The expo area dedicated to Startups, Scaleups, Accelerators, Incubators, innovative SMEs and investor delegations from all over the world. Inside, events and initiatives to encourage meetings with investors, incubators and international players.
MAIN SPONSOR 2024
THEMATIC DISTRICT
AI | Companies | Startup | Creators
Startup & VC District
eSports & Gaming District
The district dedicated to the world of gaming, a whole area focused on the most innovative esports, from simulators to AR and VR experiences, all the way to retrogaming and arcade—a mix for all tastes and all ages!
AI District
The best Artificial Intelligence solutions in a dedicated district thanks to the presence of Italian and international companies: they present products, software, services, and the latest innovations in AI.
Martech & E-Commerce District
Web Agencies, Tools and Services for E-commerce and leading digital players in an exhibition district present their solutions during the 3-day event.
Maker&Tech District
A space reserved for new technologies, robotics, drones and the most innovative products. Research institutes, Makers and innovative SMEs will be able to present their technology projects.
Other Districts
Districts also include those dedicated to institutions, territories-with villages, municipalities and cities for tourism promotion-to the world of publishing, as well as to the digital market and work.
Would you like to showcase your brand in the Expo Area?
Choose the thematic districts and industries you wish to target, take advantage of the last available spaces, and secure a booth at the Expo Area to find new business partners. Book by April 29th!
Would you like to organize your B2B meetings?
Organise your B2B meetings with highly qualified profiles, meet new clients and/or suppliers in dedicated reserved areas.
INTERNATIONAL
PAVILIONS
B2B & B2G Opportunities
During the three days, opportunities for meetings and business matching are organized, ideal for stimulating connections between companies, professionals, startups, investors, institutions, and public administrations.
Within each pavilion, you will find B2B Areas where it will be possible to book desks and hold business meetings with companies, startups, or investment funds from over 90 countries. You’ll have the chance to present your innovative solutions to a targeted audience, connect with new clients, discover products or services suited to your business, and establish new commercial partnerships.
Job Placement
Among the thematic events found in the Expo Area is the Digital Job Fair, dedicated to professionals and companies in the Digital-Tech sector.
Inside, numerous initiatives are structured to facilitate the meeting between companies with open positions and professionals seeking employment. By taking advantage of the service, which is also active on the official WMF web app, if you represent a company you can select and meet resources in the ICT sector, senior professionals, Creators, junior resources and students entering the world of work; if, on the other hand, you are a professional looking for a job, you can request an interview from hundreds of companies from different industries: from martech to artificial intelligence, from tourism to e-commerce and many others.
ESPORTS & GAMING
Tournaments | Retrogaming | VR
You'll have the chance to connect with professional gamers and video game enthusiasts, experiencing the world of esports firsthand and testing the latest industry technologies within a dedicated area spanning over 300 square meters!
Arcade Zone
An authentic arcade with legendary arcade cabinets and special setups to relive the excitement of 1980s video games!
PS5/Xbox/Switch Area
The latest releases and the best video games all waiting to be tried out on numerous next-generation console stations.
Mario Kart 8 Experience
One of Nintendo's biggest successes in a multiplayer setup with 4 official Mario steering wheels!
Supermario vs Sonic Experience
Giant controllers and special setups to experience a unique gaming experience with some of the most iconic characters in gaming.
The History of Video Games
An interactive journey from the early prototypes of the 1960s to modern video games, featuring consoles, games, and rare pieces on display.
The House of the Dead Zone
Straight from the 90s, the iconic remake with modern light guns: wield the pistol and defeat your enemies!
DRONESOCCER
Show | Gaming
260 sqm Area
During the next edition of the WMF, the exclusive FIDA WMF Club Challenge 2025 of Drone Soccer will take place, an innovative esport featuring drones. In addition to watching the competition, you’ll have the chance to experience firsthand the thrill of an esport that resembles Quidditch from the famous Harry Potter books!
Competition Area
In the dedicated area, you can watch live matches between professional Drone Soccer teams, who will be at BolognaFiere from June 13th to 15th: a unique spectacle, for the first time in Italy!
Test Area
An area dedicated to WMF participants will be equipped, where you can personally test the innovative e-sport, led by the FIDA team, Federation of International Dronesoccer Association.
TECHNICAL PARTNER 2025
FUTURE SHOW
Humanoids | Prototypes | Tech Show
Among the robots at WMF 2025
Humanoid robots
You will meet humanoid robots in the Exhibition Area: machines capable of performing specific tasks and engaging in intelligent conversations thanks to AI.
Prototypes and quadruped robots
You will be able to interact with technological prototypes designed to work alongside human colleagues, including high-performance quadruped robots!
One Love Band Machine
One Love Machine, the band made entirely of recycled metal robots, will perform in the exhibition area with a tech music show.
ROBOT ARENA CHALLENGE
Robot Battle | Game Arena
The adrenaline of Robot Combat at WMF
Do you remember Robot Wars or BattleBots on TV? At WMF 2025, you’ll experience that excitement live thanks to the Arena by I Robottari: a dedicated space where engineering, strategy, and adrenaline come together. I Robottari promote the sport of robot combat in Italy, bringing to WMF a unique experience that blends technology, competition, and entertainment.
Pilot a Robot in the Battle Arena
On the first two days of WMF, the arena is yours! On June 4th and 5th, you'll be able to rent and personally pilot combat robots (non-destructive category) provided by I Robottari. A perfect chance for direct and engaging interaction with technology, in a safe and fun environment.
The Destructive National Championship
Friday, June 6th, get ready for the show! The Arena by I Robottari will host the CRIC - Combat Robots Italian Competition, the national destructive championship for Antweight robots (150g). Teams from all over Italy will face off with their fierce 'robot gladiators' in battles to the last chip!
POWERED BY
Do you want to register as a participant?
GIRLS CODE IT BETTER
+2.000 young women in STEM
Teamwork | Critical Thinking | Communication
Over 2,000 female students take center stage at WMF 2025
The Girls Code it Better project aims to engage middle and high school female students with STEM subjects and the world of technology. In line with the values of WMF - We Make Future, its main goal is to bridge the gender gap in these fields and foster creativity among girls.
Digital skills
The girls work on hands-on projects that integrate programming, making (e.g., 3D printing, robotics), design, and communication.
They learn by doing ("learning by doing").
Networking
The students and coaches of the Girls Code it Better project will have the opportunity to build international connections with the professional and academic communities present at the Fair.
Training
The WMF will be a unique opportunity for training and inspiration for the participants, thanks to the presence of international professionals in the fields of AI, tech, and digital.
ORGANIZZATO DA
VERO VOLLEY
Tournaments | Playgrounds | VR
Playgrounds
In the Exhibition Area, Vero Volley will set up a real volleyball court—an opportunity to have fun with friends and colleagues and to create new connections.
VR / Tournaments
You can participate in engaging activities with headsets at the Vero Volley desk, to experience an immersive and innovative experience.
TECHNICAL PARTNER
AUTOMOTIVE
4 Wheel - 2 Wheel | Test Drive
In the Test Drive Area you can test the vehicles of:
RACE FOR THE FUTURE
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Bologna
Challenges and technologies developed by student teams
For over 15 years, the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Bologna has launched and coordinated various learn-by-doing projects, directly involving students in managing real teams competing in international engineering competitions.
At WMF 2025, Unibo will be present with the following activities:
Prototypes and technological demonstrators
An exhibition of prototypes created for international competitions, such as the Solar Challenge and the Rocket Challenge, which take place annually and involve the creation of these prototypes. They are designed and developed by students under the supervision of faculty members from the Department, who are active in relevant areas of interest. These prototypes are focused on addressing current technological challenges, such as reducing environmental impact, renewable energy, sustainable materials and processes, and digitalization.
Setup of simulators
To experience the driving of various competition vehicle prototypes, from two to four wheels, and to engage an increasingly larger audience in the activities carried out by its faculty, researchers, and students.
Scientific stations
Faculty and, especially, Unibo students will interactively explain the principles of physics behind vehicle technologies, from design to production. All the projects involve numerous leading industrial partners, such as Ducati and Lamborghini.
Educational stage
A space that will involve key representatives from the automotive and aerospace industries, students, and university faculty, where important topics will be discussed, such as: university-industry collaboration, new technologies, and how these will help overcome the challenges faced by industry and society.
In collaboration with
MUSIC & SHOW
Emerging Bands | DJs | Buskers
Certified International Trade Fair
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