Innoweek 2026, The Longevity Era

“For this edition, we have chosen a specific theme: technologies that improve the lives of people over the age of 50. The event brings together experts, investors, entrepreneurs and researchers with start-ups and spin-offs to forge the connections needed to grow and scale their projects,” said Angelo Marra, organiser of Innoweek, which takes place in Calabria. He is presenting the 2026 edition, scheduled for 8–10 October, for which Startupbusiness (which had already covered the 2022 edition) is a media partner.

Calabria aims to become the place where the Mediterranean discusses its technological and economic future. Under the High Patronage of the European Parliament, Innoweek 2026 is set to become a natural candidate to develop into a genuine Mediterranean Innovation Biennale – a regular event capable of attracting expertise, capital and ideas from all over the world.

Angelo Marra, president of the Reboot association, launched Innoweek 10 years ago and has since developed it into one of the leading platforms for innovation in the South, with one of the region’s most active digital communities.

The main event is scheduled for 8–10 October at the Falkensteiner Club Funimation Garden Calabria in Acconia di Curinga, in the province of Catanzaro, but Innoweek spans a whole week: some arrive early to prepare for the meetings, whilst others stay on afterwards to enjoy the Calabrian coast, turning their business trip into an opportunity to explore the region.

The expected experts come from different continents: from various parts of Canada, Dubai, Greece, Poland, France and Tanzania, as well as from Asia and, of course, from all over Italy. An international platform that brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, start-ups, researchers and representatives of institutions.

The defining feature remains its accessibility: attendance is free of charge. This is a deliberate choice, designed to lower the barrier to entry for entrepreneurs and professionals who wish to understand and capitalise on the opportunities presented by a transformation that is reshaping markets and services.

This year’s edition is dedicated to ‘The Longevity Era’ and the silver and longevity economy. Living longer is changing consumption patterns, healthcare, work, welfare, finance and intergenerational relationships. It is not just about products for the elderly: the entire life cycle opens up opportunities for innovation in healthtech, artificial intelligence, prevention, care, mobility, financial and insurance services, housing, education and wellbeing. For start-ups, this means markets set to grow over the coming decades; for institutions, it means rethinking services, infrastructure and public policy.

The programme includes talks and panel discussions with Italian and international experts on longevity, innovation, healthcare, wellbeing and digital transformation; themed workshops focusing on the practical applications of new technologies and the development of products, services and organisational models; the SpinUp Award, the seventh edition of the pitch competition, in which innovative start-ups and SMEs present their projects to investors, venture capitalists and industry players; and networking events to foster collaborations, partnerships and new opportunities.

Innoweek 2026 is organised by the Reboot association, with Fincalabria as co-organiser. Supporters include Intesa Sanpaolo, Refin London, Rubino Innovation Chain and the Calabria Regional Government. The event enjoys the High Patronage of the European Parliament and the patronage of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, as well as the support, amongst others, of ICE – Italian Trade Agency, RAI, Confindustria Reggio Calabria, AISCRIS and NAStartUp. (image: Depositphotos)