Within the WMF - International Fair and Festival on Innovation AI, Tech & Digital - the 2026 edition of the World Startup Fest will take place: the international reference event for innovative SMEs, startups, scaleups, and investors.
The 2025 World Startup Fest welcomed over 3,000 innovation stakeholders from 90 countries. In this new edition, the opportunities to meet a global community committed to defining the future of innovation will be even greater.
During the World Startup Fest, you will have access to numerous events and initiatives designed to connect the best of global innovation and to provide innovative SMEs, founders, and investors with ongoing opportunities for B2B meetings, networking, growth, and visibility.
Discover below the opportunities for startups and investors scheduled for World Startup Fest 2026 and purchase your Full Ticket to attend.
The stage dedicated to the Startup & VC world, where the ambition of founders and the vision of investors meet.
Here you will find pitch sessions where founders will present their innovative projects, alternated with exclusive roundtables with the protagonists of international Venture Capital.
Backend & Cloud
The stage dedicated to backend development and cloud infrastructure, sponsored by DEVPUNKS, where scalability, performance, and modern architectures take center stage.
Here you’ll find best practices, real-world use cases, and solutions to design robust, distributed systems ready for the future.
Sponsored by
Digital Marketing & Business Solutions
The stage dedicated to digital marketing strategies and business solutions, where innovation meets performance and growth.
Here you’ll discover tools, case studies, and insights to optimize campaigns, drive results, and scale your business effectively.
Advertising
The stage dedicated to digital advertising, focusing on advanced tracking, complex funnels, and high-performing campaigns in key sectors such as healthcare.
Here you’ll explore real case studies and practical tools to optimize your advertising strategies and maximize results.
Machine Learning
The stage dedicated to Machine Learning, focusing on techniques, models, and practical applications in real-world projects.
Here you’ll explore expert insights and case studies to understand how to implement effective ML solutions.
Robotics & Physical AI
The stage dedicated to robotics and AI applied to the real world, focusing on hands-on projects and building intelligent robots.
Here you’ll explore demos, workshops, and real-world cases to see how AI can be applied to the physical world in innovative and engaging ways.
Social Media Strategies
The stage, powered by Social Media Strategies, dedicated to social media strategies in the age of the endless feed, where attention is the real competitive advantage.
Here you’ll discover practical insights, emerging trends, and tools to create effective and engaging content.
Part of
AI Commerce
The stage dedicated to artificial intelligence applied to e-commerce, covering innovative strategies, personalization, and sales optimization.
Here you’ll explore case studies and practical tools to transform e-commerce with AI and maximize business results.
AI & Business Transformation
The stage dedicated to providing a vision of how Artificial Intelligence will shape the future of work, business processes, and society.
Here you’ll explore perspectives, insights, and real examples to understand how AI could transform the world ahead.
Entrepreneurship
The stage dedicated to the future of entrepreneurship, focusing on trust, learning, and new business models in the AI era.
Here you’ll explore ideas, tools, and perspectives to innovate and lead change in the startup and business world.
Start the Future
The stage dedicated to inspiring and guiding participants toward the future, focusing on innovation, leadership, and new opportunities.
Here you’ll discover vision, ideas, and insights to shape your path and anticipate the changes ahead.
Coding Frontend
The stage dedicated to frontend development, focusing on new AI-driven coding paradigms and autonomous workflows.
Here you’ll explore real examples and innovative tools to automate testing and optimize the development of modern interfaces.
Data & Analytics
The stage dedicated to data analysis and using AI to extract deep insights and predict future trends.
Here you’ll explore real case studies and practical tools to turn data into a competitive advantage and optimize business performance.
AI Solutions
The stage dedicated to advanced AI solutions, focusing on scalable, human-centric platforms for enterprise applications.
Here you’ll explore real examples, strategies, and tools to design and implement effective and sustainable AI solutions.
GovTech
The stage where power dynamics are redefined in the age of AI.
From new forms of democracy to geopolitical shifts, from the future of work to next-generation cities, this stage brings together institutions, policymakers, companies, and research leaders to explore how technology and AI are reshaping rules, processes, and decision-making models.
From AI in justice and security to innovation diplomacy, from agentic government to new urban and regional governance models: not just vision, but direction.
To understand who will lead change — and how.
Management & Leadership
The stage dedicated to leadership and management in the AI era, focusing on strategies to lead teams and complex processes.
Here you’ll explore real cases, insights, and tools to innovate, make effective decisions, and develop visionary leadership.
Content Marketing
The stage dedicated to content marketing and digital storytelling, focusing on micro-content, communities, and using AI to tell authentic stories.
Here you’ll explore practical methods, case studies, and tools to create effective and engaging content even in fast-paced, complex contexts.
Journalism
Lo stage dedicato al futuro del giornalismo, tra innovazione digitale, AI e nuovi format narrativi.
Qui troverai prospettive, casi studio e insight da giornalisti e creator per comprendere l’evoluzione del settore.
Content Creators
The stage dedicated to digital creators, YouTubers, and artists, where creativity and storytelling become practical tools to engage audiences. Part of the Social Media Strategies event and built with the support of industry agencies, this stage offers practical examples, personal experiences, and insights to grow as a content creator and build your community.
Powered by
EduTech
The stage dedicated to innovation in education, focusing on AI, cognitive mentoring, and lifelong learning.
Here you’ll explore practical examples and case studies to understand how technology can support and enhance human learning.
UX & UI
The stage dedicated to user experience and interface design, in partnership with Architecta, focusing on practical strategies to create intuitive and engaging digital products.
Here you’ll explore real examples, case studies, and expert tips to design top-level user experiences.
In partnership with
Space Economy
The stage dedicated to the space economy, focusing on innovations, opportunities, and technologies shaping the future of space.
Here you’ll explore insights from experts and industry mentors, and real-world cases to understand the dynamics of orbital and beyond-Earth economies.
Open Innovation & International Ecosystem
The stage dedicated to Open Innovation, where global strategies and local ecosystems meet.
Here you will find sessions that explore the international innovation ecosystem in detail, offering an in-depth overview of expansion opportunities and the dynamics of foreign markets.
Impact To Business
The stage dedicated to impact business models, which focuses on the inseparable link between profit and sustainability.
Here you will find outstanding case studies and strategies for implementing regenerative models, offering an in-depth overview of positive-impact growth opportunities.
AI Marketing
The stage dedicated to using AI in marketing, focusing on continuous simulations, campaign optimization, and data-driven decision making.
Here you’ll explore practical examples and tools to transform marketing strategies, test concepts in real time, and enhance results.
Mainstage
The Mainstage is the heart of WMF - We Make Future. It is the festival’s primary stage, hosting a dynamic lineup of keynotes, panels, and roundtables focused on future trends, alongside live shows, entertainment, and exclusive product launches. It is a space for deep-seated reflections and interviews on innovative topics with high social impact.
As the symbolic gathering place for the WMF Community, the Mainstage brings together leading global players and experts to explore the frontiers of technology and society. Together, we chart the course toward a better, shared, inclusive, and sustainable future.
The program is currently under development and may be subject to changes and updates.
Tech For Business
The stage dedicated to technological innovation for business, focusing on tools and strategies to grow startups and companies.
Here you’ll explore talks by founders and CEOs, real-world cases, and practical insights to apply technology effectively and strategically.
Digital Strategy
The stage dedicated to innovative digital strategies, focusing on digital media, AI, and new adaptive growth models.
Here you’ll explore insights, case studies, and tools to plan effective campaigns and tackle the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Brand Strategy
The stage dedicated to brands and corporate strategy in the AI era, focusing on AI literacy, the ability to guide intelligent systems, and creating real competitive advantage.
Here you’ll explore practical insights, case studies, and tools to understand how AI can transform brand management and strategic communication.
Future of Work
The stage dedicated to the future of work, focusing on AI, new organizational models, and emerging skills.
Here you’ll explore insights, real-world cases, and strategies to prepare for professional changes and innovate the way we work.
Cybersecurity
The stage dedicated to cybersecurity, focusing on AI to optimize threat modeling and assist security architects in risk analysis.
Here you’ll explore case studies, tools, and strategies to protect complex systems and reduce cognitive load in managing cybersecurity.
Legal Tech
The stage dedicated to legal innovation, focusing on AI, algorithms, and digital systems applied to law and regulatory compliance.
Here you’ll explore case studies, best practices, and insights to understand how technologies are transforming the legal sector and supporting businesses and professionals.
Search & AI
The stage dedicated to the evolution of search in the AI era, where SEO, new answer engines, and digital visibility converge.
Here you’ll explore strategies, case studies, and tools to optimize your online presence across traditional search and AI-driven systems.
Powered by
Book Presentation
In this stage, visionary authors will present their books on digital and social innovation and the future of marketing. A unique opportunity to discover new ideas and perspectives through stimulating dialogues and in-depth discussions on cutting-edge topics.
The goal: to inspire reflection and personal growth by exploring the narratives that will shape the future.
Music & Art
The stage dedicated to the future of music and art, focusing on AI, creativity, and innovations in festivals and live performances.
Here you’ll explore AI tools for music, artist promotion, and event management, along with insights to discover new artistic expressions.
Agentic AI
The stage dedicated to Agentic AI and Agentic Experience Architectures, focusing on context-aware, adaptive intelligent systems that go beyond single-task automation.
Here you’ll explore examples and concepts on structuring autonomous AI flows for complex, personalized user experiences.
Non-Profit
The stage dedicated to technology for the non-profit sector, focusing on digital tools, VR, and video games to enhance social impact and resilience.
Here you’ll explore practical examples and innovative projects to support education, inclusion, and social action through technology.
Fintech & Digital Assets
The stage dedicated to the future of finance and fintech, focusing on AI, payment innovations, and new business models.
Here you’ll explore insights and perspectives on how technology is transforming the financial sector and the emerging opportunities for companies and startups.
Innovation Film Fest
The stage dedicated to innovative cinema and audiovisual content, focusing on digital storytelling, emerging technologies, and narratives exploring the future.
Here you’ll explore screenings, case studies, and discussions with directors and creatives to discover new forms of cinema and media.
Digital Health
The stage, in partnership with FONDAZIONE GIMBE, dedicated to digital innovation in healthcare, focusing on AI, molecular modeling, and tools to improve treatments and hospital processes.
Here you’ll explore expert talks, case studies, and innovative projects to see how technology is transforming health and medicine.
In partnership with
Social Advertising
The stage dedicated to social advertising, focusing on advanced performance measurement, experimentation, and creative optimization across major platforms.
Here you’ll explore real case studies, testing frameworks, and repeatable workflows to improve conversions, ROAS, and campaign impact.
Part of
AI Tourism
The stage dedicated to Artificial Intelligence applied to tourism, focusing on experience personalization, data analysis, and service innovation.
Here you’ll explore case studies, tools, and strategies to transform the travel industry and enhance the traveler experience.
Geopolitics
In an era of global shifts and evolving balances, the Geopolitics Stage provides a compass for navigating international dynamics. This space is dedicated to analyzing global scenarios, new power structures, and the challenges reshaping the boundaries of politics and economics. It is a vital meeting point for understanding the forces governing our present and anticipating the developments of an increasingly interconnected future.
There are no sessions in the selected stage on this day.
Session for 24 june
24 june
Mainstage
Co - Hosting
Veronica Maffei
Journalist
Cosmano Lombardo
Chairman
WMF - We Make Future
Guglielmo Scilla
Content Creator
Alicia Hanf
Head of Institutional Ecosystem Partnerships
LG NOVA - LG Electronics
24 june
09:30 - 10:00
Mainstage
Live Concert!
I Patagarri
24 june
10:00 - 10:15
Mainstage
Opening Ceremony WMF 2026!
Surprise Guest
24 june
10:15 - 10:30
Mainstage
Welcome to WMF 2026!
Cosmano Lombardo
Chairman
WMF - We Make Future
24 june
10:30 - 10:40
Mainstage
Vincenzo Colla
Vicepresidente con delega a Sviluppo economico e green economy, Energia, Formazione professionale, Università e ricerca
Emilia-Romagna Region
24 june
10:30 - 10:45
Startup & VC Plenary
Program Overview
Leonard Burger
Senior Product Marketing Manager
Lenvi
Francesca Rossi
CEO
SirFred
Francesco Cracolici
CEO
Nomadic Minds
Marco Lotito
Innovation Manager | Rete Hubitat
Search On Media Group
24 june
10:40 - 10:50
Mainstage
Lucilla Sioli
Director for "Artificial Intelligence and Digital Industry"
Directorate-General CONNECT, European Commission
24 june
10:50 - 11:00
Mainstage
Francesco Ubertini
President
CINECA
24 june
11:00 - 11:20
Startup & VC Plenary
Defining "What Matters" in the Age of Generative AI and Geopolitical Competition
An examination of the American innovation ecosystem's power—driven by venture capital, leading research institutions, and a culture of disruption. This roundtable will address the vulnerabilities related to regulatory uncertainty, talent competition, and the ethical responsibilities of building world-changing technologies like Generative AI.
Alicia Hanf
Head of Institutional Ecosystem Partnerships
LG NOVA - LG Electronics
Dan Radomski
Director
Centrepolis Accelerator
Angelo Del Priore
Partner
HP
24 june
11:00 - 11:20
Mainstage
Alberto Sangiovanni Vincentelli
Professor of EECS
University of California, Berkeley
24 june
11:20 - 11:40
Startup & VC Plenary
Building What Matters in India’s Digital Decade
Exploring the unique strengths of India's innovators, from its massive talent pool and digital public infrastructure (like Aadhaar and UPI) to the challenge of scaling social impact and bridging the rural-urban technology gap. Discussing how Indian startups are defining 'what matters' for a rapidly evolving, globally significant market.
Ramanan Ramanathan
Board Member and Advisor
Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India
Anagh Singh
Founding Member
MountTech Growth Fund
Manu Iyer
General Partner
Blue Hill Capital
Anjali Ajaikumar
Executive Director
HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd.
Sanjeev Gupta
CEO
Karnataka Digitial Economy Mission
Ashutosh Kumar
General Partner & CEO
Expertdojo
24 june
11:20 - 11:35
Mainstage
Surprise Guest
24 june
11:30 - 11:50
Start the Future
Between action and word: working with Doctors Without Borders – from Gaza to the world
In humanitarian emergencies, you quickly learn that treating wounds is not enough. There are places — Gaza, Afghanistan, Congo — where the loss of human life fails to make the news, or is told through a filtered, dehumanizing lens. Yet, in these places, words can become an extension of the hands that heal: they can shake consciences, pierce the wall of indifference, and remind the world that silence is complicity. Being a humanitarian worker today means coupling the word of advocacy with medical action. But speaking out is not simple. It requires rigor and institutional courage, not just individual bravery. And it requires people willing to listen, even when what is being said is uncomfortable.
Martina Marchiò
Humanitarian Worker
Medici Senza Frontiere
24 june
11:35 - 11:45
Mainstage
Dell Technologies
24 june
11:40 - 12:00
Startup & VC Plenary
South Korea and Japan on the Cutting Edge of Hardware and Digital Life
A joint perspective from two economic powerhouses, Japan and South Korea. This roundtable will contrast their innovation styles—Japan's focus on robotics and precision engineering versus South Korea's rapid-fire digital consumer tech—to understand their collective strengths and the common challenge of navigating rapid demographic change.
Javier Mata
Head of Ecosystem & Learning
Fujitsu Launchpad
Jerem Kai Proctor
VC
Headline Venture Capital
Konno Shinichiro
Corporate Venture Capitalist
SEKISUI Chemical
Ryan Jung
General Manager
FIDA
EUN HWAN LIM
Global Education Committee
K-Webtoon Masters Academy (KWMA)
Chikeun Lee
Managing Director
Partners Investment, inc
24 june
11:45 - 12:00
Mainstage
Cecilia Sala
Journalist
Chora News
24 june
11:50 - 12:10
Start the Future
Building Revenue Engines for Impact: from Mission to Measurable Growth
Mission-driven organizations rarely fail for a lack of vision. They fail for a lack of structure in growth. After more than 15 years between international corporates and non-profits, building teams that have generated millions of euros for environmental and social projects, I have learned that impact is not scaled with enthusiasm, but with architecture: clear objectives, defined roles, sales and fundraising systems, strategic partnerships, and results-oriented leadership. In this session, I will share the practical framework I use to transform mission into sustainable growth, without compromising identity and credibility. We will talk about revenue engines, corporate partnerships, team organization, and the main mistakes that block impact-driven entities when they try to grow. This is not a motivational talk. It is an operational method for those who truly want to scale.
Susanna Finardi
Head of Corporate Partnerships | Executive Growth Advisor
Oxfam
24 june
12:00 - 12:20
Startup & VC Plenary
London’s Fintech and AI Bridge: Innovating in a Post-Brexit Global Context
An exploration of the UK's position as a global finance and AI leader. Speakers will analyze the competitive edge of its regulatory sandboxes and academic excellence, while addressing the weaknesses of attracting and retaining global talent and the strategic need to define its independent innovation pathway.
Thomas-Cotter Huw
Head of Growth & Partnerships
Rainmaking
Min Boghaita
Chief Scouting Officer
Nobody studio
Kaan Akın
Managing Partner - COO
Tenity
Antonio Baccari
Partner & CFO
Feel Venture VC London
24 june
12:00 - 12:10
Mainstage
Randa Ghazy
Journalist, Author & Media Specialist
24 june
12:10 - 12:25
Mainstage
Surprise Guest
24 june
12:20 - 12:40
Start the Future
AI: Scaling from (linguistic) models to (economic) markets
The real challenge for businesses in the future will be to shift from model training to market design, from focusing on the engineering and "agency" capabilities of the linguistic model itself to the organizational complexity of the "instituting" assembly that instantiates and enhances it. This shift from "models" to "markets," however, will require a cultural and strategic innovation effort, a radical shift in the paradigms of value co-creation between automation, amplification, and coordination.
Cosimo Accoto
Research Affiliate | Adjunct Professor | AI Advisor
MIT | UNIMORE | POLLICINO AIDVISORY
24 june
12:25 - 12:30
Mainstage
Closing Session 1!
Day 1
24 june
12:40 - 13:10
Start the Future
Federico Cabitza
Associated Professor & Co-Founder
Università Milano-Bicocca & RedOpen SRL
24 june
14:20 - 14:40
Start the Future
The synthetic truth: trust, deepfakes, and the future of information in the age of AI
Deepfakes are redefining the boundary between what is real and what is false. Through a study on users’ reactions to AI-generated content distributed by sources perceived as trustworthy, we will explore how trust is built in the age of synthetic media. Even when flagged, deepfakes are often misunderstood or ignored, amid polarized emotions and limited critical awareness. What happens to truth when everything can be generated?
Elvis Tusha
Senior AI Consultant & Divulgatore
PwC Italy
24 june
14:30 - 14:50
Startup & VC Plenary
Albania: The Adriatic Gateway to Digital Transformation in the Western Balkans
A dedicated discussion on Albania's emerging innovation landscape. The focus is on leveraging a young, digitally-savvy population and strategic geographic location, while addressing the need to strengthen institutional support and attract foreign direct investment to define "what matters" for sustainable national growth.
Dritan Delija
CEO
TEDA Tirane
Mima Ravik
CEO
Keiretsu Forum Southeast Europe
Ermelinda Hajdari
Founder & Managing Director
ALBAN Global Network
24 june
14:50 - 15:10
Startup & VC Plenary
Mittelstand Meets Deep Tech: The Future of Innovation in German Engineering
Focusing on Germany's strength in 'Mittelstand' (small/mid-sized industrial leaders) and its push into deep tech, especially in Industry 4.0 and green energy. Speakers will discuss the challenges of bureaucratic hurdles, the need for faster digital transformation, and how to define 'what matters' for a sustainable, industrial future.
Benjamin Scheidt
Partner
Redstone VC
Daniel Ignatenko
Sales / Marketing / Event Manager VC Magazin & StartingUp
Venture Capital Magazine
Nikolaus Deutsch
Angel Investor and General Partner at angelize
Angelize
Anvar Asanov
Advisor
Davidson
Jonathan Eade
Venture Partner | Early Stage & Impact VC Investing
Sansar Ventures
Florin Catalin Chici
Managing Partner
Silicon Allee
24 june
15:10 - 15:30
Start the Future
Siyabulela Mandela
Founder
Mandela & Associates Consulting
24 june
15:10 - 15:30
Startup & VC Plenary
Swiss Tech Excellence: Balancing Innovation with Stability in the Heart of Europe
An in-depth look at Switzerland's unique innovation model, characterized by high-value deep tech, world-class research institutions, and a stable regulatory environment. This roundtable addresses the challenges of high costs, the competition for specialized talent, and the ethical role of financial and biotech innovation.
Fulvio Maccarone
CEO and VC
EQNEXT
Alberto Giovanni Busetto
Managing Partner
On Venture Studio
Edoardo Gabbianelli
Senior Consultant
EY-Parthenon
Alessandro Dini
Founding Partner
Elevate Momentum Partners
24 june
15:30 - 15:50
Startup & VC Plenary
Central Europe’s Tech Frontier: Building Resilience and Innovation from Poland
Highlighting Poland's role as a growing tech hub in Central and Eastern Europe. The discussion will cover the competitive advantages of a skilled, cost-effective talent pool and strong ties to the EU market, alongside the geopolitical risks and the imperative to build resilient, sovereign digital solutions.
Aleksander Potocki
COO
AIP Seed VC
Aleksander Klosek
Managing Partner, Member of the Board
YouNick Mint VC
Tomasz Kościelniak
Investment Associate
SMOK Ventures
Maciej Kraus
Managing Partner
Movens Capital
24 june
15:30 - 15:50
Start the Future
Pegah Moshir Pour
Activist & Writer
24 june
16:00 - 16:30
Mainstage
Live Show!
Surprise Guest
24 june
16:30 - 16:35
Mainstage
Opening Session 2!
Day 1
24 june
16:35 - 16:45
Mainstage
Arthur Gebhardt
Senior Manager Business Development & New Technologies
GETEC PARK.SWISS
24 june
16:45 - 16:55
Mainstage
Al Jazeera
24 june
16:55 - 17:05
Mainstage
A. Burak Dağlıoğlu
President
Investment and Finance Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye
24 june
17:05 - 17:15
Mainstage
Trade Republic
24 june
17:15 - 17:25
Mainstage
Manuel Catalano
Head of the NuBots Research Unit, Physical AI Technologies for Human-Robot Co-Evolution
IIT
24 june
17:25 - 17:35
Mainstage
Klarna
24 june
17:35 - 17:50
Mainstage
Pierluca Mariti
Comico
24 june
17:50 - 18:00
Mainstage
Fabio Zaffagnini
Founder
Rockin'1000
24 june
18:00 - 18:10
Mainstage
Surprise Guest
24 june
18:10 - 18:30
Mainstage
Corrado Formigli
Journalist
La7
24 june
18:30 - 18:35
Mainstage
Closing Day 1!
Day 1
24 june
Start the Future
Program in progress!
New Speakers Coming Soon
24 june
Startup & VC Plenary
Program in progress!
New Speakers Coming Soon
Session for 25 june
25 june
Mainstage
Co - Hosting
Cosmano Lombardo
Chairman
WMF - We Make Future
Veronica Maffei
Journalist
Tiarne Hawkins
AI Leader & Host
You & AI - Stealth Mode
25 june
Open Innovation & International Ecosystem
Jurors
Ramanan Ramanathan
Board Member and Advisor
Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India
Anagh Singh
Founding Member
MountTech Growth Fund
Manu Iyer
General Partner
Blue Hill Capital
Ryan Jung
General Manager
FIDA
Jonathan Speed
Coach and Chair of the Alchemist Alccelerator Memphis Hub Advisory Board
Alchemist Accelerator
Angelo Del Priore
Partner
HP
Dan Radomski
Director
Centrepolis Accelerator
Denis Hristov
Head of Business Analytics
Fund of Funds in Bulgaria
Todor Mladenov
CEO
Sofia Tech Park
Max Gurvits
Partner
Vitosha Venture
Tomasz Poninski
Managing Partner
Montis Capital
Gabriele Ronchini
CEO
Zest Group
Ivan Cazzol
Partners Growth Lead
Zest Group
Giulio Montoli
Chief Investment Officer
Zest Group
Massimo Calzoni
Promotion Manager, Support Services and Coordinator of the Invitalia Startup System
INVITALIA
Mattia Lecchi
Business Development Manager
RS Productions
Federico Davini
Investment Board
A11 Venture
Daniele Alberti
Founder and President
Starboost
Luca Ruggeri
Consigliere di Amministrazione
Associazione Roma Startup
Angelo Morini
Angel Investor
IAG
Angelo Morini
Angel Investor
IAG
Andrea Conti
Ecosystem Lead South Europe - Italy
28 Digital
Alessandro Tavecchio
Partner
P101
Sandro Moretti
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Blacksheep
Elisabetta Bracci
Manager
Service Innovation Clust-ER
Matteo Consonni
Head of Investments & Portfolio Managers
EIT Urban Mobility
Ivan Maltsev
Partner
3x Capital
Tiarne Hawkins
AI Leader & Host
You & AI - Stealth Mode
Anastasios Avranas
Founder and Director
Interfima
Cristian Frigo
Ecosystem Lead Southern Europe
28 DIGITAL
Giancarlo Vergine
Founder & Managing Partner
OverVentures
Daniele Maria Luridiana
Business Development Europe
Kruncher
Ilaria Navoni
Startup Program Manager
OVHcloud
Andrea Basso
Managing Director
MITO Tech Ventures
Francesca Badiali
Senior Ventures Associate
Plug and Play Tech Center
Irene Mingozzi
Partner
Italian Founders Fund
Ivan Cazzol
Partners Growth Lead
Zest Group
Giulio Montoli
Chief Investment Officer
Zest Group
25 june
Open Innovation & International Ecosystem
Startup
Emanuele Chiusaroli
CEO
Handy Signs
Antonella Rondinone
Strategic Lead
ReQurv
Luigi Goulianos
Founder & CEO
Doitforme.eu
Stefano Melchior
CEO & Founder
BeChained
Gianluca Di Francesco
Founder & CEO
Opseed
Federico Girelli
CEO & Founder
Cora Hospitality
Jonjan Hoxha
CEO & Founder
Astreo
Kamila Zahradnickova
Founder & CEO
Lakmoos AI
Alfredo de Candia
CTO
TrustWatch
Chiara Montaldi
Founder & CEO
Working Mom
Arnab Datta
CEO & Founder
EngloVoice
Ashish Sonkusare
CEO & Co-Founder
eVerse.AI
Ehab Gamal Ibrahim Aboutaleb
Founder & CEO
DoctorVoice
Simplice Zambo-Bedos
Founder & CEO
TOUAWEN
Federico Bottaro
Weather AI Developer
Hypermeteo
Ahmed Fathy Mohamed Soliman
CEO
isharty
Sebastiano Andreis
CEO
Navisio AI
Anders Hammarback
CEO
Redpine AI
Hassan Al-Shama
Co-Founder and CEO
SupraOS
Marco Signorelli
CEO
Ginga
Alberto Ronco
CEO
Trainect
Giorgio Muchacho
Chief of Sales
Meddle
Sano Musab Hijazi
CEO & Founder
Prodigy Products
25 june
09:45 - 10:15
Mainstage
Live Concert!
N.A.I.P - nessun artista in particolare
25 june
10:15 - 10:25
Mainstage
Opening Ceremony - Day 2!
Surprise Guest
25 june
10:25 - 10:40
Mainstage
NVIDIA
25 june
10:40 - 11:00
Mainstage
Mathew Knowles
Founder & CEO, Strategic Consultant, Keynote Speaker, and Corporate Trainer
Music World Entertainment (MWE)
25 june
11:00 - 11:15
Mainstage
Brunello Cucinelli
Founder & Chief Executive
Brunello Cucinelli
25 june
11:00 - 11:20
Startup & VC Plenary
North-South Tech Corridors: Scaling Innovation between Canada and Brazil
An exploration of the tech and market synergies between Canada and Brazil. This panel will compare the venture capital landscapes, talent pools, and regulatory environments, focusing on opportunities for cross-continental scaling and how these two major economies are defining 'what matters' for the Americas.
Julian Lucchesi
Senior Director, Programs and Global Operations
Centech
Sam Ramadori
Director - Strategic Partnerships and Open Innovation
LawZero
Fabiano Lazzari
Director
TOTVS
Marcos Mueller
CEO
Darwin Startups
25 june
11:10 - 11:20
Startup & VC Plenary
Title Coming Soon
Gabriele Ronchini
CEO
Zest Group
Ivan Cazzol
Partners Growth Lead
Zest Group
Giulio Montoli
Chief Investment Officer
Zest Group
25 june
11:15 - 11:25
Mainstage
Maurizio Carta
Professor
Università di Palermo
25 june
11:20 - 11:40
Startup & VC Plenary
The European Tech Mosaic: Blending Central & Western Innovation
Bringing together perspectives from the burgeoning tech scenes of Bulgaria and Croatia with the established financial and innovation hub of Belgium. The discussion will cover how CEE's cost-efficiency and talent can interface with Western Europe's stability and market access to build resilient, pan-European ventures.
Max Gurvits
Partner
Vitosha Venture
Todor Mladenov
CEO
Sofia Tech Park
Frane Sesnic
Director of ZICER
Anastasios Avranas
Founder and Director
Interfima
25 june
11:25 - 11:35
Mainstage
Ayumi Moore Aoki
Founder & CEO
Women in Tech® Global
25 june
11:30 - 12:10
Start the Future
Responsible, Inclusive, Viable: Rethinking AI for a Sustainable Future
The current trajectory of AI is increasingly unsustainable -- the growing computational demands of AI systems carry significant environmental impacts, the deployment of AI can reinforce and amplify existing inequities, and the escalating costs of developing and maintaining large-scale AI models raise concerns about long-term viability and equitable access. Together, these challenges suggest the need to rethink how we design, build, and deploy AI systems—prioritizing broader sustainability considerations to ensure that future AI innovation is responsible, inclusive, and viable over the long term.
Sasha Luccioni
AI and Climate Researcher
25 june
11:35 - 11:50
Mainstage
Filippo Caccamo
Comedian & Content Creator
Chimera Agency
25 june
11:40 - 12:00
Startup & VC Plenary
Capital and Vision: The Geopolitical Mandate for Tech in the Gulf
A deep dive into the state-led digital transformation agendas of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. This panel will examine how massive sovereign wealth funds and national visions are driving investments in AI, smart cities, and deep tech, and the geopolitical implications of building local technological sovereignty.
Aymen Adam Mohib
Chief Cluster Development & Incentives
Invest Qatar
Hamza Ikram
Co Founder & COO (Board Member)
Cotyledon
Adel Bin Muhammad
Founder/VP
Quantum Communication Technology Company
Yousif Al Harbi
CEO
Sniper
25 june
11:50 - 12:00
Mainstage
Aprajita Jain
Chief Brand
Google
25 june
11:50 - 12:10
Entrepreneurship
The financial statement is a dinosaur: the AI enterprise that measures itself in real time.
The annual financial statement is a twentieth-century industrial model. SMEs make decisions based on delayed and fragmented data. In the age of AI, this paradigm is obsolete. The Sempi® Method introduces a different architecture: accounting automation, a 0-100 Governance Score, and a continuous compliance dashboard. The enterprise does not merely record the past; it measures its own solidity in real time and anticipates risks and opportunities.
Liana Gabriela Rotariu
Founder & CEO
Sempi
25 june
12:00 - 12:10
Mainstage
Orazio Schillaci
Ministro della Salute della Repubblica Italiana
Ministero della Salute
25 june
12:00 - 12:20
Startup & VC Plenary
Leapfrogging Development: Digital Solutions and Social Impact in East Africa
Focusing on the foundational digital needs and mobile-first innovation in Ethiopia and Uganda. The discussion highlights the strengths of local entrepreneurship in financial inclusion and essential services, and the challenges of limited infrastructure and the need for scalable, needs-based technology.
Elias Yirdaw
CEO
FARIS Technologies
Tomusange Brian
CEO
HIVE COLAB
Sharon Tumushabe
CEO
Legacy Hills Investments
25 june
12:10 - 12:25
Mainstage
Surprise Guest
25 june
12:20 - 12:40
Start the Future
For us, by us: how no-code tools are empowering activism
I'll share how non-profit and grassroots organizers are using no-code tools to build powerful digital infrastructure for their movements. Drawing from my experience in digital organizing and no-code development, I'll show how these accessible technologies are revolutionizing activism by putting technical power directly in people’s hands. Through real-world examples and practical insights, I'll show how no-code solutions are helping build more sustainable and independent movements.
Alix Heuer
No-Code Strategist for Social Movements
Agence Rouge Le Fil
25 june
12:20 - 12:40
Startup & VC Plenary
International scaling of mobility startups: bridging Italy and Europe
The roundtable will address the specific struggles of mobility startups (including policies, investments, network connections), and how these startups have dealt with them, working towards a better-connected Europe and more liveable cities
Matteo Consonni
Head of Investments & Portfolio Managers
EIT Urban Mobility
25 june
12:25 - 12:30
Mainstage
Closing Session 1!
Day 2
25 june
12:40 - 13:00
Start the Future
Luisa Rizzo
Drone Racing Pilot
25 june
14:20 - 14:40
Entrepreneurship
The future of work: streamlining the nexus between job seekers and talent recruiters.
Workface stems from a real-world problem: today, thousands of Italian SMEs struggle to find operational personnel. Restaurants, cleaning companies, workshops, and construction sites lose time, opportunities, and growth because recruiting is slow and ineffective. As an entrepreneur, I have experienced this frustration firsthand. For this reason, I created Workface: an app that, through a matching algorithm and geolocation, connects job seekers and employers simply and swiftly.
Serena Murante
Founder
Workface srl
Alessia D'Agostino
Co-Founder
Workface srl
25 june
14:30 - 17:00
Startup & VC Plenary
Italian Tech Nation
A strategic panel dedicated to outlining the roadmap for Italy's technological future. The focus is on leveraging Italy's excellences to build a globally competitive tech ecosystem and define 'what matters' for national digital sovereignty and economic growth.
Francesco Cerruti
General Director
Italian Tech Alliance
Giorgio Ciron
Director
InnovUp
Gabriele Ronchini
CEO
Zest Group
Giovanni Strocchi
Venture Partner
Techshop
Gianluca Galgano
Head of Venture Capital and Startup
EY Italia
Gianmarco Carnovale
CEO & President
Scuter & Roma Startup
Giovanni Zazzerini
Secretary General
INSME
Massimo Calzoni
Promotion Manager, Support Services and Coordinator of the Invitalia Startup System
INVITALIA
25 june
14:40 - 15:00
Entrepreneurship
"Trust is the Only Data Point We’re Missing": Choosing in the AI Era
In a fast-paced job market driven by AI and data, companies and candidates face the same paradox: making a choice has become more complex. More information and automation don't reduce uncertainty; they multiply options. Hiring or changing jobs isn't easier, just faster. In this scenario, the real differentiator remains trust: in reading the context, in assessment, and in decisions—all of which remain profoundly human.
Alberto Gioia
Director – Technology Practice
WeHunt /W-Executive
Olimpia Ricci
Senior Consultant – IT & Digital
WeHunt /W-Executive
25 june
15:10 - 15:30
Entrepreneurship
Stop chasing AI Models. Why the real game is Governance, Data, and Independence.
Every month a new model is released, and companies start from scratch: new contracts, new training, new risks. But the right question isn't "which model should we use?" — it's "how do I stop depending on any of them?" In this talk, we’ll explore why the future of enterprise AI is multi-model and on-premises, why your internal Knowledge Base is your true competitive advantage, and how ClosyTalk tackles this challenge with an architecture that decouples intelligence from the infrastructure it runs on.
Andrea Virgilio
Founder & CEO
ClosyTalk
25 june
15:10 - 15:50
Start the Future
Gianmario Verona
Full Professor of Innovation Management
Bocconi University
Daniele Manca
Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Corriere Della Sera
25 june
15:30 - 15:50
Entrepreneurship
The Future of Entrepreneurship: Trust, Learning, and Distribution in the AI Era
Creating products is increasingly accessible, yet building enduring companies has become more arduous. In 2026, three variables are shifting: speed, competition, and replicability. This presentation translates the future of entrepreneurship into a practical playbook based on three key currencies: rapid market learning, trust (privacy, security, transparency), and distribution. Featuring concrete examples and actionable steps applicable immediately.
Imre Guaglianone
CEO & Founder
Fred The User Research Shepherd
25 june
16:00 - 16:20
Entrepreneurship
Hacking for better: how automation changes the game against cyber-crime
In a landscape of diverse industry players, we demonstrate how our EVA and CRI software leverage automation and AI to level the playing field against cyber-crime. CyLock presents an innovative approach to cybersecurity, capable of identifying vulnerabilities and measuring risk in a continuous and scalable manner through advanced testing and intelligent analysis. We bring concrete, operational evidence to the stage.
Diego Padovan
CEO
CyLock S.r.l.
25 june
16:00 - 16:30
Mainstage
Live Show!
Surprise Guest
25 june
16:30 - 16:35
Mainstage
Opening Session 2!
Day 2
25 june
16:35 - 16:45
Mainstage
Giuseppe Lombardo
Deputy Public Prosecutor
Court of Reggio Calabria
25 june
16:45 - 17:05
Mainstage
Enrico Mentana
Journalist & Director
La7
25 june
17:05 - 17:15
Mainstage
Stefano Onofri
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
Cubbit
25 june
17:15 - 17:55
Mainstage
Startup Competition - The Final
The Final of the largest International Startup Competition
25 june
17:55 - 18:15
Mainstage
The New Innovation Thesis: Co-creating the Future of Business
25 june
18:15 - 18:25
Mainstage
Startup Competition Awards Ceremony
The Final of the largest International Startup Competition
25 june
18:25 - 18:30
Mainstage
Closing day 2!
Day 2
25 june
Start the Future
Program in progress!
New Speakers Coming Soon
25 june
Entrepreneurship
Program in progress!
New Speakers Coming Soon
25 june
Startup & VC Plenary
Program in progress!
New Speakers Coming Soon
Session for 26 june
26 june
Mainstage
Co - Hosting
Veronica Maffei
Journalist
Cosmano Lombardo
Chairman
WMF - We Make Future
Gabriele Vagnato
Host, Comedian & Content Creator
26 june
Open Innovation & International Ecosystem
Jurors
Thomas-Cotter Huw
Head of Growth & Partnerships
Rainmaking
Min Boghaita
Chief Scouting Officer
Nobody studio
Eda Taskin
Business Development Manager
Tenity
Madéleine Pilstrand
CEO
Create Business Incubator
Anvar Asanov
Advisor
Davidson
Florin Catalin
Operations Director
Silicon Allee
Jonathan Eade
Venture Partner | Early Stage & Impact VC Investing
Sansar Ventures
Fulvio Maccarone
CEO and VC
EQNEXT
Davide Delfrate
Business Developer
EIT Manufaturing
Piero Ingrosso
AlmaVicoo
Enrico Cereda
IBM Italia
Tiberiu Iacomi
Business Mentor
Endeavor Romania
Federico Menna
CEO
EIT Digital
Taylor McPartland
CEO
ScaleHealth
Nasser bin Saeed Al-Hajri
Memeber & Chairman of the Board of Directors
Saudi International Council for Business and Investment
Augusto Coppola
Managing Partner
Cloud Accelerator
Gianluca Cristallo
Innovation Manager
Gruppo Camst
Gabriele Gandolfi
Manager
Deloitte Consulting
Lorenzo Zatini
Ecosystem Marketing Manager
Qonto
Stefano Orani
Managing Director of Applied AI
BOI (Board of Innovation)
Peter Kruger
Founder and Chairman
Big Idea Ventures
Paolo Tacconi
Producer, entrepreneur, founder
AIgeist.ai, Finambolic.com & Valuelead.com
Roberto Beragnoli
AI & Tech Expert
Mamazen
Alessandro Mina
Co-founder
Mamazen
Sasha Komarevych
Acceleration Program Manager
Bocconi For Innovation
Lorenzo Cordin
Head of Digital & Open Innovation - Chief Innovation Officer Area
UnipolSai Assicurazioni
Alessandro Annovi
Partner & CEO
Space for Imagination
Fabio Boiani
Segretario Generale
Fondazione COTEC
Alessandro Dini
Founding Partner
Elevate Momentum Partners
Massimo Canducci
Innovation and Strategy Director
Spindox
Marco D'Angelo
CEO
Beeco
Paolo Licata
CEO
Clover Venture
Marco Rizzelli
Chief Investment Officer & Portfolio Manager
Nova Ventures
Marta Carboni
Head of Innovation & Business Development
IFAB
David Pagnini
Investment Director and Portfolio Manager
TIM Ventures
Federico Moro
Head of Venture Studio
e-Novia
Emilio Tropea
Global Open Innovation and Venture Manager
CRIF
Mara Guzzetti
Head of Business Development Mutli-Client Sites
GETEC Switzerland
Ottavio Maria Campigli
Senior Equity Partner & Founder
W Executive
Giovanni Righi
Coordinatore e Rapporti con le imprese
San Marino Innovation
Alessandro Basile
Managing Partner
AB Innovation Consulting
Paola Zaccheroni
Public affairs manager
Autopromotec
Jacopo Naidi
Senior Pj Manager
INNOVIT
Lorenzo Antonini
Account Manager - Startups
Amazon Web Services
Giacomo Bizzarri
CIO
The Hive
Andrea Parmeggiani
Direttore
Fondazione REI
Ivan Tizzanini
Tech & Innovation Lawyer
Ivan Tizzanini Law Firm
Massimo Ciaglia
CEO & Senior Advisor
Grownnectia
Loris Lanzellotti
Founder & CEO
Entrepreniston
Matteo Cavagnis
Managing Director
Idea Cinquanta
Maren Frey
CEO
PAWAO Capital
Stefano Gallinaro
Business Development & Innovation Manager
EIT Manufacturing
Christian Clarizio
Head of Open Innovation Center Biella
Sellalab
Lorenzo Ferrara
Founder & CEO
Open Seed
Luca Toma
Startup Business Consultant and Acceleration Programs PM
I3P
Luca Iaia
Marketing Manager
CNA - National Confederation of Craft and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Alessandro Immobile
CEO
Imment
Pietro Catello
Board Member
Associazione Startup Turismo
Andrea Di Benedetto
Presidente & Amministratore Delegato
Polo Tecnologico Navacchio
Andrea Solimene
Co-founder & CEO
Seedble
Andrea Beretta
Startup Relations & Investment Manager
Cariplo Factory
Selvaggia Fagioli
Project Management Officer
TechBricks srl
Giannandrea Giammanco
CEO & Founder
FVTURA
Salvatore Viola
Founder & Business Development Manager
Dynamo Lab
Sebastian Caputo
Co-Founder, Project Manager, CEO
012 Factory
Andrea Dal Piaz
CEO
Unfold Tomorrow
Pasquale Brancaccio
Innovation Manager
INHUSE - Innovation Hub South Europe
Denis Jaromil Roio
Founder & Director
Dyne.org
Lara Auguin
Program manager
Impact Deal
Lorenzo Padella
Investment Associate
Azimut Libera Impresa SGR SpA
Luigi Montemurro
AI Innovation Manager
Guanxi
26 june
09:40 - 09:50
Impact To Business
Carla Bertuzzi
Head of Sellalab Torino
Gruppo Sella
26 june
10:00 - 10:40
Mainstage
Urban Impression Live Concert
Dardust
Producer & Artist
26 june
10:40 - 10:50
Mainstage
Opening Ceremony - Day 3!
Surprise Guest
26 june
10:50 - 11:00
Mainstage
European Space Agency - ESA
26 june
11:00 - 11:10
Mainstage
Veronica La Regina
Space Mentor
26 june
11:00 - 11:30
Impact To Business
Innovation we like
In this roundtable discussion, we will explore how organizations can move away from cutthroat competition to embrace empathetic coopetition. This approach transforms competitors into strategic partners working toward shared goals, enabling them to tackle systemic challenges—such as narrowing the gender gap or advancing the ecological transition—that no single actor can resolve on its own. It is an innovation that prioritizes human synergy as an alternative to aggressive “disruption.”
Vittoria Sanpietro
Responsabile Innovazione e Startup
Emilbanca
Irene Mingozzi
Partner
Italian Founders Fund
Carla Bertuzzi
Head of Sellalab Torino
Gruppo Sella
26 june
11:10 - 11:20
Mainstage
Michiel Scheffer
President of the Board
European Innovation Council | European Commission
26 june
11:20 - 11:35
Mainstage
Bryan Madden
Global Head of Developer, Sovereign AI & Physical AI Marketing
AMD
26 june
11:30 - 11:40
Impact To Business
Giovanni Zazzerini
Secretary General
INSME
26 june
11:30 - 11:50
Entrepreneurship
Easy subsidized finance with AI
How Fundo.one simplifies access to funding for SMEs with its agentic artificial intelligence. Discover how to automate the search for funding calls, improve matching with the most relevant opportunities, and efficiently manage both applications and reporting—for your SME and your network. More and more players are choosing fundo.one as a competitive advantage tool, both for their corporate finance and as a commercial leverage solution.
Andrea Giustina
CEO & Co-Founder
Fundo.one
26 june
11:30 - 12:00
Impact To Business
Longevity Economy: Social and Digital Innovation for an Actively Aging Italy
The increase in life expectancy represents one of the most significant transformations of our time and opens up an extraordinary economic and social opportunity: the Longevity Economy. By 2050, people over 65 will account for one-third of the world’s population; in Italy, one of the countries with the highest life expectancy in the world, as early as 2030, one in three citizens will be over 65. This transition requires a profound rethinking of models of welfare, work, consumption, and participation, not least because, for the first time in history, five generations with different needs and work styles will coexist, making equity the central challenge.
Alberto Giusti
Co-founder & General Partner
P3 Ventures
Floriano Bonfigli
Next Age Acceleration Program Coordinator
AC75 Startup Accelerator
26 june
11:35 - 11:45
Mainstage
Daniele Pucci
CEO
Generative Bionics
26 june
11:45 - 12:05
Mainstage
Humanoid Robotics & Physical AI
Daniele Pucci
CEO
Generative Bionics
Bryan Madden
Global Head of Developer, Sovereign AI & Physical AI Marketing
AMD
Claudio Cisilino
EVP Operations, Corporate Strategy and Innovation
Fincantieri
26 june
11:50 - 12:10
Entrepreneurship
AI as a super HR: reducing friction, boosting performance
We offer training, benefits, smart working, and better environments. Yet, it’s never enough. An organization simply cannot truly understand everyone’s individual needs, but it should. Satisfied people perform better, frustrated ones slow everything down. With Hvalues, we’ve built a rapid assessment system and an 'AI Super HR' that listens, advises, and acts, proposing targeted solutions and improving performance in a continuous, measurable way.
Daniele Salvati
CEO & Founder
Hvalues
26 june
12:00 - 12:20
Impact To Business
"The next capital stack: Why community belongs at the table "
The best European companies aren’t choosing between institutional capital and the crowd, they’re combining both. Three Community Funding protagonists operating in some of Europe’s most strategic verticals share what co-investment with VCs actually looks like from the inside: how community rounds validate markets, de-risk institutional bets, and turn thousands of small investors into the kind of ambassadors no marketing budget can buy. Anchored in data from the European Community Capital Landscape 2025 by Over Ventures, this panel makes the case for a new capital stack, one where democratizing access to venture-grade deals isn’t idealism. It’s just good finance.
Giancarlo Vergine
Founder & Managing Partner
OverVentures
26 june
12:05 - 12:25
Mainstage
Nicola Gratteri
Public Prosecutor
Court of Naples
26 june
12:20 - 12:50
Impact To Business
SportTech and Startups: New Solutions for the Future of Sports
By exploring business ideas, emerging technologies, real-world applications, and market insights, the event will highlight how startups are helping to transform key areas such as performance, fan engagement, sustainability, data analysis, media, and services for clubs, athletes, and organizers, as well as the value of collaboration between universities, businesses, investors, and emerging talent.
Vincenzo Filetti
Partner
Theorema
26 june
12:20 - 13:00
Start the Future
In Praise of (Ab)normality
"You are not normal" is a phrase that almost everyone has heard at least once in their life, and certainly not as a compliment. But is it always true that it’s better to be "normal"? Above all, what does "normal" actually mean, and why is this adjective often used as a sort of club to marginalize those who don't fit certain models?
Vera Gheno
Sociolinguist
26 june
12:25 - 12:30
Mainstage
Closing Session 1!
Day 3
26 june
14:20 - 14:40
Start the Future
Why AI for Product Teams Needs to Be Multiplayer
AI has transformed what one person can do. But building great products has never been a solo sport. In this talk, Dave Ross explores how product teams are adapting — moving from fragmented AI usage to collaborative, agent-powered workflows. Using real examples from Miro, he’ll show how teams are rethinking how they work, build, and learn together. And why, despite all the change, the fundamentals still win: strong culture, good judgement, and the environments that help teams learn faster — from hackathons to Fail Nights, and the informal moments where the best ideas often emerge
Dave Ross
Chief Evangelist
Miro
26 june
14:30 - 15:00
Impact To Business
Coming Soon
Andrea Censoni
Founding Partner & Co-Founder
Kili Ventures
Giulia Marsaglia
Head of Startup Program
Forest Valley Institute
Edoardo Nicolini
Principal
Fondazione Social Venture Giordano Dell'Amore
Stefano Alexander Martini
Senior Project & Deal Flow Manager
LifeGate Way
Leonardo Daniele
Acceleration Program Manager
Impact Deal
26 june
14:40 - 15:00
Start the Future
From HTML to AI: the evolution and strategy of a digital-native compan
A journey through the fundamental milestones of digital business, from the early days of the web to today’s challenges. Massimiliano Valente shares his entrepreneurial journey, analyzing how market dynamics have evolved and the strategies required to stay competitive in a constantly transforming ecosystem. A clear-eyed analysis of what it means to build a business today, balancing long-term vision with the speed of technological adaptation
Massimiliano Valente
CEO
BlazeMedia
26 june
14:40 - 15:00
Entrepreneurship
The quote is in the founder’s head: how AI restores the entrepreneur’s strategic role
Every manufacturing entrepreneur started as their company’s first salesperson. Costs, margins, possible combinations: a wealth of knowledge layered over years, often locked inside their head. As the company grows, the quoting process remains a fragile and slow bottleneck, dependent on just a few people. AI allows this implicit knowledge to be externalized without losing it, giving the entrepreneur back the time and space to return to what they do best: strategic decisions, relationships, and vision.
Amarjot Singh
CEO & Co-founder
Bonobo srl
26 june
15:10 - 15:50
Start the Future
Who am AI? How Artificial Intelligence is redefining the Creative Director's role
Guido Callegari
Senior Art Director & AI Specialist
Michele Cireddu
Creative & Innovation Lead
Leo Italia
Flavia Russo
Local Ambassador & Creative Director
Emilia Romagna ADCI
Manuel Alvaro
Senior Creative & Trainer
26 june
16:00 - 16:20
Mainstage
Live Show!
Surprise Guest
26 june
16:20 - 16:25
Mainstage
Opening Session 2!
Day 3
26 june
16:20 - 16:40
Start the Future
Alec Ross
Distinguished Adjunct Professor
Bologna Business School
26 june
16:25 - 16:35
Mainstage
Google LLC
26 june
16:35 - 16:45
Mainstage
Chris Bangle
Managing Director & Former Design Lead
Chris Bangle Associates & BMW
26 june
16:45 - 16:55
Mainstage
Microsoft
26 june
16:55 - 17:05
Mainstage
Alec Ross
Distinguished Adjunct Professor
Bologna Business School
26 june
17:05 - 17:25
Mainstage
Stefano Massini
Author & Playwright
26 june
17:25 - 17:40
Mainstage
Camihawke
Content Creator
26 june
17:40 - 18:00
Mainstage
Surprise Guest
26 june
18:00 - 18:15
Mainstage
Closing Ceremony WMF 2026!
Surprise Guest
26 june
18:30
Mainstage
Live Concert - Ditonellapiaga
Ditonellapiaga
26 june
Entrepreneurship
Program in progress!
New Speakers Coming Soon
26 june
Start the Future
Program in progress!
New Speakers Coming Soon
26 june
Mainstage
Program in progress!
New Speakers Coming Soon
26 june
Impact To Business
Program in progress!
New Speakers Coming Soon
27 june
Open Innovation & International Ecosystem
Startup
Luigi Perrone
Head of R&D
Cyberating Srl
Carlo Bettini
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Wayla
Margherita Moro
Marketing Manager
Linknovate
Safaa Abou Helou and Doaa Al Balawi
GrowApp
Alessandra Pennuto
COO
smartFAB
Luigi Francesco Cerfeda
Sales Director
Zerynth
Jean-Sébastien Moulet
CEO
Wormsensing
Riccardo Chebac
CEO
GraphiCore
Fabian Curzio
CEO
Eldes
Muhammad Agung Saputra
CEO & Founder
Surplus Indonesia
Tomislav Lang
Founder
Flyvini
Cristina Di Carlo
CEO & Founder
CDC Studio
Are you the founder of a startup?
Discover how to give your project a boost
Through a series of business-focused activities designed to support the founders of the most innovative projects in accelerating development and growth
Startup District
The WMF exhibition area entirely dedicated to startups, designed to enable meetings, exchanges, and collaborations. Here you can exhibit your products or services, organize appointments, get feedback, and connect with other industry experts.
At WMF you can schedule meetings with potential clients, international investors, and Open Innovation stakeholders. A unique opportunity to present your idea to those who can help it take off. In the last edition, over 3,000 startups, investors, incubators, VCs, Business Angels, corporations, and international accelerators attended.
Get ready to experience the excitement of the most coveted startup competition: the top 6 startups will compete to win the audience and jury awards and the attention of investors, during the Final scheduled for June 2026 on the Mainstage.
The call will open soon, for more information fill out the form
The competition entirely dedicated to AI applications in various sectors and industries that define the present and Future of Artificial Intelligence. The best entrepreneurial projects will be selected, capable of generating a positive impact on society through the use of AI.
The call will open soon, for more information fill out the form
A competition dedicated to startups aiming to produce a positive impact on the 12 Challenges of the Future identified by WMF. You will have the opportunity to show the Mainstage audience how innovative solutions can contribute to changing the world we will live in.
The call will open soon, for more information fill out the form
The initiative that brings to the WMF Mainstage innovative projects that have successfully scaled their target markets. A premier opportunity to pitch to an audience of industry experts, international investors, and VCs, aimed at further expanding your market reach.
Per chi vuole accesso a tutti gli eventi, gli speech, lo spettacolo e i concerti del Mainstage, insieme a tutte le opportunità e le attività dell’Area Fieristica, tra incontri B2B, tech show, distretti espositivi tematici, gaming e open stage.
Per chi vuole accesso a tutti gli eventi, gli speech, lo spettacolo e i concerti del Mainstage, insieme a tutte le opportunità e le attività dell’Area Fieristica, tra incontri B2B, tech show, distretti espositivi tematici, gaming e open stage.
Targeted Networking Sessions & Lead Generation Opportunities
At WMF, every meeting can turn into a successful partnership, a fruitful investment, or the beginning of a strategic collaboration. Join us and become part of a global community. Participate in networking sessions designed to facilitate meaningful connections. Here, you'll find the ideal context to expand your network and discover resources and partners.
Some of the main opportunities you can participate in at WMF include
Innovation Night
The event to share innovative ideas and have fun building new relationships. The perfect opportunity for informal networking and to enjoy a stimulating and festive atmosphere.
Investors Night
An exclusive evening for investors from the WMF international network, who will have the chance to meet, share insights, and explore synergies in a completely informal and private setting.
Speed Meeting
The innovative formula for quick and direct meetings, ideal for startups seeking funding, investors looking for promising projects, or wanting to expand their network.
Job Placement
The recruitment service for Digital Professions, to facilitate the matching of job supply and demand! A unique opportunity to find professional profiles suitable for your company.
Dedicated Stages
The World Startup Fest is a platform to share ideas, learn from others' experiences, and discover the latest trends in the world of innovation.
Participate in sessions and discussions with key players in programs dedicated to startups and open innovation stakeholders.
Startup & VC Plenary
On this stage, hundreds of founders from top startups will come together to present the progress of their projects and illustrate how each one is contributing to creating a global innovation ecosystem.
Open Innovation & International Ecosystem
Every year, the best entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation leaders gather at the WMF to participate in panels and round-table discussions to explore the keys to success of various international ecosystems, the latest investment trends, open innovation strategies, and the peculiarities of local entrepreneurial ecosystems. It's a unique opportunity for quality networking and to activate strategic collaborations with key industry players. Join us to build the future of innovation.
Impact to Business Stage
The pursuit of a sustainable development model has become the primary objective and driving force for most organizations and institutions worldwide.
On this stage, we compare business models, policies, and experiences characterized by their ambition and commitment to contributing to positive change in social or environmental areas.
WMF is a Certified International Trade Fair
Want to be part of the World Startup Fest?
Fill out the form below and our team will get in contact to answer your request.
Are you an investor?
Join the WMF international network
Discover all the opportunities for investors, VC firms, corporate Open Innovation Arms, and investment funds to join the WMF community, participate in the jury, award prizes, and connect with Italian and international startups that present their projects at WMF every year. Visit the Open Innovation & VC Fest page and explore all the activities dedicated to Open Innovation stakeholders.
