Smart City Expo – Open Innovation Challenge 2026
This is a brokerage exercise rather than a competition. The Open Innovation Challenge matches startups, SMEs and research centres with public bodies and corporates working on AI, climate and mobility, and what a participant receives is a diary of pre-scheduled B2B and B2G meetings. There is no money attached and no equity is involved.
It suits teams whose buyers are municipalities and large operators, and suits teams looking for investment much less.
The call opens on 16 September 2026 and no closing date has been published. The meetings take place at Smart City Expo World Congress, which runs 3-5 November 2026 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, a tradeshow of around 27,000 attendees with some 350 startups present.
What it actually costs you
This is an open innovation call attached to Smart City Expo in Barcelona, matching startups, SMEs and research centres with public bodies and corporates working on AI, climate and mobility. Participants get pre-scheduled B2B and B2G meetings rather than funding, and no equity is taken. Suited to teams whose buyers are municipalities and large operators.