On January 21st, the AI Festival Plenary Hall hosted the grand finale of the 'AI for Future' Startup Competition. On the Festival's main stage,
Representatives from the six finalists presented their innovative projects in 3-minute pitches. They showcased how they are addressing one or more of the '14 Challenges of the Future' identified by WMF, aiming to convince both the audience and the official jury to win the prizes up for grabs.
The finale has been preceded by a panel discussion on 'AI and Italy's Dimensional Challenge', featuring prominent speakers: Marco Gay, Executive President of Zest Investments; Giovanni Zazzerini, Secretary General of INSME; Gianluca Galgano, Italy Head of Startup and Venture Capital at EY; Vincenzo Di Nicola, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Fund at CDP Venture Capital; and Massimo Calzoni, Promotion Manager, Support Services and Coordinator of the Invitalia Startup System at INVITALIA.
Discover the winners of the AI for Future 2026 Startup Competition!
The startup will have the opportunity to participate in the next international leg of WMF in Silicon Valley, "AI for Future," scheduled for March 18th in San Francisco. This is a chance to engage with investors, startups, VCs, and key players in Silicon Valley, boosting visibility and creating strategic connections within the U.S. ecosystem.
By winning this award, the startup gains access to WMF 2026 and the World Startup Fest an unmissable opportunity to take part in events and initiatives dedicated to global innovation. A dynamic environment where founders and investors can connect, create business and networking opportunities, facilitate B2B meetings, and enhance both visibility and growth potential.
The startup wins the award presented by OVHcloud: €10,000 in OVHcloud credits to be used for Public Cloud solutions. Utilizing these credits also grants access to 6 hours of dedicated technical support from the specialized OVHcloud technical team.
Handy Signs also wins the award presented by 28Digital. This includes participation in the upcoming cohort of Speedmaster - an entrepreneurship training program developed by 28Digital and made possible through grants provided by EDIH DIPS in Trento. This opportunity is designed to support entrepreneurial growth and accelerate the solution's impact on both the market and society.
An audio martech company that leverages AI to help publishers transform written content into vocal experiences (text-to-speech). It develops patented solutions for seamless ad insertion and for the playback of highly realistic dialogues.
An energy audit software powered by Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain. The platform provides real-time energy consumption data, optimizes production, and helps reduce CO2 emissions by selling credits through the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).
The first digital assistant for Italian Sign Language (LIS) that translates from LIS to Italian and vice versa through an AI-powered app. Its mission is to break down communication barriers for deaf citizens, enhancing inclusion and accessibility to services.
A production studio that creates immersive brand experiences using Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Visual Effects (VFX), and Fake-Out-Of-Home (FOOH) technologies. It develops interactive campaigns, AR games, and holographic displays to enhance brand engagement.
An AI-based upskilling and white-label community platform designed for agile organizations. It connects employees with colleagues for coaching, mentoring, networking, and peer-to-peer learning, with a specific focus on informal knowledge sharing.
A startup focused on developing AI-based solutions to bring tangible innovation to businesses, improving processes, performance, and sustainability. It is committed to a responsible, ethical, and transparent AI approach.
