A growing pool of $4m in potential investment, ambitious entrepreneurs and an experienced investor community will come together at IBTM World 17-19 November, in Barcelona, as Ignite brings months of preparation onto the show floor and into the spotlight.
Delivered by IBTM World in partnership with specialist growth consultancy allpoints, the programme will give a platform to founders ready to share their businesses, meet potential backers and customers, and put that preparation to work.
At the heart of the action will be Ignite’s Future Stage sessions, where participating start-ups will pitch to investors in front of a live industry audience. Investors will give immediate feedback, question founders and explore the commercial potential behind their ideas, while audience participation brings the room into the conversation.
The ideas coming through from the start-ups span the event experience: from AI interpretation services such as Voicefrom AI to event operations technology including KNO Events. Businesses such as Bridged Media are finding new ways to turn audience interest into commercial opportunities, while Always Friday is rethinking corporate event planning and delivery. Content management platforms such as Sessionboard demonstrate how technology is helping organisers build and coordinate their programmes.
Claudia Hall, exhibition director, IBTM World, commented: “There’s something special about seeing the industry get behind its next generation of entrepreneurs. These businesses have put so much into preparing for Ignite, and next week we get to welcome them to Barcelona and help them make connections that could shape their future.
“From the live pitches and investor feedback to meetings with buyers across the show, we want to give them every opportunity to be seen, heard and supported. I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens when all that ambition meets the experience and enthusiasm of our global community.”
Start-up will also have access to the buyer diary and the Ignite Lounge and meetings and networking throughout the show will give both founders and investors space to follow up on what catches their attention.
Max Fellows, founder and CEO of allpoints, said: “We’ve spent the past few weeks getting to know these businesses, challenging their thinking and helping them prepare. The excitement now is seeing that work come together in Barcelona. There are brilliant founders with ideas that deserve attention, and investors bringing capital, experience and a real appetite to engage. With IBTM putting its platform and community behind them, we have the ingredients for some very productive conversations.”
IBTM World takes place at Fira Barcelona Gran Via from 17–19 November 2026.
