World Startup Fest 2026 – Bologna, Italy
Overview
The World Startup Fest 2026 is the premier global event for the startup and innovation ecosystem, integrated within the broader WMF – We Make Future festival. Taking place at the expansive BolognaFiere district, this three-day summit serves as a massive crossroads where high-potential entrepreneurs, international investors, and major corporate players converge. It is specifically designed to facilitate the growth of early-stage ventures and scaleups by providing them with a platform for unprecedented visibility and strategic networking on a global scale.
The 2026 edition emphasizes a multi-vertical approach, showcasing disruptive technologies in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Aerospace, Social Impact, and Sustainability. The heart of the fest is the Startup District, a dedicated exhibition area where hundreds of innovative projects from over 90 countries present their solutions to an audience of more than 70,000 attendees. This environment fosters a unique “people-first” innovation culture, where technical excellence is balanced with social responsibility and a collaborative spirit.
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Buy on AmazonBeyond the exhibition booths, the event hosts one of Southern Europe’s largest Startup Competitions, offering participants the chance to win significant investment prizes and visibility in front of world-class VCs. The program is packed with targeted business matching sessions, speed meetings, and educational stages led by industry pioneers. This comprehensive ecosystem approach ensures that every participant, whether a solo founder or a seasoned institutional investor, finds the resources and connections necessary to drive the next wave of technological advancement.
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Event Highlights
- The International Startup Competition where the most promising founders pitch their projects to a jury of international investors for major prizes and funding.
- The Startup District a specialized exhibition floor providing physical and virtual visibility to hundreds of emerging tech companies from around the world.
- Speed Meeting & Business Matching sessions utilizing a data-driven platform to facilitate direct one-on-one encounters between startups and qualified VCs.
- Investors Night & Innovation Night exclusive networking events designed to build relationships in a relaxed, informal atmosphere outside of the main exhibition halls.
Why Attend
This event is ideal for founders looking to move beyond regional borders and enter the global market, as it provides direct access to a highly profiled audience of international stakeholders. It is equally beneficial for investors and venture capitalists seeking a high-density environment to scout for pre-vetted, innovative projects across diverse sectors. Attendees gain a strategic advantage by participating in the world’s most comprehensive educational program on AI and digital tech, ensuring they stay at the cutting edge of industry trends.
For corporate innovation heads and government representatives, the World Startup Fest offers a panoramic view of the latest technological breakthroughs and emerging business models. The benefits of attending include the opportunity to foster open innovation partnerships and recruit top-tier digital talent through dedicated job placement services. It is the definitive meeting point for those who want to play a proactive role in shaping a sustainable and technologically advanced future through strategic capital and collaboration.
Date & Duration
- Event Date: 24 June 2026 to 26 June 2026
- Event Duration: 3 Days
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: Tickets are sold through the official WMF website with tiered pricing based on registration date and attendee type.
- Admission Type: Registration includes options for Visitor Passes, Full Tickets for access to all stages, and specialized Startup or Investor packages.
- Ticket Pricing: Standard Full Tickets range from approximately $110.00 for early-bird offers to $585.00 for late registrations.
- Special Seating Options: The Mainstage and Open Stages feature open seating for all ticket holders, while workshop rooms operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
- VIP Options: Enhanced passes provide access to VIP lounges, dedicated networking areas, and exclusive invitation-only side events like Investors Night.
Venue / Location
- City and Country: Bologna, Italy
- Venue Name: BolognaFiere
- Google Maps Address: Viale della Fiera, 20, 40128 Bologna BO, Italy
Worried about accommodation? Hotels near this event sell out quickly, and prices tend to rise fast. Check out these accommodation options:
Contact Information
- Email: info@wemakefuture.it
- Phone Number: +39 051 095 1294
- Official Website: https://en.wemakefuture.it/next/events/world-startup-fest/
- Social Media Links:
- https://www.facebook.com/WMFWeMakeFuture
- https://twitter.com/WMFWeMakeFuture
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/wmf-we-make-future/
- https://www.youtube.com/@WMF-WeMakeFuture
- https://www.instagram.com/wmf_wemakefuture
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/webmarketingfestival/albums
- https://www.tiktok.com/@wmf_wemakefuture
Getting There
- Nearest Airport: Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) is approximately 7 kilometers from the venue and connected by the Marconi Express shuttle.
- Nearest Train/Metro Station: Bologna Centrale Railway Station is one of Italy’s main hubs, located about 3 kilometers or a 10-minute taxi ride away.
- Bus Routes or Public Transport Options: TPER bus lines 28, 35, and 38 provide frequent direct connections from the city center and the train station.
- Parking Availability: Ample parking is available at the Michelino Multipiano and Piazza Costituzione car parks located at the fairground entrances.
- Directions by Car: Accessible from the A14 motorway via the Bologna Fiera exit or from the ring road (Tangenziale) taking exit 7 or 8.
What is this event?
The World Startup Fest is the primary innovation-focused pillar of WMF – We Make Future, the largest international fair on AI and Digital Tech in Italy. It serves as a dedicated platform for startups to showcase their projects, compete for funding, and connect with global investors.
The event combines a massive exhibition area with a high-stakes pitch competition and structured business matching. It acts as an accelerator for the global startup ecosystem by bringing together all the necessary players for successful scaling and investment.
Why is it popular?
The event is popular because of its sheer scale and the diversity of its participants, attracting over 73,000 people from all over the world. It is known for its high-energy atmosphere that blends professional business opportunities with concerts and live shows.
Investors and founders favor it for the quality of the networking, which is facilitated by advanced matchmaking tools that ensure productive meetings. The combination of deep technical education and high-level deal-making makes it a unique fixture in the European tech calendar.
Attendee Experiences
- The energy at the Startup District is incredible and I managed to connect with three different VCs interested in our seed round.
- It is the only event where I can learn about the latest AI research in the morning and attend a tech-focused rock concert in the evening.
- The Speed Meeting sessions were perfectly organized and allowed us to maximize our time with potential corporate partners from across Europe.
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FAQ's
What is the selection process for the World Startup Competition?
Startups must submit a detailed application through the WMF portal, including their pitch deck and technical specifications, months before the event begins. A committee of experts evaluates thousands of applications based on innovation, scalability, and social impact to select the finalists who will pitch live on the Mainstage.
Is the World Startup Fest ticket valid for the entire WMF festival?
Yes, the Full Ticket for the World Startup Fest generally grants access to the entire WMF ecosystem, including the educational stages, the main exhibition area, and all live entertainment. This allows startup founders and investors to benefit from the broader educational program while participating in the specialized startup activities.
Are there specific opportunities for female founders at the event?
WMF and the World Startup Fest actively promote diversity and inclusion through dedicated initiatives and awards for female-led startups. There are often specific panels and networking sessions focused on the challenges and successes of women in tech to foster a more balanced and representative ecosystem.
What language are the main stage pitches and educational sessions conducted in?
While many of the open stages feature sessions in Italian, the World Startup Fest and the main pitch competitions are primarily conducted in English to accommodate international participants. Simultaneous translation services are often provided for key sessions to ensure that all global delegates can participate fully.
How does the B2B matching platform work for registered startups?
Once a startup is registered, they gain access to a digital networking platform where they can set up a profile and browse the list of attending investors and corporate partners. They can then send meeting requests, which, if accepted, are scheduled into a personal agenda to be held in the dedicated B2B areas during the event.
