association for Software Engineering (EASE), and Kyiv IT Cluster, is thrilled to extend a special invitation to Ukrainian startups for the highly anticipated Bits & Pretzels 2023.

Are you the mastermind behind a groundbreaking tech startup? Does your innovative product or solution possess the power to revolutionize industries and transform the world? If you're ready to embark on an exhilarating journey, we invite you to join the most exhilarating tech event of the year!

Bits & Pretzels\
September 24-26\
Munich, Germany

## About the Event

Prepare to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Bits & Pretzels, where the brightest minds, innovators, and disruptors from every corner of the globe converge. This grand festival will unite 5000 participants, including founders, investors, and influential figures in the startup realm. The event will take place at the prestigious ICM Internationales Congress Center.

We're on the lookout for startups in diverse tech-related fields that meet the following criteria:

* Companies that launched their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in 2013 or later.
* Startups with a team size not exceeding 100 employees and funding amounting to less than 15 million euros.

At the festival, a dedicated Ukrainian stand, spanning an impressive 2x4 meters, will proudly showcase four handpicked Ukrainian startups. The primary goal of the stand is to demonstrate the immense potential of Ukraine's thriving technology sector and foster valuable connections.

As a gesture of support, the conference organizers offer pavilion space free of charge, with EASE generously covering half the cost of the booth. Participating startups are required to contribute a participation fee of €560, along with any associated logistics expenses.

## How to Apply

To seize this extraordinary opportunity, complete the comprehensive [application form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVPEFtI_G_GPIVyy12dCPSCgRBX64DjFedbAo-8DQDOy9avw/viewform), ensuring you provide detailed information about your startup, your exceptional team, and the purpose of your attendance at this illustrious conference.

Application Deadline: **September 20**

## Action Plan

* Accepting startup applications until September 20.
* On **September 21**, a captivating offline Open Call with the esteemed jury will be held in Kyiv, where four deserving startups will be selected to shine at the festival.
* On the same day, **September 21**, participants must transfer the participation fee to the EASE account and provide essential company details for stand branding.
* Stand preparation and publication of captivating startup information will be carried out **until September 22**.
* Finally, mark your calendars for the grand event itself, Bits & Pretzels 2023, taking place f**rom September 24 to 26**.

Don't let this golden opportunity slip through your fingers! Be a part of Bits & Pretzels and propel your startup to unprecedented heights. [Join us](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVPEFtI_G_GPIVyy12dCPSCgRBX64DjFedbAo-8DQDOy9avw/viewform) in shaping the future of technology, where innovation knows no bounds!


Join the exhilarating Bits & Pretzels 2023 tech event in Munich, Germany! Open call for Ukrainian startups to showcase their innovative products and disruptive solutions. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with industry leaders, investors, and fellow visionaries shaping the future of technology. Apply now and be part of the most exciting startup festival of the year!

Unleash Your Startup's Potential at Bits & Pretzels 2023: Open Call for Innovators

### Gaming as the New Sanctuary: Why 2026 is the Year of "Slow Play"

In February, we were excited about the big titles and the tech specs. But as we move through May 2026, a much more interesting shift is happening. Gaming is no longer just about "winning" or "adrenaline"; it has become our primary tool for Sensory Restoration. In a world that is too loud and too digital, we are using virtual worlds to find the silence we can't find in reality.

#### The Rise of "Zen-Core" Design

We are seeing a massive departure from the stressful, high-intensity loops of the past. The biggest hits of early 2026 aren't the shooters; they are "Atmospheric Simulators."

Designers are moving away from cluttered UIs and constant notifications. Instead, they are focusing on Minimalist Interaction Design. Games like the upcoming [Hollow Knight: Silksong](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.hollowknight.com/silksong) (which, yes, is finally becoming a reality) are being praised not just for their gameplay, but for their "Negative Space" – the quiet moments where the player is encouraged to just be in the environment. It’s the architectural principle of "Ma" (the space between) applied to gaming.

#### Tactile Reality: Beyond the Screen

The most exciting hardware isn't a faster graphics card; it’s about how the game touches you. We talked about haptics before, but now we see it used for Emotional Design.

New controllers and wearables are being used to simulate the feeling of wind, the texture of stone, or even the subtle rumble of a distant storm. This isn't just for "cool factor", it's for grounding. For many professionals working in high-stress environments, spending 30 minutes in a tactically immersive world has become a more effective form of meditation than any app. It’s "Digital Grounding."

#### The "GTA VI" Dilemma: Hype vs. Humanity

While everyone is counting down to the [Grand Theft Auto VI](https://www.rockstargames.com/VI) release on November 19, the conversation has shifted. We aren't just talking about the size of the map. We’re talking about the Hyper-Realism of Human Connection.

Rockstar is pushing the boundaries of non-scripted social interaction. The NPCs (non-player characters) in Vice City don't just walk in loops; they respond to your body language and tone. It’s a massive experiment in digital sociology. But it also raises a question: in a world where digital characters feel this real, how do we protect our own emotional boundaries?

#### The Return of the "Handcrafted" World

As AI-generated "infinite" worlds flood the market, we are seeing a "Luxury Renaissance" for handcrafted games. Players are willing to pay a premium for titles where every asset was placed by a human designer, where every lighting choice was intentional.

In 2026, "Manual Design" is the new "Organic." We want to feel the intent of the creator. We want to know that a human sat in a room and decided that this specific shade of sunset was the right one for this specific moment.

Gaming in 2026 is moving from the "arcade" to the "gallery." It is becoming a space for architectural exploration, sensory regulation, and genuine emotional narrative. We aren't just playing games to escape; we are playing them to remember what it feels like to focus, to feel, and to breathe.

What to watch this Summer:

* [Ghost of Yotei](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/ghost-of-yotei/) – The pinnacle of "Atmospheric Realism" and visual storytelling.
* [Neva](https://neva.game/) – A masterclass in how emotional design and minimalist aesthetics can create a powerful mental health narrative.
* [The Plucky Squire](https://www.thepluckysquire.com/) – A brilliant experiment in shifting perspectives and playful, human-centric design.

Move over, high-stress shooters. In May 2026, gaming is entering a luxury renaissance of handcrafted worlds and emotional design. Explore why titles like Ghost of Yotei and Neva are becoming our ultimate tools for mental health and focus.

The Rise of Slow Play & Zen-Core Gaming in 2026

From Adrenaline to Sensory Restoration: How "Zen-Core" Design, Minimalist Interfaces, and Digital Grounding are Turning Virtual Worlds into Meditative Spaces.

Gaming as the New Sanctuary: Why 2026 is the Year of "Slow Play"

# The Tactile Rebellion: Why Design in 2026 is Getting "Messy" Again

For the past decade, we’ve lived in a world of "Flat Design." Everything—from your banking app to the logo on your fridge—was stripped down, smoothed out, and sterilized. It was clean, it was efficient, and by 2025, it became incredibly boring.

Now, in 2026, the pendulum is swinging back with a vengeance. We are witnessing the Tactile Rebellion: a design movement that rejects digital perfection in favor of textures that make you want to reach out and touch your screen.

### The Post-AI Aesthetic: The Value of "Human Flaws"

The catalyst for this shift? Paradoxically, it was AI. As Generative AI started flooding the internet with hyper-perfect, glossy, and symmetrical images, "perfection" lost its value. When an algorithm can generate a flawless interior in three seconds, flaws become the new luxury.

Designers are now intentionally moving away from the "uncanny valley" of AI perfection. We’re seeing a rise in Imperfect Minimalism:

* Raw Textures: Digital interfaces that mimic the grit of concrete, the grain of recycled paper, or the weave of heavy linen.
* Puffy & Organic Forms: Instead of sharp, clinical corners, we have "squishy" buttons and 3D shapes that look like they were molded from clay rather than drawn in Figma.
* Variable Typography: Fonts that look like they were stamped by a malfunctioning typewriter or etched by hand.

### Psychology of the "Squish"

According to recent studies in Neuroaesthetics, our brains react more positively to organic, tactile shapes than to rigid geometric ones. This is often called "Biological Resonance." In an era where we spend 10+ hours a day behind glass, a button that looks like it would "squish" when pressed provides a micro-dose of sensory satisfaction that a flat blue rectangle simply can't match.

Brands like Nothing, Airbnb, and even high-end fashion labels are leaning into this. They aren't just selling a product; they are selling a sensory experience. If it looks handcrafted, it feels trustworthy.



### The Death of "Corporate Memphis"

You know those flat, faceless blue characters that used to be on every startup landing page? They are officially dead. In their place, we are seeing 3D illustrations that look like stop-motion animation or felted wool characters.

This isn't just a nostalgic throwback to the 90s; it’s a strategic move to create Digital Warmth. In 2026, the goal of a designer is no longer just "usability"—it’s "emotional comfort." We want our digital tools to feel like a well-worn leather notebook or a favorite ceramic mug, not a cold laboratory instrument.

The Tactile Rebellion is a reminder that humans are physical creatures living in a digital world. We crave texture, depth, and a little bit of messiness. As AI continues to push us toward a world of sterile perfection, the most successful designs will be the ones that dare to be a little bit "rough around the edges."

Are you ready to embrace the "mess"? The next time you see a website that looks like it was made of clay and old paper, remember: it’s not an accident. It’s a rebellion.

Perfection is no longer a luxury. Discover why designers are ditching "Corporate Memphis" for raw textures, clay-like forms, and Neuroaesthetic satisfaction in a world of AI-generated noise.

Design Trends 2026: The Rise of Tactile & Organic Aesthetics

Beyond the Flat Screen: Why Imperfect Minimalism and "Squishy" Interfaces are Replacing AI-Perfection to Restore Digital Warmth.

The Tactile Rebellion: Why Design in 2026 is Getting "Messy" Again

On December 20, 2023, Kyiv — Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship [/nnov8](https://www.cyberinnov8.com/) and [Unicorn Nest](https://unicorn-nest.com/), with the support of the [USAID Program "Competitive Economy of Ukraine"](https://www.facebook.com/usaidcep.ua/), are launching the Fundraising Lab project to increase investment maturity and help attract investments for 10 Ukrainian startups.

The 6-month initiative will run from January to June 2024 and will help startups raise capital from local and international investors, including venture capital funds and business angels. The FundraisingLab project offers practical support in the form of development of investment attraction skills, assistance in organizing and supporting an investment round, as well as building connections with the community of local and international investors.

“One of the biggest current challenges for technology companies is access to international capital. FundraisingLab project is designed to improve the level of investment maturity of Ukrainian startups and help ten of them with practical experience of growth and fundraising from local and international investors and business angels,” Sviatoslav Sviatnenko, CEO of /nnov8.

Unicorn Nest, which has already helped more than 300 startups from different countries to attract capital, and whose team members have facilitated investments for Ukrainian startups and scaleups in the total amount of more than $70 million (including Dmarket, SOCPrime, Dreamteam, Lemon.io and others) will become a partner of the project , providing its unique experience and innovative services in the field of fundraising.

FundraisingLab project allows you to use the unique experience of attracting investments in combination with the use of innovative services and online tools for attracting capital.

“We believe that Ukrainian startups have incredible potential and are proud to support their path to fundraising. FundraisingLab was created to help them realize their ambitions in attracting investments and grow in the international market through practical experience and a relevant community,” Denis Dovgopoliy, CEO of Unicorn Nest.

Ukrainian technology startups that attract an institutional round of investments in the amount equivalent to $1 million or more are invited to participate in the project.

Applications for the project will be accepted until January 19, 2024 inclusive.

The start of the project is January 22, 2024.

Read more details about the project and apply [via the link](https://fundraisinglab.com.ua/).

**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION**

The [USAID program “Competitive Economy of Ukraine](https://www.facebook.com/usaidcep.ua/)” supports Ukrainian business in order to increase competitiveness in the domestic market of Ukraine and in international markets, helps in building a simplified and transparent business climate, and also provides Ukrainian companies with opportunities to take advantage of international trade.

[/nnov8](https://www.cyberinnov8.com/) is a center of innovation and entrepreneurship, founded for the development of the technological ecosystem in Ukraine. The center helps potential and existing entrepreneurs create and scale startups as well as technology businesses.

[Unicorn Nest](https://unicorn-nest.com/) is a Ukrainian SaaS company in the FinTech industry, which with the help of services meets all the fundraising needs of startups.

MEDIA CONTACT\
Al’ona Guseva\
Head of PR and Communications at /nnov8\
[aguseva@cyberinnov8.com](mailto:aguseva@cyberinnov8.com)


Join the Fundraising Lab project launched by /nnov8 and Unicorn Nest in collaboration with the USAID Program "Competitive Economy of Ukraine." This 6-month initiative aims to enhance investment maturity and assist 10 Ukrainian startups in attracting capital from local and international investors. Benefit from practical support, development of investment attraction skills, and connections with a vibrant investor community. Apply now until January 19, 2024, and kickstart your fundraising journey in January 2024.

Fundraising Lab project announces a set of 10 startups to help attract investments

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