Startup Competition

The WMF, International Trade Fair and Festival on Innovation: AI, Tech and Digital, has been promoting entrepreneurial culture and creating development opportunities for the Italian and international innovation ecosystem for over 10 years, aiming to generate a flow of opportunities between Italy and abroad.

Within the WMF, the World Startup Fest takes place - the international reference event for startups, scaleups, and investors. The last edition saw over 70,000 attendees from 90 countries and more than 3,000 participants including startups, investors, incubators, VCs, Business Angels, corporates, and accelerators.

Some numbers from the ecosystem you will find at WMF:

1.300 Billions > Total Portfolio Value

214 Billions > AUM

60.7 Billions > Total Participation in Deals

13.630 > Fundings Rounds

Among its many initiatives, the WMF is also organizing the Startup Competition - now in its 13th edition - involving the main international players in the world of innovation and entrepreneurship. The final of the Competition will take place on the Mainstage during the WMF 2025, scheduled for June 4, 5, and 6 at BolognaFiere, and will be streamed worldwide.

The call for applications is now closed. Should you require any further information, please contact us via email at innovation@wemakefuture.it.

From the call for the Startup Competition, 6 finalist startups are selected to participate in the Mainstage Finale, competing for the prize pool (2.1 Milions in 2024), while another startups gain access to the Startup Stage. There, they present their pitches to the audience and representatives of major incubators and accelerators.

Additionally, other selected startups from the call have the opportunity to:

• Present to an International and Knowledgeable Audience:
  Thanks to an international audience consisting of investors, industry-leading companies, and participants from around the world.

• Access the Startup District:
  An exhibition area dedicated to startups from all over the world.

• Organize B2B Meetings and High-Level Networking:
  Through the WMF business community, which includes investors, venture capitalists, open innovation stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and potential business partners. Connecting during and after the event is facilitated.

• Gain Extensive Visibility:
  Participating startups are in the spotlight of a broad audience, receiving attention from media, influencers, and industry professionals.

• Receive Additional Awards and Recognitions:
  Accessing exclusive resources such as potential funding, acceleration programs, and strategic partnerships.

• Attend Industry Educational stages and Panels:
  Thanks to dedicated stages on open innovation, entrepreneurs can update their business and technological skills, learn best practices, and enhance their competitiveness.

• Join the WMF International Roadshow:
  An international project that accompanies the best Italian startups abroad, participating in major industry events.

• Access the Global WMF Network:
  With the possibility of involvement in related initiatives in Italy and beyond.

  Winners of previous editions include TOMMI, Friendz, PatchAI, FitPrime, Isaac, Yape, light science, FlowPay, Recornea, MyLeg, Golee, AerariumChain, Yalla, Cyrkl, as well as Basetrack and Intuos, the two winning projects of the WMF2024 Startup Competition.

The call is dedicated to startups and businesses - made up of individuals or teams - with innovative projects or ideas regarding the digital/technological sector. Innovative projects aimed at generating a positive impact on territories and society will be considered with particular interest.Applicants will be selected according to the following criteria:

• Skills of the team, knowledge of the sector, the feasibility of the project;

• The development stage of the product/service;

• Degree of innovation and its defensibility;

• Positioning in relation to competitors;

• Consistency with market and customers’ needs and potential outreach;

• The business potential of the idea;

• Completeness of the documentation presented.

The WMF's Innovation Team will announce the 6 finalist startups, selected from both Italian and international participants, who will present their pitches during the Finale on the Mainstage. During the finale, the selected startups will present their projects in front of a panel of investors, industry players, and incubators, as well as the WMF audience, both in the venue and online.

Each team has 3 minutes to present the key elements of their idea. The jury will then have an additional 2 minutes to ask follow-up questions. At the end, both the jury and the audience will cast their votes to determine the two winners, one chosen by the jury and one chosen by the audience.

> Read the instructions

The elevator pitch is a brief presentation where you describe your business venture in a nutshell. A solid elevator pitch needs to convey the business idea in a concise manner, so as to attract the audience's attention quickly.

> Download the support material

> Watch the winning pitches from past editions

The call for applications is now closed. Should you require any further information, please contact us via email at innovation@wemakefuture.it.

AB Consulting (AB Innovation Consulting) offers a winning startup targeted fundraising consulting. Experts in innovation and growth will support startups and corporate projects, facilitating business development in every industrial and strategic sector.

Alberto Carrai, Angel Investor, offers one selected startup a full day dedicated to marketing/product development. An opportunity to refine strategies, optimize the product, and receive expert advice to accelerate market growth.

Angelo Morini, an expert Angel Investor, offers 4 hours of personalized strategic and financial consulting to a winning startup. The sessions will provide practical insights on fundraising, valuation, and planning from an investor's perspective.

Arkad Consults offers a selected startup professional consulting and training on sales programs. The intervention is designed for the team, aiming to optimize commercial strategies and enhance sales performance through a targeted approach.

B4i - Bocconi for innovation offers a winning startup the B4i Venture Toolkit. It includes initial consulting and, tailored to needs, possible access to the acceleration program, mentorship with experts, and contacts with suppliers and potential investors.

Backe Advisory offers a selected startup mentoring and coaching. It provides practical tools, advisory services, and operational skills to support pioneering companies on their path to growth and market establishment.

Beeco, a tech hub for sustainable practices, offers an agritech startup an acceleration path with top Italian mentors towards the investment round. It includes 20 operational support calls and 3 specific training sessions.

Best3Minutes offers 6 selected startups pitch workshops and online courses to train professionals. Participants will also get access to the digital and audio versions of the books "Blue Moon Pitch" and "Pitch To Win".

Blacksheep Ventures offers a selected startup the know-how of MarTech experts for Business Plan review and optimization. Targeted support to define effective, data-driven, and growth-oriented digital marketing strategies.

Bolzano Slush'd offers a winning startup the opportunity to participate in the event on September 4, 2025. The prize includes a dedicated Startup Booth for visibility and presentations, plus two free tickets for full access.

Canva offers a winning startup one year of free access to Canva Pro. This subscription includes all premium tools to easily create effective pitch decks, impactful marketing materials, and professional branded content.

Danube Angels offers one selected startup business coaching, mentoring, and strategy evaluation. They also facilitate connections to key investors, providing comprehensive support for business development and growth in the market.

EIT Manufacturing supports a winning startup in strategic market access and fundraising. It also offers valuable targeted visibility opportunities within its extensive European network, facilitating key connections for the company's international development.

Elevate Momentum Partners, specializing in management consulting for StartUps, ScaleUps, and SMEs, offers 5 hours of consulting to a winning startup. The focus will be on strategic entry and operation in the Swiss market, providing practical insights.

Entrepreniston, a Swiss Venture Capital fund, offers a winning startup a free Acceleration Program. This path aims to catalyze growth, providing strategic resources, mentorship, and potential access to funding for the innovative company's development.

Fondazione Social Venture Giordano Dell’Amore (FSVGDA) guarantees a selected startup access to "Get it! – Percorso di Valore". The program supports initiatives with social, environmental, or cultural impact through targeted capacity building, strategic mentorship, and potential capital access.

Fool Farm, with its Move2USA internationalization program, guides Italian startups in fundraising, networking, PoC, and go-to-market. For a winning startup, it offers a 20% discount on participation in the quarterly program, facilitating entry into the US market.

Gruppo Sella offers an "Ecosystem Impact Strategic Mentoring" session. Its Competence Centers will analyze a startup's business model and value proposition, offering advice on impact scaling and facilitating connections with key stakeholders for growth and go-to-market.

Grownnectia, a team of coaches, mentors, and advisors, provides 6 selected startups access to 120 hours of training masterclasses. This path aims to transfer advanced skills and strategic insights to accelerate the participants' business development.

Haystack Ventures, an early-stage VC, offers a selected startup strategic mentorship and priority in its dealflow. An opportunity to access expert advice and be evaluated for potential investments through their qualified network of contacts.

I3P, a hi-tech business incubator, offers a selected startup 6 months of free incubation. The program aims to promote and support the creation and development of new high-tech entrepreneurial ventures.

Immediate Accelerator offers a selected startup strategic visibility on its media channels. This opportunity aims to promote the startup through Immediate's network, facilitating collaborations and co-innovation with large companies and qualified SMEs.

Imment offers 3 selected startups a fundraising course and workshop. It also provides funding, mentorship, corporate connections, and personalized support to foster startup success, accelerating their growth and market development.

Innovation Design offers a winning startup 1 hour of strategic mentorship. Using Design Thinking and Business Design, they help improve business models, manage organizational changes, and implement concrete corporate and process innovation projects.

Innovation Discovery offers a winning startup consulting sessions focused on Strategy and Business Development. This personalized support aims to define growth paths, identify market opportunities, and refine the company's competitive positioning.

Innovation World Cup offers two wildcards for a speaking opportunity. Selected startups can present at MEDICA (Nov 17th) and BIM World MUNICH (Nov 26th), gaining international visibility before a qualified audience.

ISPO Brandnew offers sports startups ISPO network access and visibility at a B2B event (55K+ attendees). Includes a booth at special rates and a pitch opportunity to investors, media, and top industry brands.

LifeGate Way offers a startup: LifeGate Edu platform access, an article on LifeGate.it, LinkedIn carousel. Also, 3h LifeGate Way consulting (sales, finance, impact), 1h founder coaching with Elga Corricelli, and 3h training in an acceleration program.

Limineer provides a winning startup with one month of strategic support through the "Strategic Advisory & Ecosystem Partner" package. It includes advisory, access to the partner network, visibility, and targeted connections to accelerate growth and positioning.

Manuel Verde (representing My Best Deal) offers a selected startup 12 months of mentorship. This program will provide ongoing legal support from an interactive community of lawyers to address challenges and growth opportunities.

Merakyn offers a selected startup qualified support for fundraising activities. This includes strategic consulting, preparation for investor meetings, and network access to optimize capital raising efforts.

Nana Bianca offers a selected startup its "Growth Program": 4 meetings with the Acceleration Team to define growth strategies, and 2 free desks at their coworking space, fostering networking and development.

OpenSeed offers a Proptech or MarketingTech startup participation in its acceleration program. This includes an intensive growth path and investment opportunities to develop and scale the business.

OVHCloud offers a selected startup cloud credits for its products. An opportunity to access scalable infrastructure and advanced cloud services, optimizing costs and supporting the project's technological growth.

Over Ventures offers a startup the free "Chief Crowdfunding Officer" package. This includes support from a network of professionals specialized in business innovation processes, with an agile, analytical, and personalized approach.

The Polo Tecnologico di Navacchio offers NextUp, a service path for startups. It includes support for Business Model/Plan, funding monitoring, targeted consulting (individual/group) on specific and crucial topics, and strategic networking with potential investors.

Qonto, the financial management solution for SMEs and professionals, offers a winning startup a 4x4 pre-built booth at WMF 2026. A unique opportunity to gain maximum visibility and meet clients and investors.

Re2n, creator of digital solutions for sustainable innovation, offers 3 days of consulting to a selected startup. The support aims to integrate sustainability into processes and products, leveraging digital technologies for a positive impact.

San Marino Innovation will evaluate the innovative idea of a selected startup. It also offers certification and free first-year residency within the Innovation Regime, concretely supporting local launch and development.

Seedble, specializing in consulting and training for innovative strategies, offers 18 hours of support to a winning startup. The goal is to help develop future-proof business models, adopt new technologies, and improve business processes.

Seedmoney provides a winning startup with mentorship and business support. The service includes analysis and review of pitch and business plan, identification of development opportunities, and concrete support for fundraising and networking with investors.

Sigal Ventures may offer one WMF winner a full scholarship to Mike Sigal’s Pitch Slap Academy. This fundraising accelerator teaches elite founders the unwritten VC rules, strategic storytelling, and precision-engineered fundraising processes.

SmartCore Hub promotes international expansion for selected real estate and urban innovation startups. It offers entry into its community and access to dedicated promotions to accelerate growth and internationalization for chosen companies.

Space for Imagination, Djungle Studio's accelerator for early-stage startups, offers a free mentorship session. A team member will guide a winning startup in validating its business idea, providing strategic support and targeted insights.

The Law Firm of Ivan Tizzanini offers a startup 5 hours of online strategic-legal consulting. The support focuses on identifying and validating the business model, applying "legal by design" principles.

TESLA Venture Studio will support 10 SusTech startups with X|Ergy SusTech® Powerhouse. This launch platform is dedicated to evaluating, validating, and optimizing innovative entrepreneurial ideas through targeted cycles of assessment, demonstration, and practical application.

Watermelon Ventures, a fund dedicated to climate innovations, offers a selected startup personalized "Office Hours." An opportunity to receive support and advice from expert mentors and coaches in the climate tech sector and growth strategies.

W Executive, specializing in Head Hunting and change management, offers 3 hours of Office Hour to a selected startup. An opportunity to receive expert advice on talent search and strategies for navigating workplace evolutions.

Wurth Electronics offers a selected startup hardware components, technical advice, development support, and access to lab services. Concrete help for prototyping and engineering innovative electronic products.