Bologna: startups, funding and events

Six finalists pitch on the WMF Mainstage for three minutes with a two-minute Q&A, with two winners chosen by jury and audience vote, while a further 140 startups - ten per challenge category - pitch on the Startup Stage. The prize pool was worth EUR 2.6 million in 2025 and awards take the form of mentorship, funding opportunities, acceleration programmes and strategic partnerships. Participants also get a place in the Startup District exhibition area, B2B networking with around 1,000 VC and open innovation stakeholders, innovation networking events, spots on the WMF international roadshow and access to Middle Eastern investors through the Saudi Makes Future event. · None