AU-EU-Med Innovation Fair 2026
Turning Results into Market Successes
📅 25 November 2026
📍 CIHEAM Bari, Italy & Online
The 2026 African Union – European Union – Mediterranean Innovation Fair (AU-EU-Med Innovation Fair) will take place on 25 November 2026, bringing together innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, start-ups, investors, policymakers and business support organisations from Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean.
This year’s edition will focus specifically on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) under the theme “Turning Results into Market Successes.”
The Fair aims to accelerate the journey from research and innovation to investment, market deployment and scale-up, connecting promising innovations with investors, finance institutions, corporations, accelerators and other ecosystem partners.
What to Expect
The full-day hybrid programme will feature:
- High-level policy sessions
- Two-minute innovation pitches
- Innovation exhibition and matchmaking
- Investor and business matchmaking opportunities
- Networking sessions
- Innovation Fair Awards
- Engagement with researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers
The event is expected to bring together approximately 300 participants on-site, alongside several hundred online participants.
Focus Areas
The 2026 Innovation Fair will showcase innovative solutions addressing key FNSSA challenges, including:
- 🌱 Sustainable agricultural production
- 🥗 Food systems and nutrition
- 📈 Agricultural markets and trade
- 💻 Digitalisation in agri-food ecosystems
- 💧 Water management
- 🧪 Nutrients and fertilisers
- 🏭 Agri-food value chains
- 🌍 Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus
- ♻️ Circular economy
Opportunity for Start-ups and SMEs
Science-based, innovative and deep-tech start-ups and SMEs working in FNSSA-related areas can participate in the Innovation Fair’s pitching and matchmaking opportunities.
Selected innovators will have the opportunity to:
- Pitch their solutions to an international audience
- Showcase their innovations
- Connect with investors and potential business partners
- Participate in investor and business matchmaking
- Engage with accelerators and business support organisations
- Compete for the 2026 Innovation Fair Awards
- Explore opportunities for investment, de-risking and scale-up support
Who Should Participate?
The Fair is relevant to:
- Researchers and research organisations
- Innovators and entrepreneurs
- Start-ups and SMEs
- Investors and finance institutions
- Corporates
- Business support organisations
- Accelerators
- Policymakers
- Development partners
- Civil society organisations
- International organisations
Part of Mediterranean Innovation Agrifood Week
The AU-EU-Med Innovation Fair forms part of Mediterranean Innovation Agrifood Week (MIAW), taking place at CIHEAM Bari from 23–28 November 2026. Participants can also explore opportunities to engage with the wider programme during the week.
Event Details
Date: 25 November 2026
Time: 09:00–19:00 CET
Location: CIHEAM Bari, Italy & Online
Format: Hybrid
Learn More & Register
Organisers: African Union, European Union and Union for the Mediterranean, in partnership with CIHEAM Bari.