Munich Security Conference

What Munich Security Conference does

The Munich Security Conference (MSC), legally Stiftung Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz (gemeinnützige) GmbH, is a Munich-based non-profit foundation founded in 1963 that operates the world's leading forum for international security policy debate. Its annual flagship conference held each February at Hotel Bayerischer Hof and Rosewood Munich convenes over 450 senior decision-makers, including heads of state, foreign and defense ministers, and leaders of international organizations, under off-the-record Chatham House rules. Beyond the flagship, the MSC runs a year-round portfolio of Munich Leaders Meetings, Strategy Retreats, Roundtables, and European Defense Townhalls across cities including Berlin, Washington DC, Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, Tokyo, and Johannesburg, complemented by pipeline programs such as the Munich Young Leaders and Women Parliamentarians initiatives.

The MSC's product surface extends well beyond convening. It produces an annual Munich Security Report, the European Defense Report (with McKinsey and Hertie School), the Transnational Security Report, plus a steady cadence of Munich Security Briefs, Analyses, Opinions, and Debriefs. Audio media includes The Art of Diplomacy, Munich Moments (in partnership with Foreign Policy), and the Zeitenwende Podcast (funded by the Landecker Foundation). Thematic initiatives cover technology, food security, geoeconomics, and the Middle East. The technology stack is commodity rather than proprietary: web infrastructure is provided by Myra Security, newsletters via Sendinblue, and IT support from x-plizit IT Solutions.

The MSC's business model is institutional rather than commercial. As a German charitable foundation (gemeinnützige GmbH), it is funded through a combination of corporate sponsorships, institutional partnerships with governments and foundations, and participant contributions; specific revenue amounts are not publicly disclosed. Publications and podcasts are distributed free of charge, the conference is invitation/accreditation-only, and there is no public pricing. The organization is operationally independent, with no parent company, and maintains an affiliated U.S. nonprofit, American Friends of the MSC, to support cross-border fundraising. Leadership is provided by Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger (Berlin) and Vice-Chairman/CEO Benedikt Franke.

Name

Munich Security Conference

Legal name

Stiftung Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz (gemeinnützige) GmbH

Website

https://securityconference.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Munich Security Conference is a Munich-based non-profit foundation, founded in 1963, that convenes the world's leading annual forum for international security policy debate, drawing over 450 senior decision-makers from 40+ countries. It supplements its flagship February conference with year-round events, policy publications, podcasts, and leadership programs for government officials, diplomats, and security experts worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Security Policy Forum

NAICS

National Security and International Affairs (9281), International Affairs (928120)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Security Diplomacy & Defense Cooperation (Arms Control, Counterterrorism) (BPAIAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Peace, Security & Arms Control Organizations (BPADAAAF), Government & Public Sector Conferences (MPAGAGAH)

Keywords

• International security policy
• Diplomatic conference forum
• Security policy research
• Defense policy dialogue
• Geopolitical analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

München

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Conference Fees and Sponsorship: As a non-profit organization (Stiftung Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz gemeinnützige GmbH), the MSC generates revenue through participant fees, corporate sponsorships, and partnerships with governments and institutions. Specific revenue amounts are not publicly disclosed.
2. Publications and Media: The MSC publishes reports (Munich Security Report, European Defense Report, Transnational Security Report) and podcasts available for free download, likely supported by institutional funding rather than direct sales revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Munich Security Conference (MSC) is a non-profit foundation that organizes the world's leading annual forum for international security policy debates, convening heads of state, ministers, diplomats, and experts. Beyond the flagship annual conference, MSC operates a year-round program of regional events (Munich Leaders Meetings, Strategy Retreats, Roundtables, European Defense Townhalls), thematic initiatives, leadership development programs, and a portfolio of analytical publications and podcasts on global security issues.

Product overview

The Munich Security Conference (MSC) operates as a multi-platform security policy forum consisting of its flagship annual Munich Security Conference, regular event series (Munich Leaders Meetings, Munich Strategy Retreats, MSC Roundtables, European Defense Townhall), and specialized programs (Munich Young Leaders Program, Women Parliamentarians Program). The organization publishes the annual Munich Security Report alongside other publications including Munich Security Briefs, Analyses, Opinions, Debriefs, and the Transnational Security Report and European Defense Report. MSC also produces podcasts including The Art of Diplomacy, Munich Moments, and Der Zeitenwende Podcast. Thematic initiatives include the Tech Strategy Initiative, Food Security Task Force, Geoeconomics Project, Middle East Consultation Group, and Zeitenwende on tour.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Art of Diplomacy: MSC podcast exploring the world of diplomacy
• Munich Moments
• Der Zeitenwende Podcast
• Munich Young Leaders Program
• MSC Women Parliamentarians Program
• Munich Security Report
• European Defense Townhall
• Munich Strategy Retreats

Products and services

• Munich Security Conference Annual flagship conference bringing together over 450 senior decision-makers and thought leaders from around the world, including heads of state, ministers, and international organization leaders, to debate pressing security policy issues.
• Munich Security Report Annual flagship publication providing data, analyses, statistics, maps and infographics on key challenges in international security policy.
• Munich Security Briefs Shorter analytical publications addressing current security policy topics.
• Munich Security Analyses In-depth analytical publications examining specific security policy issues in detail.
• Munich Security Opinions Opinion pieces from security policy experts and practitioners.
• Munich Security Debriefs Post-event debriefs summarizing key outcomes and discussions from MSC events.
• Munich Security Index Index tracking and measuring security policy indicators and trends.
• European Defense Report Research report on European defense capabilities and military development, created in collaboration with McKinsey & Co. and the Hertie School of Governance.
• Transnational Security Report Report examining illicit cross-border flows and transnational security threats including trafficking in drugs, arms, and people.
• The Art of Diplomacy Podcast Podcast offering insights into the world of diplomacy, moderated by Florence Gaub and Joshua Yaffa, featuring experienced diplomats sharing perspectives on international politics.
• Munich Moments Podcast Seven-episode podcast series produced in cooperation with Foreign Policy, highlighting iconic moments from the Munich Security Conference's 60+ year history.
• Der Zeitenwende Podcast Podcast series exploring Germany's foreign and security policy developments, part of the Zeitenwende on tour initiative, hosted by Lisa Marie Ullrich and Nico Lange.
• Munich Young Leaders Program Program engaging emerging security policy leaders through annual meetings and networking opportunities.
• Women Parliamentarians Program Program supporting and connecting women parliamentarians working on security policy issues.
• Munich Leaders Meetings High-level meetings bringing together leaders from various countries for focused security policy discussions in different locations worldwide.
• Munich Strategy Retreats Intimate strategy retreats held at Schloss Elmau and other locations for in-depth security policy dialogue.
• MSC Roundtables Expert-level roundtable discussions on specific security policy topics.
• European Defense Townhall Townhall format discussions on European defense topics bringing together military and political leaders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,000+ report downloads (MSR 2019)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• McKinsey & CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMcKinsey & Company is a key research and analysis partner for the MSC's publication program, collaborating on the Munich Security Report and European Defense Report.
• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChatham House collaborated with the MSC on the Munich Security Report 2016, contributing research and analytical expertise on international security issues.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIISS partnered with MSC on the Munich Security Report 2016, providing strategic studies expertise on global security and defense matters.
• Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMERICS collaborated with the MSC on the Munich Security Report 2016, contributing China-specific strategic analysis.
• International Crisis GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Crisis Group partnered with MSC on the Munich Security Report 2017, contributing field-based conflict analysis.
• Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNTI partnered with MSC on the Munich Security Report 2017 and 2018, providing expertise on nuclear weapons and non-proliferation.
• Hertie School of Governance / Centre for International Security Policy (CISP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCISP at the Hertie School of Governance collaborated with MSC on the European Defense Report 'More European, More Connected, More Capable: Building the European Armed Forces of the Future' (2017).
• Carnegie Endowment for International PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarnegie Endowment collaborated with MSC on the Munich Security Report 2018, providing research on international security and diplomacy.
• James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNS partnered with MSC on the Munich Security Report 2018, contributing expertise on non-proliferation and arms control.
• Oxford EconomicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOxford Economics provided economic analysis and data for the Munich Security Report 2018.
• Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIIE partnered with MSC on the Munich Security Report 2018, contributing economic policy expertise.
• RAND CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAND Corporation collaborated with MSC on the Munich Security Report 2018, providing defense and security research.
• Pew Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPew Research Center provided data and analysis for the Munich Security Report 2019.
• German Aerospace Center (DLR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLR contributed aerospace and security-related research to the Munich Security Report 2019.
• Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGPPi partnered with MSC on the Munich Security Report 2019, contributing global policy analysis.
• Friedrich Ebert Foundation Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with MSC on the Munich Security Report 2019.
• IHS Markit (now part of S&P Global)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHS Markit partnered with MSC on the Munich Security Report 2017, providing defense industry and geopolitical data.
• UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNHCR collaborated with MSC on the Munich Security Report 2016, contributing refugee and humanitarian security data.
• Foreign PolicycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForeign Policy partnered with MSC to produce the 'Munich Moments' podcast series, which explores iconic moments from the conference's 60-year history through exclusive conversations with participants and leading experts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• World Economic Forum (WEF): Organizer of the annual Davos forum, the most prominent global leadership convening. Comparable as a high-level multi-stakeholder convening institution producing flagship annual reports, though its scope is broader than security policy.
• Council on Foreign Relations (CFR): Premier US foreign policy think tank producing flagship publications and convening senior officials. Comparable as an authoritative security and foreign policy publication/convening institution, but with a US-centric focus.
• Atlantic Council: Major US-based think tank producing influential security and foreign policy reports and convening senior officials. Comparable as a producer of authoritative security analysis and high-level convenings, but operates as a broader policy institution.

Direct peers

• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Global think tank producing research on international affairs and security, and a research partner on the Munich Security Report 2018. Comparable as a producer of authoritative security analysis for government and policy audiences.
• Halifax International Security Forum: Annual invitation-only security conference held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, drawing NATO and transatlantic defense leaders. Directly competes with MSC for senior Western defense and foreign policy attendance and media attention.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): Organizer of the Shangri-La Dialogue, the leading intergovernmental security forum in Asia, and a strategic research partner of MSC on the Munich Security Report. Closest direct comparable as a globally recognized security policy convening and think-tank hybrid.
• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): London-based international affairs think tank and research partner of MSC on the Munich Security Report 2016. Comparable as a producer of authoritative security policy research and a convening institution for senior officials and experts.
• RAND Corporation: US-based global policy research institution and research partner on the Munich Security Report 2018. Comparable as a producer of rigorous defense and security policy analysis informing government decision-making.

Regional players

• Raisina Dialogue: India's flagship annual security and geopolitics conference organized by the Observer Research Foundation and the Ministry of External Affairs. Comparable as a multi-stakeholder government-led forum, but with a stronger Asia/Indian Ocean geographic anchor.

Emerging players

• Warsaw Security Forum: Central European security conference focused on NATO's eastern flank, energy security, and the transatlantic relationship. Comparable in format (high-level convening + publications) but at a smaller scale and a more regional focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MunSecConf
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCIRbGqZ-epWOAk8wWmwDy3A
• Facebookfacebook.com/MunSecConf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/munsecconf
• Instagraminstagram.com/munsecconf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Munich Security Conference