Call Startup AI 4 Future

THE CONTEXT

WMF - We Make Future, The Biggest Event on Innovation: AI, Tech & Digital, has always championed Italian and international startups driving technology forward. This commitment continues with the 4th edition of AI Festival, the International AI Festival organized by WMF, taking place in Milan (Feb 11 - 12) in 2027.

With a strong focus on projects leveraging AI to generate a positive societal impact, WMF launched the AI for Future Call for Startups, unveiled for the first time at CES Las Vegas. This competition is dedicated to cutting-edge AI applications across the core industries shaping the present and future of Artificial Intelligence.

By applying, your startup will compete for game-changing opportunities, including:

• Participating in AI For Future in Silicon Valley (San Francisco) on November 5, 2026.

• Showcasing at WMF 2027 (June 10–12, 2027 at BolognaFiere).

• Securing a residency at the Bologna Technopole, made possible through WMF’s partnership with the Technopole and the Metropolitan City of Bologna.

• Participating in Saudi Makes Future (December 14–16, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).

These represent premier opportunities to plug into a global network of investors, corporate decision-makers, fellow startups, and key industry stakeholders through targeted B2B meetings, curated networking, and business matching in high-growth markets for Italy and Europe.

Applications are now open, fill out the form below to submit your startup.

THE OPPORTUNITIES

Participating startups will gain high-impact visibility across the WMF ecosystem, pitching directly to investors, industry experts, and corporate decision-makers.

Key Opportunities:

• Top 6 Finalists: Pitch live at AI Festival (Feb 11–12, 2027, Milan) and secure a featured spot at WMF 2027 (BolognaFiere).

• 30 Selected Startups: Access WMF 2027 to join targeted B2B meetings with VCs, showcase in the AI District, and participate in the WMF International Roadshow.

• Technopole Residency: Through our partnership with the Metropolitan City of Bologna, top startups can earn a residency at the Bologna Technopole - home to the Leonardo Supercomputer - for advanced deep-tech research.

Co-design the future of ethical, sustainable, and high-impact AI alongside a global community of innovators.

The call is open: to nominate your startup, fill out the form!

THE STRUCTURE OF THE CALL

The selected startups will land at AI Festival 2027 (January 11-12, Milan) and WMF 2026 (June 10-12, BolognaFiere) where they can compete with startups from all over the world, in front of an international jury, as well as the event audience.

Each startup has 3 minutes to present the key elements of their idea. The jury will then have another 2 minutes to ask in-depth questions. At the end, the jurors and the audience cast their vote to determine the two winners, the one chosen by the jury and the one chosen by the audience.

Read the regulations

SELECTION CRITERIA

The call is dedicated to Italian and international startups and companies - composed of individuals or teams - with innovative projects or ideas in the technological and digital sector, whose core business is Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, special consideration is given to innovative projects aimed at generating a positive impact on territories and society. Submitted projects are selected based on the following criteria:

• Team skills, industry knowledge, project feasibility;

• Development stage of the product/service;

• Degree of innovation and its defensibility;

• Competitive context and positioning;

• Responsiveness to and size of market and customer needs;

• Business potential of the idea;

• Completeness of the submitted documentation

THE PITCH

The elevator pitch is the heart of the Call for Startup AI for Future. It is a brief presentation that encapsulates the key elements of an entrepreneurial idea, designed to attract potential investors or promote a business idea.

> Download the support material

The call is open: to nominate your startup, fill out the form!