Mathew Knowles to speak at WMF in Bologna

By AI, Created 11:43 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Mathew Knowles will appear at WMF – We Make Future on June 25, 2026, at BolognaFiere in Bologna, bringing brand-building and global growth expertise to the AI, tech, and digital innovation conference. The event also uses Knowles’ appearance to sharpen its pitch as a major European meeting point for startups, investors, and companies.

Why it matters: - Mathew Knowles adds a high-profile business and brand-development voice to WMF – We Make Future, a major European event focused on artificial intelligence, technology, and digital innovation. - Knowles’ track record in brand building, cultural industries, and global growth gives WMF a speaker with crossover appeal for companies, startups, investors, and media audiences. - WMF is positioning the June 2026 edition as a large international gathering for innovation, business, and policy conversations.

What happened: - WMF – We Make Future named Mathew Knowles as a featured guest and guest of honor for its June 24-26, 2026 event at BolognaFiere in Bologna, Italy. - Knowles will take the Mainstage on June 25 and lead a session in one of the event’s thematic tracks. - The event is organized by Search On Media Group and supported by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Trade Agency, and the Emilia-Romagna Region. - BolognaFiere, CINECA, and the European Space Agency are among WMF’s collaborators.

The details: - Knowles is described as an entrepreneur, investor, advisor, and strategist who has generated over $5 billion across multiple industries. - His career includes sales and acquisition deals exceeding $100 million. - Knowles has worked with Pepsi, American Express, L’Oréal, Samsung, Amazon, and Walmart. - He is widely known for helping develop Beyoncé, Solange, and Destiny’s Child. - Knowles has used structured frameworks for building, positioning, and scaling personal brands and cultural projects globally. - He has been named a LinkedIn Top Voice and received the Master of Influence Award from the National Speakers Association. - Knowles holds academic roles at Pepperdine University and serves as Presidential Executive-in-Residence at Prairie View A&M University. - WMF said the 2025 edition drew more than 73,000 participants from over 90 countries, along with more than 700 exhibitors and sponsors and more than 3,000 startups and open innovation stakeholders. - WMF says its program spans 14 strategic sectors tied to technological, economic, and cultural transformation. - Knowles is expected to speak in areas including Entertainment & Cultural Industry, AI, Digital Business & Media, and Education & Work. - WMF says the event includes training sessions, business initiatives, and discussions centered on AI, digital transformation, and innovation. - The event’s partner network is described as managing a combined €1.5 trillion investment portfolio, more than €304 billion in assets under management, $72.8 billion in funded transactions, and over 17,000 investment rounds. - WMF describes itself as a certified international event and one of the leading gatherings for companies, startups, investors, and professionals in innovation, digital technologies, and AI. - WMF’s 2025 edition also included more than 1,000 speakers and guests and over 2,800 organized B2B meetings. - Saudi Makes Future, the Saudi edition of WMF, is planned for Dec. 14-16, 2026, in Riyadh at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center. - Search On Media Group says Saudi Makes Future will be structured across 14 strategic sectors and aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. - Search On Media Group was founded in 2004 and says it works on digital culture, innovation, consulting, and event production. - The company also operates Hybrid.io, a platform for online, hybrid, and on-site events.

Between the lines: - WMF is using Knowles to reinforce a broader message: innovation events now compete not just on technology, but on recognizable leaders who connect business, culture, and media. - The speaker mix suggests WMF wants to bridge AI and digital transformation with brand strategy, creative industries, and education. - The event’s scale and international statistics are meant to signal that Bologna remains a serious hub in Europe’s innovation calendar.

What’s next: - Knowles is scheduled to appear on June 25, 2026, at BolognaFiere. - WMF runs June 24-26, 2026, in Bologna. - Search On Media Group is also preparing Saudi Makes Future for December 2026 in Riyadh. - WMF will likely continue announcing speakers and thematic sessions ahead of the June event.