The World Mobile Congress, held annually in Barcelona, may not seem like a startup-focused event at first glance, as it traditionally caters to the telecoms industry. However, in recent years, a show within the show, Four Years from Now (4YFN), has opened its doors to digital startups from Europe and beyond. Pere Duran, CEO of 4YFN, explained that the event aims to help startups grow their businesses by providing them with opportunities to showcase their products, connect with investors and customers.
4YFN has been around for ten years, initially as a standalone event before being moved into the MWC space after the Covid pandemic. This move has given startups access to a broader range of interested parties, including corporate innovation teams attending the larger MWC event. Duran emphasizes that 4YFN is open to all types of digital startups, with a focus on attracting early-stage ventures from all over the world. This year, the event showcased companies in diverse fields, with digital healthcare being the most popular segment.
One such company that participated in 4YFN is Qilimanjaro, a Barcelona-based quantum computing startup that won the Best Digital Startup award at the event. CEO Marta Estarellas highlighted the company’s goals of connecting with other startups, investors, potential customers, and policymakers shaping the future of technology ecosystems. With commercialization of their quantum computing products estimated to be five to ten years away, establishing connections and positioning the company in the market are essential outcomes for attending such events.
The event provided Qilimanjaro with opportunities to engage with corporate businesses, telecoms companies, and potential buyers, contributing to the company’s growth and positioning in the market. While some businesses attend 4YFN for multiple years, Duran notes that the event is primarily for startups at the Series A or Series B stage, with more mature companies returning as speakers. With 80% of the 901 participating companies being startups, 4YFN aims to connect ecosystems from Europe and beyond, benefiting not only Barcelona’s ecosystem but also fostering global connections in the digital startup space.
