Call Startup AI 4 Future

WMF - We Make Future, the International Fair on AI, Tech, and Digital Innovation, has long supported Italian and international startups developing innovative projects in AI, tech, and digital sectors. This commitment continues with AI*Festival - Integrating AI, the international event organized by WMF in Milan, dedicated to showcasing AI applications shaping the present and future.

The AI for Future Startup Call stems from this vision, focusing on startups leveraging Artificial Intelligence to drive innovation and create a positive societal impact. This competition highlights AI applications across industries and sectors, offering startups a platform to shine in two major events:

• AI Festival: February 26-27, 2025, in Milan.

• WMF: June 4-6, 2025, at BolognaFiere, located in the Tecnopolo district, a hub of Italy’s Data Valley.

Thanks to the collaboration with WMF, Tecnopolo, and the Metropolitan City of Bologna, participants will also have access to opportunities at Tecnopolo di Bologna, a leading center for innovation.

These events are invaluable for startups, offering a chance to connect with investors, companies, and industry stakeholders through B2B meetings, networking sessions, and business matching in a dynamic environment driving innovation in Italy and Europe.

The first selection phase closes on 24/01: fill out the form to nominate your company

Participating startups will gain valuable visibility, presenting their projects within WMF’s innovative ecosystem to an audience of key players in the digital sector, including investors, entrepreneurs, and innovation experts who may support their growth.

The 6 finalist startups will compete live during the final stage at the AI Festival (February 26-27, 2025, in Milan) and will also be showcased at WMF 2025 (June 4-6, 2025, at BolognaFiere).

Additionally, 30 selected startups will join WMF 2025, where they will have the opportunity to access B2B meetings with international investors, the Startup District exhibition area, join the WMF International Roadshow, and become part of the WMF global network, with potential involvement in initiatives across Italy and abroa

A key highlight of this year’s competition is the partnership with Tecnopolo di Bologna and the Metropolitan City of Bologna. Thanks to this collaboration, top-performing startups may be selected to access the Tecnopolo facilities, home to the Leonardo Supercomputer, opening new opportunities for advanced research and cutting-edge technological development.

By applying to the AI for Future Startup Call, your startup will become part of a global community of innovators, collaborating to shape the future impact of artificial intelligence.

The first selection phase closes on 24/01: fill out the form to nominate your company

The finalist startups will compete live during the final stage at the AI Festival on February 26-27, 2025, in Milan.

The selected startups will also move on to WMF 2025 (June 4-6 at BolognaFiere), where they will present their projects to an international audience, engage with startups from across the globe, and pitch in front of a panel of international jurors.

Each startup will have 3 minutes to present their idea, followed by a 2-minute Q&A session with the jury. At the end of the pitches, the jury and audience will vote to select two winners, one chosen by the jury and one by the audience.

Read the instructions

The call is dedicated to startups and companies - composed of individuals or in teams - with innovative projects or ideas in the technology and digital sector, whose core business is Artificial Intelligence. In addition, special interest is given to those innovative projects aimed at generating a positive impact on territories and society. Candidate projects are selected based on the following criteria:

• Competence of the team, knowledge of the field, the feasibility of the project;

• Stage of product/service development;

• Degree of innovation and defensibility of the same;

• Competitive environment and positioning;

• Responsiveness to and size of market and customer needs;

• Business potential of the idea;

• Completeness of the documentation submitted

The elevator pitch is the heart of the Competition. It is a short presentation that encapsulates the key elements of a business idea, designed to attract possible investors or promote a business idea.

> Download the support material

Apply your startup!