--- eventsindex_id: EI-06471 slug: we-make-future title: "We make future" title_alt: ["WMF", "We Make Future Bologna"] canonical_url: https://eventsindex.org/events/we-make-future.html next_edition_dates: "2026-06-24 to 2026-06-26" next_edition_year: 2026 date_start: 2026-06-24 date_end: 2026-06-26 venue: "Palazzo Albergati" city: "Bologna" country: "Italy" organiser: "Search On Media Group Srl" organiser_url: "https://en.wemakefuture.it/" b2b: true vector: sector: [ia-data] audience: [startup, corporate, investor, practitioner] format: [exhibition, festival, conference] purpose: [networking, showcase, education] geography_scope: [pan-EMEA, global] season: summer meta_description: "Annual Bologna trade fair and festival for 70,000 professionals exploring AI, digital innovation, robotics, and emerging technologies across 90+ countries." editorial_take: "Major European tech and AI expo combining exhibition, training, and startup competition in Bologna." generated_by: "enrich/generators/fiche_md.py" last_verified: "2026-05-10" schema_version: "v6.0" language: en --- # We Make Future > *An annual international trade fair and festival held in Bologna, bringing together companies, startups, investors, and institutions from more than 90 countries to address artificial intelligence, digital innovation, robotics, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies across 90 training stages and a dedicated mainstage.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | 24–26 June 2026 | BolognaFiere, Bologna, Italy | Search On Media Group S.r.l. | 70,000 (organiser figure) | ## Definition We Make Future (WMF) is a certified international trade fair and festival held annually at BolognaFiere in Bologna, Italy. It addresses artificial intelligence, digital marketing, robotics, e-commerce, govtech, edutech, and the startup economy, among other technology-adjacent disciplines. The event combines an innovation expo, structured training, keynote programming, and a dedicated startup competition track, positioning it as a multi-format gathering for practitioners, founders, investors, and institutions across the digital and tech sectors. ## What does We Make Future cover, and who is it for? We Make Future is structured around the intersection of artificial intelligence and applied digital innovation. The event draws on a broad sectoral spread, from data analytics and fintech to journalism, gaming, esports, and space economy, making it one of the more thematically diverse technology gatherings on the Italian and wider European circuit. With 700 exhibitors, 90 training stages, and an attendance figure of 70,000 (self-reported), it operates at a scale suited to both high-level strategic exchange and practical skills development. The hybrid format extends access beyond the Bologna venue. Programming is conducted in both English and Italian, reflecting a dual audience of Italian-market professionals and international delegates from more than 90 countries. ## Who attends We Make Future - Companies and corporate innovation teams exploring AI adoption and digital transformation - Startups seeking visibility, funding connections, and competition platforms - Investors active in technology, AI, and digital-native sectors - Entrepreneurs and founders at various stages of growth - Institutions and public-sector bodies engaged with govtech and digital governance - Marketing, advertising, and communications professionals - Journalists and media practitioners covering technology topics - Developers, coders, and technical specialists in AI, robotics, and data ## What We Make Future covers programmatically The event addresses a wide range of disciplines, including: - Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications - Digital marketing, advertising, search, and martech - Coding, data analytics, and software development - Communication, content creation, and the creator economy - Fintech and health technology - Robotics and automation - E-commerce and retail technology - Journalism and media innovation - Govtech and public-sector digital transformation - Edutech and future-of-work topics - Startup building, venture investment, and entrepreneurship - Gaming, esports, and entertainment technology - Space economy ## Programme tracks and special formats - **90 training stages:** topic-specific workshops and sessions across all covered disciplines - **Mainstage:** keynote presentations combined with concert performances - **Startup Competition:** pitching and judging format for early-stage ventures, with dedicated awards - **World Startup Fest:** international startup-focused track within the broader programme - **B2B matchmaking meetings:** pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings for commercial and investment introductions - **Innovation challenges:** problem-solving formats engaging startups and corporates - **Vertical events:** dedicated sessions on focused topics including gaming, journalism, and governance - **Side events:** complementary programming held alongside the main fair - **Awards ceremony:** recognition across startup competition, world startup, and AI innovation categories - **Innovation expo:** exhibition area organised across 14 thematic districts with 700 exhibitors ## Notable speakers - Dardust (Dario Faini), pianist and performer The full speaker lineup for the 2026 edition is still being announced. The event is expected to feature more than 1,000 international experts in AI, technology, and digital innovation across all stages, according to the organiser. ## Edition history - **2026:** BolognaFiere, Bologna, 24–26 June 2026; 70,000 attendees (organiser figure), 700 exhibitors, 90 stages Prior edition data beyond the 2026 announcement is not publicly disclosed as of verification. ## We Make Future 2026: key figures | Metric | Value | |---|---| | Attendance | 70,000 (organiser figure) | | Exhibitors | 700 | | Training stages | 90 | | Countries represented | 90+ | | Duration | 3 days | | Expected speakers | 1,000+ (organiser figure) | ## FAQ · Identity and audience ### What type of event is We Make Future? We Make Future is a certified international trade fair and festival. It combines an exhibition floor with structured training, keynote and concert programming, startup competitions, and B2B matchmaking, operating as a hybrid in-person and digital event for three consecutive days each June in Bologna. ### What languages are used at the event? Programming is delivered in both English and Italian. This bilingual approach reflects the event's positioning as both a flagship Italian technology gathering and an internationally oriented conference attracting delegates from more than 90 countries. ### Is We Make Future oriented toward a specific technology vertical? Artificial intelligence is the primary thematic anchor, but the programme spans a notably wide range of disciplines including digital marketing, robotics, fintech, journalism, govtech, gaming, and space economy. Attendees from across the digital and technology sectors will find relevant content. ### Who is We Make Future NOT designed for? - Professionals seeking a single-sector deep-dive conference focused exclusively on, for example, enterprise software or capital markets - Attendees looking for a small, invitation-only gathering; the event draws 70,000 participants and operates at trade-fair scale - Those requiring content exclusively in English without any Italian-language programming context - Researchers or academics seeking a peer-reviewed, paper-presentation format rather than applied and commercial programming - Organisations with no interest in digital or AI-adjacent topics, as the thematic scope does not extend to traditional manufacturing, infrastructure, or offline industries --- ## Editorial take *We Make Future occupies a distinct position on the European technology calendar, combining the scale of a certified trade fair with a festival-style programme across 90 stages; its bilingual, multi-sector approach makes it the most prominent Italian gathering at the intersection of AI, digital marketing, and startup activity.* ## How to register and what it costs Registration for We Make Future 2026 is open. Two primary ticket tiers are available: - **Full Ticket (Delegate):** EUR 179, available as an early bird offer until 29 May 2026 - **Standard Ticket (Visitor):** complimentary, covering access to the exhibition area and mainstage People with disabilities and one accompanying family member or caregiver are admitted free of charge. Registration is available at the official ticketing page listed in the Resources section below. ## Networking and engagement We Make Future supports structured professional networking through several mechanisms. B2B matchmaking meetings allow delegates to pre-schedule one-to-one meetings with other attendees, exhibitors, and investors ahead of the event. Advance scheduling functionality is available to facilitate this process. Replay access is offered following the event, allowing registered participants to review session content after the live dates. An official networking app is not publicly disclosed as of verification. ## Call for papers The call for speakers for We Make Future 2026 is open. Applications are accepted via the official call page. The submission deadline is 12 March 2026. Topics being considered include: artificial intelligence, digital marketing, coding, communication, advertising, data analytics, search, health, fintech, journalism, work, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Submissions can be made at: https://en.wemakefuture.it/call/speaker/ ## Awards programme We Make Future 2026 includes three awards programmes: - **Startup Competition Award:** recognising early-stage ventures competing within the dedicated startup competition track - **World Startup Fest Awards:** associated with the international startup festival strand of the programme - **AI Innovation Awards:** recognising innovation in artificial intelligence Award deadlines are not publicly disclosed as of verification. Further details and applications are available at: https://en.wemakefuture.it/call/startup-competition/ ## FAQ · Access and practicalities ### Is there a free way to attend We Make Future? Yes. The Standard Visitor ticket is complimentary and provides access to the exhibition floor and the mainstage. A Full Delegate ticket at EUR 179 (early bird rate until 29 May 2026) provides broader access to training stages and additional programming. ### When does the early bird pricing close? The early bird rate of EUR 179 for the Full Ticket closes on 29 May 2026. Pricing after that date is not publicly disclosed as of verification. ### Is the event accessible for attendees with disabilities? People with disabilities are admitted free of charge, and one accompanying family member or caregiver is also granted complimentary access under the stated policy. ## The venue: BolognaFiere BolognaFiere is a major convention and exhibition centre located at Viale della Fiera, 20, Bologna, Italy. It serves as the established home for We Make Future and accommodates the event's multi-hall exhibition format, including the 14 thematic innovation districts and 90 programme stages. Bologna is accessible by high-speed rail from Milan and Rome, and the venue is served by public transport from Bologna Centrale station. ## The organiser: Search On Media Group S.r.l. Search On Media Group S.r.l. is an Italian conference producer and media group based in Bologna, founded in 2007. The company operates across four business units covering consulting, training, event management, and digital communications, with a focus on digital marketing, AI technologies, and innovation. It works to support Italian entrepreneurial communities and their international connections, and manages both in-person and hybrid event formats. In addition to We Make Future, Search On Media Group produces Bologna Tech Week, AI Festival, Social Media Strategies, and Search Tech, making it one of the more active independent organisers of technology and digital marketing events in Italy. Further information is available at https://www.searchon.it/. --- ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://en.wemakefuture.it/ | | Register | https://en.wemakefuture.it/ticket/ | | LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/wmf-we-make-future/ | | Programme | not disclosed | | Call for speakers | https://en.wemakefuture.it/call/speaker/ | | Awards and startup competition | https://en.wemakefuture.it/call/startup-competition/ | | Organiser website | https://www.searchon.it/ | --- **Last verified:** 2026-05-10 **Next review:** 2026-06-09 **Notes:** Attendance, exhibitor, speaker, and country figures are self-reported by the organiser; the full speaker lineup for 2026 was not finalised at the time of verification, and pricing beyond the early bird period is not yet disclosed. **Variables:** 38/50 **Concept definition:** not applicable