Applications are open for the 2026 AU–EU–Med Innovation Fair on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture, giving innovative start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises from Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean an opportunity to showcase market-ready solutions and connect with investors, business leaders and potential partners.

The 2026 Innovation Fair will take place on 25 November 2026 at CIHEAM Bari in Bari, Italy, with online participation also available. Under the theme “Turning results into market successes,” the event will focus on helping promising research and innovations move closer to market deployment, investment and scale.

About the Innovation Fair

The AU–EU–Med Innovation Fair is jointly organised by the African Union, European Union and Union for the Mediterranean, in partnership with CIHEAM Bari and other research, innovation and business-support partners.

The 2026 edition places a particular focus on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA). It will bring together entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, policymakers, development organisations and business support institutions from Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean.

The event is designed to help high-potential innovations overcome financing and market-access barriers by creating direct connections with investors, corporations, financial institutions, accelerators and other organisations that can support their growth.

What Selected Start-ups and SMEs Will Receive

A total of 16 start-ups and SMEs will be selected to participate in the Innovation Fair.

Selected businesses will have the opportunity to:

• Pitch their innovations to an international audience
• Showcase their products or solutions during the Innovation Fair
• Connect with investors and potential business partners
• Participate in investor matchmaking opportunities
• Network with corporations, researchers and business support organisations
• Compete for the 2026 Innovation Fair Awards
• Gain visibility among international stakeholders in the food and agriculture sector
• Access potential investment and scale-up opportunities
• Receive support for travel and accommodation to attend the event in Bari

The event will also provide selected innovators with opportunities to explore partnerships that can help move their solutions from research and development into real-world markets.

Event Format

The Innovation Fair will be held as a hybrid full-day event, combining in-person and online participation.

The programme will feature:

• High-level policy discussions
• Two-minute innovation pitches
• Exhibition and demonstration opportunities
• Investor and business matchmaking
• Networking sessions
• Awards for outstanding start-ups and SMEs
• Engagement with researchers, policymakers and development partners

Approximately 300 participants are expected to attend in person, with several hundred more joining online.

The 2026 AU–EU–Med Innovation Fair forms part of the Mediterranean Innovation Agrifood Week (MIAW), taking place from 23–28 November 2026 in Bari.

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is 15 September 2026.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity.