And join the international network of startups, investors, and VCs of WMF - We Make Future
Ticket on offer for €99 + VAT instead of €549 + VAT, only until October 1st.
Call Startup AI 4 Future
February 11 - 12 2027 | Milan - Superstudio Maxi
Apply with your Startup and take part in the competition!
Present your startup at the AI Festival
WMF – We Make Future, the International Fair on AI, Tech & Digital Innovation and creator of AI Festival, has always supported the growth of Italian and international startups and enterprises through global visibility and business matchmaking initiatives. The AI 4 Future call by AI Festival is a structured initiative designed to accelerate AI-driven innovative ventures capable of driving market success while making a positive impact on society.
Opportunities for Selected Startups
By applying with your startup, you will compete for exclusive opportunities, including:
Participating in AI For Future in Silicon Valley (San Francisco).
Participating in WMF 2027, taking place June 10–12, 2027, at BolognaFiere (Italy).
Securing an incubator residency at Tecnopolo di Bologna, thanks to WMF’s partnership with Tecnopolo and the Metropolitan City of Bologna.
Participating in Saudi Makes Future, scheduled for December 14–16, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Applying to the call gives your startup direct access to a global ecosystem and dedicated investment pipelines with leading international VCs.
Fill out the form below and submit your startup to AI 4 Future.
THE OPPORTUNITIES
Participating in AI for Future gives your project visibility within a global ecosystem, connecting you directly with investors and industry leaders ready to back innovative AI solutions.
Final Stage & Pitch Competition - The 6 finalist startups will pitch their solutions live at AI Festival 2027 in Milan and participate in WMF at BolognaFiere.
International Networking - An additional 30 selected startups will attend WMF, gaining direct access to B2B meetings and curated business matchmaking sessions with global investors and VCs.
Access to Tecnopolo di Bologna -Thanks to our partnership with the Metropolitan City of Bologna, top-performing ventures will gain access to facilities at Tecnopolo di Bologna—home of the Leonardo Supercomputer.
Selected startups will have the opportunity to:
Stage & Visibility
Present your project on the Main Stage at AI Festival.
Business matchmaking
Targeted B2B meetings and high-value networking with investors and VCs.
Expo Area
A dedicated desk on the Expo Floor for high-impact lead generation.
WMF global network
Access to exclusive international opportunities, initiatives, and global industry events.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The call is open to Italian and international startups and enterprises, whether founded by individuals or teams, with innovative tech and digital projects that feature Artificial Intelligence as their core business. Special consideration will be given to projects designed to generate a positive impact.
Submitted projects are evaluated based on the following criteria:
Team skills, knowledge of the sector, feasibility of the project;
Stage of development of the product/service;
Degree of innovation and defensibility of the project;
Competitive context and positioning;
Alignment with market and customer needs and their size;
Business potential of the idea;
Completeness of the documentation presented.
THE CALL FORMAT
The 6 finalist startups will compete live in the final round at AI Festival 2027 in Milan.
Each team will have 3 minutes to pitch the key elements of their venture, followed by a 2-minute Q&A with the jury. Once all pitches are complete, both the judges and the audience will cast their votes to select two distinct winners: the Jury Award Winner and the Audience Award Winner.
THE PITCH
The elevator pitch is at the heart of the AI for Future Call for Startups. It’s a concise presentation that highlights the core elements of your venture, designed to capture investor interest and showcase your business idea.
> Download the support material
Fill out the form to apply for the AI*Festival Startup Competition.
Timeline
10/12
2025
Application closing
AI Festival, Milano
AI Festival, Milano
11/02
2026
Final
AI Festival, Milano
AI Festival, Milano
12/03
2026
1 phase Application Closing
WMF, Bologna
WMF, Bologna
16/04
2026
2 phase Application Closing
WMF, Bologna
WMF, Bologna
25/06
2026
Final
WMF, Bologna
WMF, Bologna
In partnership with
Apply to the Startup Competition AI 4 Future
Do you want to participate in the Startup AI 4 Future Call, the first international startup competition dedicated entirely to AI? Fill in the form and attach your pitch: the AI*Festival team will analyze your application and provide you with feedback once the call is closed.
Are you an investor?
Join the WMF international network
Discover exclusive opportunities for investors, VCs, corporate open innovation arms, and investment funds to join the WMF and AI Festival community. Serve on the jury, award special prizes, and connect directly with high-growth startups across our global network.
Visit the Call for Investors page to explore tailored opportunities for open innovation stakeholders.
AI FOR FUTURE: the 14 Future Challenges of WMF
During the application process, each startup specifies which of the 14 Future Challenges it aims to address through its Artificial Intelligence applications:
Future of Industrytech & Robotics
Future of Space Industry
Future of Food & Agriculture
Future of AI, Digital Business & Media
Future of Smart Cities & Mobility
Future of Rights & Cybersecurity
Future of Entertainment & Cultural Industry
Future of GovTech & Public Services
Future of Health & Life Sciences
Future of Tourism & Culture Heritage
Future of E-Commerce & Retail
Future of Education & Work
Future of CleanTech & Energy
Future of FinTech, InsurTech & Blockchain
Partner
WMF Ecosystem Innovation Partner
