Future of FinTech & Digital Asset

THE CONTEXT

As a Certified International Trade Fair, WMF has spent over 10 years spreading entrepreneurial culture and creating growth opportunities for the Italian and international innovation ecosystems, fostering a continuous flow of opportunities between Italy and the world.

A key part of WMF is the World Startup Fest – the leading international event for startups, scaleups, and investors. The last edition recorded over 73,000 attendees from 90 countries and more than 3,000 startups and scaleups.

Additionally, at WMF you will connect with investors, incubators, VCs, Business Angels, corporates, and accelerators, representing:

• $1,500 Billion > Total Portfolio Value

• $304 Billion > AUM

• $72.8 Billion > Total Participation in Deals

• 17,000 > Funding Rounds

Among its many initiatives, WMF is proud to host the Startup Competition for its 14th edition, involving top global players from the worlds of innovation and entrepreneurship. The Competition Finale will take place on the Mainstage during WMF 2026 (June 24, 25, and 26 at BolognaFiere) and will be live-streamed worldwide.

The call closes on April 16th: fill out the form to submit your startup!

THE INITIATIVE

Are you an Italian or European startup or SME revolutionizing the FinTech and Digital Asset sectors? Apply to the call and join us at WMF 2026 (June 24–26, 2026, at BolognaFiere), in the heart of Italy’s Data Valley.

The goal of the "Future of FinTech & Digital Asset" call is to support the growth of startups and SMEs that offer innovative technologies and solid business models with a positive social impact. Selected companies will gain access to internationalisation services and product development support provided by the WMF ecosystem.

OBJECTIVES & OPPORTUNITIES

Through this call, we are looking for startups and SMEs presenting the following technologies, products, and solutions:

• FinTech & InsurTech

• Digital Payments & Embedded Finance

• Blockchain & Crypto Assets

• Digital Identity & Trust Infrastructure

• RegTech & Compliance

• Alternative Finance & Crowdfunding

From the Startup Competition call, 6 finalists will be selected to compete on the Mainstage for the final prize pool. An additional 140 startups (10 for each "Challenge of the Future") will access the Startup Stage, where they will pitch to the audience and an international panel of VCs, investors, and representatives from leading incubators and accelerators.

Furthermore, all startups and SMEs selected through the call will have the opportunity to:

• Access the Startup District: The dedicated exhibition area for startups from around the world.

• B2B Meetings: Connect with WMF's business community, including investors, VCs, open innovation stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and potential commercial partners during and after the event.

• Innovation Night & Side Events: Access exclusive networking evenings involving investors and representatives from international ecosystems.

• Receive Awards and Recognition: Gain access to exclusive resources such as potential funding, acceleration programs, and strategic partnerships. In 2025: €2.6 Million (Total Prize Value).

• Attend Industry Training and Panels: Update entrepreneurial and technological skills, learn best practices, and increase competitiveness through stages dedicated to Open Innovation.

• Participate in the WMF International Roadshow: An international project that brings the best Italian startups to major global industry events.

• Access the WMF Global Network: Opportunities for involvement in initiatives both in Italy and abroad.

• Access Saudi Makes Future (Riyadh – December 14-16): Enter the Middle Eastern market and present your project to investors and companies in the MENA region.

• Showcase to an International Audience and Industry Media: Gain visibility with an international audience of investors, leading companies, and specialized media outlets.

• Access "Land in Bo" and the Bologna Technopole: Dedicated spaces and resources within the Bologna innovation hub.

Previous winners and success stories include: Invigilo AI, Electra Vehicles, Intuos, Basetrack, MyLeg, Golee, AerariumChain, lightScience, FlowPay, Recornea, TOMMI, Friendz, PatchAI, FitPrime, Isaac, and Yape.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The call is open to Italian and international startups and companies with teams developing innovative projects or ideas in the tech and digital sectors. Additionally, special consideration will be given to innovative projects aimed at generating a positive impact on society and local territories.

The submitted projects will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Team Competence: Expertise, industry knowledge, and project feasibility;

• Development Stage: The current status of the product or service;

• Innovation & Defensibility: Degree of innovation and its potential for intellectual property protection;

• Competitive Landscape: Market positioning and competitive context;

• Market Fit: Alignment with market needs and the potential size of the customer base;

• Business Potential: Scalability and economic viability of the idea;

• Documentation: Completeness and quality of the submitted application;

• Impact: The project’s contribution to addressing the "Challenges of the Future."

CALL STRUCTURE

The Festival’s Innovation Team will announce the 10 finalist startups, selected from a global pool of Italian and international applicants. During the Finale, these startups will pitch their projects to a jury of investors, industry leaders, and incubators, as well as to the WMF audience—both in-person and online.

Each team will have 3 minutes to present the key elements of their idea. The jury will then have 2 minutes for a Q&A session. At the end, the jury and the audience will vote to determine the two winners: the Jury’s Choice and the People’s Choice.

> Read the full rules and regulations

IL PITCH

The elevator pitch is the heart of the Startup Competition. It is a concise presentation highlighting the key elements of an entrepreneurial idea, designed to attract potential investors or promote a business concept.

> Download support materials Watch

The call closes on April 16th: fill out the form to submit your startup!