Cosmano Lombardo: The World’s Largest Digital Innovation Festival Comes to Albania

Cosmano, the tenth edition concluded with remarkable results. Did you expect such enthusiasm?

We aimed to create a truly special edition. Moving the event to the exhibition center had a major impact on the actual organization of the Festival. We had high expectations, and I must say that the success of this edition—deliberately international—surpassed all of them. Thanks to this change, we experienced the evolution together with people, partners, and everyone who has followed us over the years. We built new relationships—both international and national—and sought to elevate the dialogue with institutions. We are very proud to have created all this in Italy, particularly in Rimini, to contribute to the development of our country.

Can you highlight the milestones that have marked the journey of the “world’s largest Digital Innovation Festival” so far?

One key milestone, which just arrived, is that the WMF has been officially recognized as an International Fair. This recognition means a great deal to us, as we have been following a path over the years that has led to this achievement.

Last year’s edition was full of national and international attendees. Notable personalities have been essential in raising the value of the Festival, which continues to function as an accelerator of culture, education, and innovation.

There were many exceptional guests. Which of them impressed you the most and why?

All our guests and speakers are people we deeply respect. It’s not about a single individual, but particular stories. For example, the segment dedicated to the trial of Mimmo Lucano was very moving. And, of course, we cannot forget Federico Faggin or the maestro Pupi Avati.

Another topic close to our hearts is the fight against the mafia. Everyone who attends the Festival knows how committed we are to raising awareness, education, and information on this issue. This year, we also chose to honor Italy’s great innovators by naming various stages and areas of the exhibition after them. For example, the main stage was dedicated to Falcone and Borsellino. Among our guests were Prosecutor Nicola Gratteri, Director of DIA Maurizio Vallone, Pif, and many others.

Does the WMF have international activities? Are you planning to make it a global event?

Moving to the exhibition center was intentional, specifically to make the tenth edition an international fair. The presence of personalities, startups, and investors from 49 countries confirmed this edition as the richest ever, and therefore more future-oriented than ever. We plan to further strengthen the Festival’s international scope, making it truly global. The recognition as an International Fair gives us fresh energy to enhance the event and position Italy at the forefront of global innovation.

Which ideas showcased at the WMF do you consider the most virtuous?

This year, there was great anticipation for the arrival of the Sophia Robot in Italy. It was an unmissable opportunity for both the audience and us, as we have been engaging with AI and robotics for years. Another highlight was Gravity, the flying man show, which was a spectacular demonstration of skill. We also had Spot, the robotic dog from Boston Dynamics.

We are very proud that the Festival became a showcase for cutting-edge technological innovation. Virtuosity was also evident in the Startup Competition. All selected national and international startups came from innovative ideas, and we worked to highlight them throughout three days full of creativity and technology.

Did the presence of investors have a direct impact on the startups?

The startups attending the WMF were satisfied with the feedback and returns, both in terms of visibility and opportunities for networking. We aimed to make this edition unmissable, particularly thanks to the World Startup Fest, which allowed investors to discover truly innovative ideas, products, and services to support.

Do you support the startup ecosystem after the Festival? How?

Over the years, we have built a network of over 4,300 startups.

Supporting startups is an ongoing commitment throughout the year. Without this dedication, advancing digital and social change would be difficult. We engage our network of more than 4,300 startups across our numerous events (with the WMF as the main hub), connecting them with territories, investors, and both Italian and international actors, continuously creating value by sharing projects and ideas.

What are your next international projects? Will we see you soon in Albania?

We are accelerating the WMF International Roadshow, which will bring us to Albania in February 2023. Our goal is to spread the culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital development globally, sharing knowledge and values, and fostering cooperation among the social actors that form the foundation of the WMF.

“We are accelerating the WMF International Roadshow, which will take us to Albania in February 2023.”

We aim to drive the co-creation of a sustainable and inclusive future through this global engagement.