FTW26 – WELCOME EVENT

Future Tech Week 2026 (FTW26) will officially commence on 19 January 2026 with a dedicated Welcome Event at 10:00 CET, marking the start of a full week of activities showcasing Europe’s most ambitious deep-tech research. The session will bring together project teams, innovators, policymakers and the wider community to set the tone for an edition focused on collaboration, creativity and the future of European innovation.

The Welcome Event acts as the collective starting point for all activities that will unfold across the week — from presentations and workshops to panel discussions, networking sessions and thematic exchanges. It is a moment to acknowledge the diversity of the participating projects, highlight the themes emerging across this year’s programme, and reflect on the value of cross-community engagement within the deep-tech ecosystem.

During the session, Cesar G. Crisosto and Caterina Falcinelli, Communication & Dissemination Officers at ICONS and part of the EIC Communities team, will offer an overview of the FTW26 agenda and outline the key strands that will shape the week. Participants will hear about the role of Future Tech Week in amplifying research results, fostering collaboration and connecting Europe’s deep-tech innovators with the stakeholders who can help bring their technologies to market. The event will also provide space to celebrate the enthusiasm of the many projects that have contributed to this edition through their activities, strengthening the shared identity of the EIC-funded community.

The Welcome Event will serve as an introduction not only to the week’s programme, but also to the broader purpose that drives Future Tech Week each year: building a European space where ideas can circulate, connections can form and innovations can grow. As the initiative enters its new edition, the session will reaffirm the importance of openness, exchange and visibility in advancing deep-tech breakthroughs.

Participants are invited to join the Welcome Event via the FTW26 website, where they will also find the full programme and registration links for all upcoming activities. Whether attending a single session or following the entire programme, the Welcome Event offers the perfect starting point for an inspiring and dynamic week.

For any questions, the organising team can be contacted at FTW@eicommunities.eu.

Future Tech Week 2026 — Connecting Minds, Creating Futures.