The first WMF event in Silicon Valley concluded with success that surpasses mere numerical expectations. Over 200 investors, startups, venture capitalists, and representatives from Big Tech companies such as Google, Meta, TikTok, Pinterest, and LG NOVA gathered in San Francisco to explore synergies and collaboration opportunities.

But the event, far more than just a showcase, marks the opening of a strategic bridge between Italy and the global epicenter of technological innovation, with potentially explosive effects for the Italian startup ecosystem.

The AI For Future event, organized by WMF – We Make Future and Search On Media Group, focused on the convergence between Artificial Intelligence and the diplomacy of innovation. Silicon Valley is not only where the most advanced technologies are born but also an arena where startups must compete to gain visibility and capital.

This time, Italy presented itself with a clear strategy: no longer just an observer, but an active partner in the global dialogue on AI.

This is demonstrated by the presence of a high-level panel of experts and investors, including representatives from Stanford University, Meta, Google, TikTok, and top venture capitalists such as Yamaha Music Innovations, Coelius Capital, and Alchemist Accelerator. The event was supported by ITA – the Agency for the Promotion of Italian Companies Abroad and the Internationalization of Italian Enterprises, with the participation of key figures such as Sergio Strozzi, General Consul of Italy in San Francisco, and Giosafat Riganò, Director of ITA Los Angeles.

The statements of the key players outline a clear strategy: it’s not just about exporting Italian innovation, but creating a two-way flow of investments and collaborations. “We Make Future in Italy is what INNOVIT represents here in San Francisco: a unique stage where Italian excellence can express and amplify its full potential,” said Giosafat Riganò, announcing that the roadshow will continue to Bologna from June 4 to 6, with the largest American delegation ever seen at the event.

One of the key elements of AI For Future was the presence of some of the best AI startups, culminating in the Startup Competition final. Cleverfi, an Italian company, and Workee, an American one, triumphed, securing the opportunity to participate in WMF 2025 with dedicated booths, meetings with investors, and the chance to present on the Startup Stage. This shows that the event is not just a runway but a true launching pad for the most promising companies.

But WMF doesn’t stop here. From San Francisco, the first names of investors and stakeholders attending the Bologna event have already been announced, including SoftBank, the European Council, EIT Digital, LG NOVA, and Invest Qatar, proving that interest in Italian technological innovation is growing even in traditionally more competitive markets.

The idea of innovation diplomacy, reiterated by Cosmano Lombardo, Founder and CEO of Search On Media Group, is therefore transforming into a concrete strategy. The future of business will not only be about profits but also global impact, and WMF aims to be the platform that enables this transformation.

After the record-breaking edition in 2024 with 70,000 attendees, WMF is preparing to raise the bar even higher. The event will take place at BolognaFiere from June 4 to 6, with the ambition to make Italy an indispensable hub for global innovation.