WMF – We Make Future — Startup Competition 2027

Competition · Bologna, Italy

Rolling applications Apply

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. Cheque

None Equity

Bologna, Italy Where

The Startup Competition runs at WMF - We Make Future in Bologna. It is open to Italian and foreign startups and companies with innovative technological or digital projects, gives priority to projects with a social impact, and collects applications on a rolling basis.

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, spots on the WMF international roadshow and access to Middle Eastern investors through the Saudi Makes Future event. Nothing is taken in equity.

The call for the 2026 edition is closed. Applications for the 2027 competition are being collected on an ongoing basis, with no closing date published ahead of the festival on 10-12 June 2027 at BolognaFiere.

What it actually costs you

ChequeSix 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.

Equity takenNone

Market rate for the same chequeOpen to Italian and foreign startups and companies with innovative technological or digital projects; projects with a social impact are given priority.

Italian and foreign startups with innovative technological or digital projects can enter the WMF competition in Bologna, Italy, which runs on a rolling basis and gives priority to projects with social impact. Six finalists pitch on the Mainstage for three minutes with a two-minute Q&A, while 140 more pitch on the Startup Stage across challenge categories. Awards take the form of mentorship, funding opportunities, acceleration and partnerships. Participants also join the Startup District exhibition. Non-dilutive.