We want to say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026 by rounding up the key events and calls for startups scheduled for the first half of the year — you won’t want to miss them!
JANUARY
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CARE4BIO Brokerage 2026
A brokerage event focused on networking, matchmaking and collaboration for upcoming calls under Horizon Europe Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment.
This event complements the European Commission’s Cluster 6 Info Days for the 2026 calls, which will take place online on 22 and 23 January.
Deadline: 11 January 2026
Event date: 21 January 2026
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Website: https://horizoneuropencpportal.eu/stage/care4bio-2026-brokerage-event-brussels
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EUSEW Awards 2026 – Guidelines
The European Sustainable Energy Awards recognise outstanding individuals and projects for their innovation and efforts in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Deadline: 29 January 2026
Award ceremony: 9–11 June 2026 (online and onsite)
Location: Brussels
Website: https://sustainable-energy-week.ec.europa.eu/awards/guidelines-awards-2026_en
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Science for Industry (S4i)
An international event focused on Deep Science, promoting technology transfer and innovation driven by deep-tech research.
Deadline for the call for startups & spin-offs: 22 December 2025
Event dates: 28–29 January 2026
Location: Madrid
Website: https://www.s4industry.eu/
FEBRUARY
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Transfiere Forum
A leading European R&D&I forum addressing the major challenges of the scientific-technological ecosystem. It provides access to disruptive technology trends, funding opportunities, innovative solutions and networking to foster strategic alliances in a global context.
Dates: 24–26 February 2026
Location: Málaga
Website: https://transfiere.fycma.com/
MARCH
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Factories of the Future Awards 2026
Awards recognising excellence and achievement in the manufacturing industry, held within the framework of Advanced Factories 2026 (Fira Barcelona).
Deadline: 22 March 2026
Location: Gran Via, Fira Barcelona
Website: https://www.advancedfactories.com/awards/
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MWCapital Awards 2026
Awards recognising technology-based projects that demonstrate social, environmental and good governance commitments through a human-centred use of technology.
Deadline: 18 March 2026
Location: Barcelona
Website: https://mobileworldcapital.com/mobile-world-capital-awards/
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Smarter E AWARD 2026
Awards seeking innovative ideas and pioneering solutions for the future of energy and mobility.
Deadline: 20 March 2026
Award ceremony: 22 June 2026
The smarter E Europe 2026: 23–25 June 2026
Location: Munich, Germany
Website: https://www.thesmartere-award.com/home
APRIL
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Salamanca Tech Summit
A meeting point for researchers, companies, startups and investors to drive projects and foster innovation.
Event dates: 15–17 April 2026
Location: Castilla y León Conference and Exhibition Centre
Website: https://summit.salamancatech.es/es
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MeetingPack 2026 Conference
An international event focused on materials and barrier packaging trends, exploring the challenges and opportunities that the circular economy offers to industry.
Deadline for nominations: 13 February 2026
Event dates: 21–22 April 2026
Location: Museu de les Ciències de València
Website: https://meetingpack.com/
MAY
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Interpack 2026
An event aimed at promoting the development and advancement of the processing and packaging industry, ensuring its success in global markets.
Event dates: 7–13 May 2026
Location: Düsseldorf, Germany
Website: https://www.interpack-tradefair.es/
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Advanced Factories 2026
An event dedicated to industrial automation, robotics, digitalisation and advanced technologies for the manufacturing industry.
Event dates: 5–7 May 2026
Location: Barcelona
Website: https://www.advancedfactories.com/
JUNE
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Net Zero Tech
An event focused on technologies and solutions driving decarbonisation, energy efficiency and the transition towards climate neutrality.
Event dates: 3–4 June 2026
Location: Barcelona
Website: https://netzero-tech.com/
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Foro de las Ciudades and Open Call for Waste Management Startups Final Pitch & Networking Event
A leading platform in Spain for discussing sustainability, urban innovation and the management of greener cities. The 2026 edition will be the perfect showcase to highlight the finalist startups of TheCircularLab – Ecoembes Open Call for Waste Management Startups, presenting their solutions to companies, public administrations and key institutions driving the transition towards sustainable cities.
Deadline for registration to the Open Call: 31 January 2026
Event dates: 9–11 June 2026
Location: IFEMA, Madrid
Websites:
https://www.ifema.es/foro-ciudades
https://opencall.thecircularlab.com/