WMF – We Make Future: the Spectacle of Global Innovation on Display from June 13 to 15 at the WMF – We Make Future Expo Area

WMF – We Make Future unveils its expo area, open from June 13 to 15 within BolognaFiere, which this year will host the International Innovation Fair: AI, Tech, and Digital. This edition promises a wealth of business opportunities and technological showcases.

The fair will feature over 600 sponsors and exhibitors from around the world, as well as more than 3,000 startups and open innovation stakeholders, providing ample opportunities for significant synergies. International pavilions will also be present, including those from Hong Kong, the Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Ukraine, Greece, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Space Voyaging is a Media Partner of WMF 2024, proud to support such an ambitious project.

“The expo area this year is a privileged venue for business with players, brands, and ecosystems from all continents,” explains Cosmano Lombardo, Founder and CEO of Search On Media Group and creator of WMF. “We will have several areas set up for B2B meetings between companies and professionals, as well as between startups, investors, and institutions. Additionally, the pavilions will host technological shows, the European premiere of the Drone Soccer club challenge, and many other sports, eSports, musical, artistic, and cultural activities thanks to our numerous partners and sponsors who contribute every year to making this event unique.”

Among the key participants in the expo area is Ford Italia, the Main Sponsor of We Make Future 2024, which will present its electric models both in the exhibition space, featuring the new Explorer, and on the road with the Mustang Mach-E available for test drives. In addition to automotive, the expo will feature martech, social media, cybersecurity, e-commerce, consulting, and much more, thanks to the presence of numerous international brands including TikTok, Intel, ESA – European Space Agency, and Aruba.it, who will be available to showcase services and explore collaboration opportunities.

Notably, several Italian regions have chosen We Make Future to present themselves to the global innovation ecosystem, including Regione Puglia, Regione Basilicata, Regione Calabria, and the Regione Emilia-Romagna with its Data Valley pavilion, highlighting their innovative ecosystems. The Ministry of Culture (Mic) will also be present, with representatives from 22 institutions showcasing innovative projects including apps, gaming, artificial intelligence, and immersive virtual reality. Among these is “Musei Italiani,” an app developed by the DG Musei that promotes the national museum system, offering updated information and secure ticket purchasing in one virtual location.

The Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) will also feature an area showcasing the Emerging Technology Houses (CTE) from across Italy, including “CTE COBO” from the Municipality of Bologna, presenting their visions and projects aimed at exploring these innovation hubs, making Italy increasingly competitive in the technology sector.

Business, Networking Events, and Job Interviews

Numerous business opportunities and professional networking sessions will be available during the three-day event, involving over 90 countries with representatives from Europe, Africa, North and South America, Asia, and the Middle East, bringing together the best of global innovation. Companies, startups, investors, investment funds, institutions, and professionals from the AI & Digital Tech sector will benefit from B2B meetings in dedicated areas of the expo, exploring synergies and new collaborations in both the Italian and international markets.

There will be many targeted networking sessions and lead generation opportunities among the over 3,000 startups and open innovation stakeholders expected at We Make Future from around the world. These include Speakeasy sessions by SACE and Invitalia, and exclusive evening events for investors and startups in the city of Bologna.

Additionally, the three-day event is an important opportunity for professionals seeking employment and for companies with open positions. They can use the Digital Job Placement service available on the official WMF Web App to conduct job interviews right within the event areas.

Future Experiences: From Drone Soccer to eSports and Gravity’s Jet Suit Flight Display

The expo area will be a hub of technological innovations and futuristic entertainment. Highlights include Drone Soccer, which will occupy a 260 sqm space within the expo area with two playing fields. One will host the international club challenge, brought to Europe for the first time by We Make Future, and the other will be for participants to experience this innovative eSport firsthand, guided by the FIDA – Federation of International Drone Soccer Association.

Another unmissable and exclusive event on June 13 will be the flight display of the Jet Suit by Gravity Industries: an incredible example of the fusion between technological innovation, robotics, and entertainment. The audience will have the unique opportunity to see a human take flight thanks to a suit with propellers, providing a breathtaking spectacle.

Participants will also be both spectators and protagonists in a true Future Show, full of activities: from test drives with Ford Italia and Zero Motorcycle vehicles to discovering projects like Cryptolab’s Brain-Waves, demonstrating how to control a drone through brain impulses. Examples of robotics in the expo area include Teotronico, a pianist robot, and Robidone, an environmental robot used in schools, as well as Pepper, the humanoid robot from Gellify capable of engaging in conversations and business meetings. There will also be examples of video mapping, augmented reality (AR), and immersive AI experiences, allowing participants to explore, live, and interact with immersive environments thanks to the presence of the AELION Project and Service2Service.

Music, Art, and Shows: All Forms of Entertainment at the Fair

The expo area offers a crossroad of activities for all tastes: music enthusiasts can discover the over 30 finalist bands of the Emerging Bands contest, organized in partnership with RDS Next, which will animate the Contest Band Stage during the three-day event, performing for attendees.

Art plays a fundamental role in this edition of We Make Future, with eclectic buskers showcasing their talent in the fair spaces, and artists from both digital and traditional art forms present in the comics area, created this year in collaboration with Yobi Scribes. Furthermore, thanks to a call in collaboration with Prompt Magazine, hundreds of AI artists active in Italy and abroad have submitted their works. These pieces, generated with the aid of artificial intelligence and aimed at raising awareness on themes such as legality, climate change, peace, inclusion, and accessibility, will transform the fair spaces into a true art gallery, offering visitors a unique and engaging visual experience.

Startup, AI, Gaming, and Automotive: Some of WMF’s Thematic Districts

The expo area features thematic districts, each focused on one of the main sectors of innovation: the Startup & VC District will be the meeting point for the best startups from around the world, along with investment funds, venture capital, business angels, and incubators. During the three-day event, these entities will have the opportunity to present their innovative projects to a large international audience, not only on the Startup stage but also on the Future of Open Innovation & VC and Impact to Business stages. Business meetings will be organized to foster the creation of collaborations and entrepreneurial opportunities that will shape the future of digital-tech.

Equally important and anticipated are the eSports & Gaming District, spanning over 300 sqm dedicated to the gaming world, featuring the most innovative eSports, simulators, AR and VR experiences, and retro gaming and arcade, catering to all tastes and ages. The AI District will host Italian and international companies offering innovative solutions in robotics, healthcare, and employment. The Martech & E-Commerce District will welcome web agencies, tools, and services for e-commerce.

Books, Authors, and Creators Thematic Districts

The Book District will feature stands of publishing houses, including Apogeo, Franco Angeli, Dario Flaccovio Editore, and Hoepli, with planned participation of distinguished guests, authors, and moments of discussion on the Book Stage. The Creator District, meanwhile, is a genuine meeting and exchange space for the content creation world, featuring guests such as Muriel, Samuel Dibe, Leolucifero, Claudio di Biagio, and Mocho, offering opportunities to connect with their communities at We Make Future.

As a Media Partner, Space Voyaging has secured a dedicated discount code for our network, valid for reducing the price of the Full Ticket 3 days to €199+VAT instead of €249+VAT, the current public price.

To use the coupon, simply enter the code HMFV1CM_MS_199 in the designated section during the purchase process and click on “redeem”: the price will automatically drop to €199+VAT. The coupon is valid until June 10th.