THE CONTEXT

Saudi Makes Future is the new international platform connecting Artificial Intelligence, advanced technologies, entrepreneurship and investment in the heart of Riyadh. The event builds on the global experience and network of WMF – We Make Future, which for over ten years has fostered entrepreneurial culture, supported innovative ecosystems and created opportunities for collaboration between startups, investors, companies and institutions worldwide.

The WMF ecosystem annually brings together more than 70,000 attendees from 90 countries and over 3,000 startups, investors, incubators, venture capital funds, business angels, corporations and accelerators. Through this international network, participating startups can connect with investment stakeholders representing:

$1.5 trillion+
Total Portfolio Value

$304 billion+
Assets Under Management

$72.8 billion+
Total Value of Funded Deals

17,000+
Funding Rounds

Building on the international experience of the WMF Startup Competition, now entering its 14th edition, Saudi Makes Future will bring this global opportunity to Riyadh for the first time.

The competition will involve leading players from the international innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, giving selected startups the opportunity to present their projects, connect with investors and companies, and gain visibility within a global network. The Startup Competition Final will take place on the Mainstage of Saudi Makes Future, scheduled for December 14–16, 2026, at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

Applications are now open. Fill out the form and apply to the Saudi Makes Future 2026 Startup Competition.

THE OPPORTUNITIES

From the Startup Competition call, 6 finalists will be selected to compete on the Mainstage for the overall prize pool. An additional 140 startups (10 for each "Challenge of the Future") will access the Startup Stage, where they will pitch to the audience, VCs, investors, and international representatives from leading incubators and accelerators. Furthermore, all participating and selected startups from the call will have the opportunity to:

• Take Part in Saudi Makes Future 2026 Join one of the leading international platforms dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, advanced technologies and innovation, taking place from December 14 to 16, 2026, at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

• Access the Startup District Showcase your project in the exhibition area dedicated to innovative startups from Saudi Arabia and around the world.

• Organize B2B Meetings and High-Level Networking Connect with investors, venture capital funds, open innovation stakeholders, entrepreneurs, companies and potential business partners from international innovation ecosystems during and beyond the event.

• Join Innovation Nights and Side Events Access exclusive networking evenings and dedicated events involving investors, companies, institutions and representatives of international innovation ecosystems.

• Receive Prizes and Awards Gain access to opportunities including potential funding, acceleration programmes, specialised services and strategic partnerships. In 2025, the total value of the prizes offered through the WMF Startup Competition ecosystem reached €2.6 million.

• Attend Training Sessions and Industry Panels Develop your entrepreneurial and technological expertise through sessions dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, emerging technologies, open innovation, investment and business development.

• Participate in the WMF International Roadshow Access the international programme that connects selected startups with major events, markets and innovation ecosystems around the world.

• Take Part in WMF 2027 Selected startups may have the opportunity to participate in WMF – We Make Future, taking place from June 10 to 12, 2027, at BolognaFiere in Bologna, Italy.

• Access the WMF Global Network Become part of an established international ecosystem and be considered for further initiatives, events and opportunities promoted by WMF and Search On Media Group in Italy and worldwide.

• Present to an International Audience and Industry Media Increase the visibility of your startup by presenting your project to investors, leading companies, innovation professionals and specialised media from different countries.

Among the winners of previous editions of WMF's startup competition are Invigilo AI and Electra Vehicles, MyLeg, Golee, AerariumChain, Yalla, Cyrkl, Basetrack, Intuos, Isaac, Yape, lightScience, FlowPay, Recornea, TOMMI, Friendz, PatchAI, FitPrime.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The call is dedicated to Italian and foreign startups and companies composed of teams with innovative projects or ideas in the technological and digital sector. Furthermore, special consideration is given to innovative projects aimed at generating a positive impact on territories and society. Submitted projects are selected based on the following criteria:

• Team skills, industry knowledge, project feasibility;

• Development stage of the product/service;

• Degree of innovation and its defensibility;

• Competitive context and positioning;

• Responsiveness to and size of market and customer needs;

• Business potential of the idea;

• Completeness of the submitted documentation;

• The project's impact on the challenges of the future.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE CALL

The Festival's Innovation Team will announce the 6 finalist startups, chosen from Italian and international applicants, who will present their pitch during the Final on the Mainstage. During the final, the selected startups will present their project in front of the jury composed of investors, industry players, and incubators, and to the WMF audience, present both in the hall and connected online.

Each team will have 3 minutes to present the key elements of their idea. The jury will then have another 2 minutes to ask in-depth questions. At the end, the jurors and the audience will cast their vote to determine the two winners, the one chosen by the jury and the one chosen by the audience.

> Read the regulations

>Follow the WMF pitch guide

THE PITCH

The elevator pitchis the heart of the Startup Competition. It is a brief presentation that encapsulates the key elements of an entrepreneurial idea, designed to attract potential investors or promote a business idea.

> Download the support material

> Discovers the winning Startups from previous editions

The call for the 2026 edition is now closed. Fill out the form to apply for the Startup Competition!