Innovation and sustainability are inseparable concepts, which is why WMF - We Make Future, the International Fair and Festival on Technological and Digital Innovation, has identified 14 Challenges of the Future with the aim of creating a shared, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable tomorrow, by highlighting projects and solutions that can generate a positive impact on the environment and communities.

Every year, all the actors in the innovation ecosystem come together at WMF: startups, companies, institutional delegations, investment funds, makers, and researchers, with the aim of promoting what we can define as an innovative, inclusive, and circular society, without which a tomorrow cannot be imagined.

Are you a startup that is developing or has launched a project to tackle one of the 4 Challenges of the Future? Discover the open calls and startup opportunities offered by WMF.

Are you a company committed to one of the areas defined by one of the 14 Challenges of the Future? Show the international audience of the Festival the solutions developed to tackle one of the 14 challenges, by presenting your services or products at the WMF, thus further enhancing your brand!

Discover the 14 Future Challenges

1. Future of IndustryTech & Robotics
1. Future of IndustryTech & Robotics

Industry 4.0 is driving a new industrial revolution based on interconnectivity, automation, and artificial intelligence. The challenge is to create "smart factories" where robotics, IIoT, and AI optimize every stage of the production process, from logistics to predictive maintenance. This paradigm enables more flexible, efficient, and customized manufacturing, reducing waste and increasing competitiveness.

Some examples of industries: Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, Automation, Physical AI & Industrial Robotics

Are you interested in this challenge?

2. Future of Space Industry
2. Future of Space Industry

Space represents the new frontier of economic opportunity and exploration. The challenge of the Space Economy is to develop a sustainable and accessible commercial space industry. From launching satellite constellations for Earth observation and global communications, to space tourism, resource extraction, and in-orbit manufacturing, unprecedented opportunities are emerging for innovation and human advancement.

Some examples of industries: Space Infrastructure & Software, Earth Observation & Space Data, In-Orbit Services & Sustainability, AI for EO

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3. Future of Food & Agriculture
3. Future of Food & Agriculture

Tackling the climate crisis and ensuring food security for a growing population requires a profound transformation of the agri-food system. The challenge is to develop and implement Climate Tech and Ag-Tech solutions, such as precision agriculture, alternative proteins, and carbon capture technologies, to create a resilient, efficient, and environmentally harmonious production chain.

Some examples of industries: Agritech, Food Innovation, Food Safety, Sustainable Supply Chain, AI & Agricultural Robotics

Are you interested in this challenge?

4. Future of AI - Digital Business & Media
4. Future of AI - Digital Business & Media

Some examples of industries: Digital Marketing & AI-Driven Agencies, Dev Agencies, AdTech & MarTech Platforms, TV, Radio & Media Platforms, Journalism, Creator Economy, Community Platforms & Engagement Tools, Data Economy & Attention-Based Business Models

Are you interested in this challenge?

5. Future of Rights & Cybersecurity
5. Future of Rights & Cybersecurity

In a hyperconnected world, digital trust is the foundation of every interaction. The challenge of cybersecurity is to protect data, infrastructures, and identities from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. This requires the continuous evolution of defense technologies, from AI for anomaly detection to quantum encryption, to build a secure, resilient, and reliable digital ecosystem for individuals and organizations.

Some examples of industries: Legal Tech, Ethical & Responsible AI, Data Protection & Privacy, Cybersecurity & Cyber Defense, Digital Rights & Accessibility

Are you interested in this challenge?

6. Future of Entertainment & Cultural Industry
6. Future of Entertainment & Cultural Industry

Music, gaming, sports, cinema, and immersive experiences. This challenge explores the entertainment of the future, at the intersection of technological innovation, creativity, and new models of cultural engagement.

Some examples of industries: Music, Sports, e-Sports & Gaming, Cinema, Performing Arts & Digital Culture, AI & Creativity

Are you interested in this challenge?

7. Future of GovTech & Public Services
7. Future of GovTech & Public Services

The digital transformation of Public Administration is crucial for creating governments that are more efficient, transparent, and citizen-focused. The challenge for GovTech is to apply strategic technologies such as AI, Big Data, and blockchain to improve public services, streamline bureaucracy, and promote civic engagement. This also includes the use of technology for national security and the strategic management of critical infrastructures.

Some examples of industries: GovTech, Civic Tech, Digitalization-AI and Services for Public Administration, Digital Public Services, Participation and Transparency

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8. Future of Health & Life Sciences
8. Future of Health & Life Sciences

Technological innovation is transforming medicine into an increasingly personalized, predictive, and participatory system. The challenge for the future of healthcare is to harness the potential of genomics, AI for diagnostics, telemedicine, and wearable devices to prevent diseases, optimize treatments, and enhance overall well-being. The goal is to shift from a reactive model to a proactive one, placing the patient at the center of the care journey.

Some examples of industries: Wealth & AI/Digital Health, MedTech & Devices, Biotech & Pharma Innovation, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Active Aging, Medical & Assistive Robotics

Are you interested in this challenge?

9. Future of e-Commerce & Retail
9. Future of e-Commerce & Retail

Some examples of industries: E-commerce & New Commerce, Retail Tech & Store Innovation, Marketing & Promotion Tech, Logistica & Delivery, Software & Platform Solutions, Customer Experience & Loyalty, Robotics for Logistics

Are you interested in this challenge?

10. Future of Education & Work
10. Future of Education & Work

Automation and digitalization are reshaping the labor market, making continuous learning essential for professional and personal growth. The challenge is to develop new flexible and collaborative work models while creating personalized and accessible learning paths (reskilling and upskilling) to ensure that no one is left behind in the transition to the jobs of the future.

Some examples of industries: Digital Education & EdTech, Skills Development & Lifelong Learning, Work Organization & New Work Models, HR Tech & Talent Management, AI Agents & Generative Learning Technologies, Educational & Training Robotics

Are you interested in this challenge?

11. Future of CleanTech & Energy
11. Future of CleanTech & Energy

Safeguarding biodiversity and regenerating degraded ecosystems are among the most urgent challenges of our time. The goal is to go beyond sustainability and embrace a regenerative approach. This requires innovative solutions in biotechnology, environmental monitoring (e.g., using drones and AI), circular economy, and practices aimed at restoring the health of soils, oceans, and forests, ensuring a future for our planet.

Some examples of industries: CleanTech, ClimateTech, Renewable Energy, Circular Economy, AI for Environmental Modeling

Are you interested in this challenge?

12. Future of FinTech, InsurTech & Blockchain
12. Future of FinTech, InsurTech & Blockchain

The Fintech revolution is democratizing access to financial services and redefining the concept of money. The challenge is to develop payment systems that are increasingly fast, secure, and integrated, from e-commerce to invisible payments. Decentralized finance (DeFi), cryptocurrencies, and Open Banking open up new opportunities for financial inclusion, investments, and wealth management, while simultaneously demanding new security and regulatory paradigms.

Some examples of industries: FinTech & InsurTech, Digital Payments & Embedded Finance, Blockchain & Crypto Assets, Digital Identity & Trust Infrastructure, RegTech & Compliance, Alternative Finance & Crowdfunding

Are you interested in this challenge?

13. Future of Smart Cities & Mobility
13. Future of Smart Cities & Mobility

The future of cities and villages is built through intelligent spaces and sustainable mobility. Smart Cities and Smart Villages become connected ecosystems where quality of life, innovation, and local identity intersect. In this context, autonomous, shared, and electric mobility is a key element for reshaping urban and rural environments. Technologies such as IoT, AI, Digital Twins, and Urban Data Platforms enable inclusive, resilient, and community-centered development models.

Some examples of industries: Smart Cities/Village & Intelligent Infrastructure, Mobility, Autonomous & Shared Systems, Urban Resilience, Digital Twins & Urban Data Platforms

Are you interested in this challenge?

14. Future of Tourism & Culture Heritage
14. Future of Tourism & Culture Heritage

Some examples of industries: Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism, Tourism Promotion, OTA (Online Travel Agencies), Hospitality & HoReCa, Cultural Heritage Enhancement, Small Towns & Rural Areas, Local Identities & Traditions, AI for Tourism.

Are you interested in this challenge?

Are you a startup?

Tell us how your innovative project addresses one or more of the 12 challenges, discover the currently open calls and all the opportunities for startups offered by the WMF.

Are you a company?

Is your business committed to one of the areas defined by the 12 Challenges of the Future? Show the international audience at WMF the value of your services or products: discover all sponsorship opportunities!