4YFN (4 Years From Now) Barcelona 2026 is organised by GSMA and takes place from 2 to 4 March 2026 in Barcelona, running alongside Mobile World Congress — the world's largest connectivity event. 4YFN has established itself as one of Europe's premier platforms for connecting early-stage startups with investors, corporations, and public sector innovators working on urban technology solutions.
The event focuses on startups developing smart city solutions across a wide spectrum of sectors, including mobility, property technology, clean technology, and civic innovation. Hundreds of startups from around the world gather to pitch their ideas, participate in investor matchmaking sessions, and compete in high-profile pitch competitions that can secure critical funding and accelerate market entry.
Running in parallel with Mobile World Congress, 4YFN benefits from the massive international audience drawn to Barcelona each spring. This co-location creates a unique environment where emerging ventures can meet established telecommunications giants, city representatives, and industry leaders under one roof. The synergy between the two events means that startup innovations in areas such as 5G-enabled urban services, IoT platforms, and AI-driven city management receive immediate attention from potential partners and customers.
Beyond the exhibition floor, 4YFN offers a rich programme of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops led by successful entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and innovation experts. Dedicated tracks on social impact innovation and sustainable urban development reflect the growing importance of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. For smart city professionals, 4YFN provides an early glimpse of the technologies and business models that will shape urban life in the coming years, making it an unmissable event for anyone tracking the European urban tech startup scene.