Full Ticket on offer for €89 + VAT, instead of €649 + VAT only until 25/09
BUY NOW
TICKET 2027 EXPO 2027

Startup Competition AI For Future
Rules


1. Duration and Timeline

The Call for Startup AI for Future is open.

Application Deadlines:

  • Phase 1 Deadline: October 15, 2026 — San Francisco, USA Selection

  • Phase 2 Deadline: November 10, 2026 — AI Festival Selection (Milan)

  • Phase 3 Deadline: December 10, 2026 — Saudi Makes Future Selection (Riyadh)

  • Phase 4 Deadline: April 9, 2027 — WMF Selection

  • WMF Grand Finale: June 12, 2027

2. Promoting body

The promoting body of the initiative is the company Search On Media Group S.r.l., Registered and Operational Headquarters: Via Ugo Bassi, 7 - 40121 Bologna, VAT no. 02418200800 - Share capital €10,000 Tel: 051 09 51 294 - Email: info@wemakefuture.it.

3. Objective of the initiative

The initiative aims to encourage entrepreneurship by supporting the most innovative projects in the technological and digital fields. The call is intended for startups that have developed or intend to develop an innovative project or study in the field of AI and data management.

4. Participation conditions and operational mechanics

To participate in the call, it is necessary to fill out the specific form which consists of four sections:

  • THE APPLICANT AND THE TEAM

  • THE COMPANY

  • THE PROJECT AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE

  • THE DOCUMENTATION

Within the third step of the form, the 14 challenges of the future are indicated, which each startup is called to select as the challenge to be addressed with its innovative project.

1. IndustryTech & Robotics

2. Space Industry

3. Food & Agriculture

4. AI - Digital Business & Media

5. Rights & Cybersecurity

6. Entertainment & Cultural Industry

7. GovTech & Public Services

8. Health & Life Sciences

9. E-Commerce & Retail

10. Education & Work

11. CleanTech & Energy

12. FinTech, InsurTech & Blockchain

13. Smart Cities & Mobility

14. Tourism & Culture Heritage

5 . Procedure

The finalist startups, to be announced in the coming months, will present their projects at the designated WMF events for which they are selected. Following the presentation, the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions to the finalist teams in the following minutes.

Participants must express their vote based on the following parameters:

  • 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.

6. Prizes

The finalists of the Startup AI for Future Call will be evaluated by the technical committee of WMF - We Make Future, which will assign the planned prizes according to the following evaluation criteria:

  • Clarity of the pitch presentation;

  • 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 awarding of the prize represents the recognition of personal merit or in any case a title of encouragement in the interest of the community. No liability may be attributed to the promoter in relation to the provision of prizes by the aforementioned partners.

7. Contacts

The promoter reserves the right to contact the winners and any third parties indicated by means of the addresses in its possession.

8. Exclusion from the regulations of D.P.R. 430/01

In accordance with Article 6 of D.P.R. 430/01 “Regulation concerning the organic revision of the discipline of prize competitions and prize-winning operations, as well as local prize events pursuant to art. 19, paragraph 4, of law 27 December 1997, no. 449,” this initiative is not considered a prize competition and/or prize-winning operation as it is organized for the presentation of projects or studies in a commercial or industrial context, in which the awarding of the prize to the author represents the recognition of personal merit or in any case a title of encouragement in the interest of the community.

9. Liability

Furthermore, no liability may be attributed to the promoter in relation to the conduct of the initiative and/or the awarding of the prizes. In any case, the participant undertakes to hold the promoter harmless and indemnified from any and all prejudicial consequences, costs, damages - including sanctions from competent authorities - that may arise for or be asserted against the promoter as a result of their actions or violation of the Regulations. If, for any reason, the initiative cannot be carried out as planned, the promoter reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify or cancel the initiative, without any liability arising for the promoter, and without any prior notice. For the purpose of participating in the initiative, it is not necessary to purchase and/or sell any products marketed by the promoter and/or related to WMF. Participation in the initiative is free of charge.

10. Applicable Laws

The initiative and these regulations are governed by Italian law.

Bologna, 17/04/2026