Saturday, January 25, 2025

WeMakeFuture Startup Competition Call

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The largest international startup competition in Italy – WMF – We Make Future, will take place in Bologna at the BolognaFiere exhibition centre.

Last year, we managed to engage over 60,000 participants from 89 countries, more than 1000 speakers, more than 3,000 startups, investors, open innovation stakeholders and over 700 exhibitors. Some of last year’s edition guests: Sir Tim Berners Lee, Manuel Castells, Jerry Kaplan.

The event represents an opportunity for networking and business growth.

WMF Startup competition

Among its many initiatives, WMF also organizes the largest International Startup Competition, now in its 12th edition. Major international players in innovation and entrepreneurship are involved. The Competition’s finale will take place on the Mainstage during WMF 2024, scheduled for June 13th, 14th, and 15th, and will be globally live-streamed.

The call for the WMF 2024 Startup Competition is officially open. To apply, fill out the form with your startup.

All the selected startups from the call will have the opportunity to:

  • Pitch in front of an International and Knowledgeable Audience: thanks to an international audience of investors, industry-leading companies, and participants worldwide.
  • Organize B2B Meetings and High-Level Networking through the WMF business community.

Multiple networking opportunities will be arranged, including:

  • Speakeasy: casual networking events that promote professional connections and interactions in an informal setting.
  • Access the Global WMF Network: facilitated connection during and after the event, with the possibility of involvement in related initiatives in Italy and beyond.
  • Innovation Night: an evening where startups and investors can engage in constructive dialogues in a relaxed atmosphere.
  • Speed Meeting: an innovative format of quick and direct meetings, 
  • Ideal for startups seeking investment opportunities.

Selection Criteria

The invitation targets startups and enterprises, comprising individuals or groups, with inventive concepts or initiatives in the digital/technological realm. Emphasis is on projects fostering a beneficial influence on communities and society. Selection criteria encompass:

  1. Team expertise, industry acumen, project viability;
  2. Product/service development stage;
  3. Level of innovation and its protectability;
  4. Competitive positioning;
  5. Alignment with market and consumer requirements and scalability;
  6. Idea’s business prospects;
  7. Adequacy of the submitted documentation.