by Gisella Cozzo | Images provided by WMF

For three days in June, WMF We Make Future—International Fair on Innovation: AI, Tech, and Digital will take place in Bologna. Segmento interviews WMF’s founder and CEO, Dr. Cosmano Lombardo.

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Who is Cosmano Lombardo? 

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I believe in innovation as a driver of change. The We Make Future is an important project for me; it represents who I am. It’s an event where people, ideas, and opportunities meet to build the future—not wait for it. 

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My Calabrian origins taught me the value of community and determination. Bologna, where I live and work, provided the space to transform these roots into a global vision. I believe that innovation is not just about technology—it’s about culture and human connection. Every day, alongside my team at Search On Media Group and WMF, I work to create opportunities, support startups, promote digitalization, and give space to those determined to make a difference. "We Make Future" is not just a slogan, but a way of acting. We build the future, together, because we are convinced it belongs to those with the courage to create it.

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WMF was born from an ambitious dream: to create a space for connection, collaboration, and growth. From the outset, we believed in the possibility of creating an open and inclusive space where individuals and organisations can actively contribute to shaping the future. More than an event, WMF is an accelerator of opportunities at an international level, a laboratory of ideas and connections, and a catalyst for innovation.

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For WMF, human interaction remains essential—is it part of its identity or a specific necessity?

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Though deeply rooted in the digital world, WMF recognizes the importance of direct human interaction. This approach enables genuine connections, encourages the sharing of ideas, and enhances local communities through innovation. WMF is not just an event—spanning AI, digital, and technology—it is a true catalyst for collaboration and opportunity, staying true to the spirit of growth that has defined its origins.

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Europe—and Italy in particular—feel the pressure of corporate acquisitions by large multinationals. How do you see this situation?

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I strongly believe in entrepreneurship as a driver of change and sustainable development. That’s why it is crucial to create an environment where Italian businesses can grow and compete globally—without being absorbed by major corporations. Technologies like artificial intelligence and digital innovation are powerful tools, but it’s up to us to use them to strengthen our local enterprises, support startups and SMEs, and build an ecosystem that allows them to thrive independently.

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How did WMF become a reality?

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Everything we do today with Search On Media Group stems from the shared vision I had with Giorgio Taverniti. Our journey began with Forum GT, the largest Italian digital community, which Giorgio founded in 2004. At the time, I was working for the FAO and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but it was our friendship, which started in Monasterace, Calabria, and our passion for digital innovation that pushed us to start a project together.

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Our first event took place in Pizzo Calabro, with just 13 participants. That experience led to the creation of GT Idea, a company aimed at supporting small businesses with their digital transformation. In 2010, when Andrea Pernici joined us, we moved our headquarters to Bologna, and our project grew into a team of 60 people, offering digital consulting, AI solutions, events, and support for startups.

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Our flagship project is undoubtedly WMF. Even in challenging times, like 2020, WMF remained a driving force for education, culture, and innovation, fostering an ecosystem that connects different skills and industries to build a better future. It’s not just an annual festival but a year-round initiative, with events in Italy and abroad, engaging young talents, startups, businesses, and institutions.

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Our mission is clear: to promote a more inclusive and sustainable future by spreading the culture of innovation.

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What are the key elements of your mission?

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Our fundamental themes include digitalization, sustainability, education, inclusion, accessibility, health, legality, employment, and entrepreneurship. These are the foundations upon which we build a shared future.

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Every day, thousands of individuals and organisations join our efforts, engaging in initiatives that create a positive impact on society and become what we call “entrepreneurs of society.” We strongly believe that a better, more inclusive, and fairer future lies in collective commitment, driven by cooperation and the responsible use of digital and technological innovation.

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Thanks to everyone’s contributions, we continue to grow and evolve each year, without ever losing sight of the values that guide us and the ultimate goal: a fairer and more sustainable future for all.

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You are originally from Calabria but live and work in Bologna. Is the “Borghi e Digitale” initiative connected to your roots and the need to migrate for a better future?

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My Calabrian roots have deeply influenced my vision of innovation. Growing up in Calabria, I felt the need to migrate in search of opportunities, but at the same time, I was determined to highlight the hidden potential of small towns. Now, living in Bologna, I aim to help bring digital transformation to these smaller communities.

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A country’s innovation should include all its territories, from major cities to small villages, making it a resource accessible to everyone. This belief inspired the creation of Borghi e Digitale, designed to foster innovation in small towns while enhancing the unique aspects of each region.

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One of the key initiatives of this project is HUBitat, a network of over 45 innovation hubs across Italy, focused on technology, sustainability, inclusion, and social entrepreneurship. HUBitat connects a wide ecosystem of schools, universities, businesses, and institutions, embedding itself in local communities to create a sustainable innovation network that links different Italian realities.

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Each hub is more than an innovation centre; it’s an ecosystem that blends local traditions with new skills, promoting the creative reuse of historical spaces. This process not only revitalizes local territories but also enhances internationalization, allowing local communities to engage with the global landscape.

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In essence, each hub serves as an accelerator of change, helping to shape the future of the country.

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