Mathew Knowles to appear at WMF in Bologna

By AI, Created 10:35 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Mathew Knowles will be a featured guest at WMF – We Make Future in Bologna on June 25, bringing his brand-building experience to the AI and digital innovation event. The appearance adds a high-profile name to a 2026 program that organizers say is designed to connect companies, startups, investors and policymakers.

Why it matters: - Mathew Knowles brings a track record in brand development, entertainment, and global business to one of Europe’s biggest tech and innovation gatherings. - WMF is using Knowles’ presence to strengthen its focus on AI, digital transformation, and cultural industries. - The appearance puts a well-known figure behind Beyoncé, Solange, and Destiny’s Child in front of an international audience of companies, startups, and investors.

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

The details: - Knowles is described as an entrepreneur, investor, strategist, and advisor who has generated more than $5 billion across multiple industries. - Knowles has led sales and acquisition deals exceeding $100 million. - His corporate work has included collaborations with Pepsi, American Express, L’Oréal, Samsung, Amazon, and Walmart. - Knowles is widely recognized for helping develop Beyoncé, Solange, and Destiny’s Child. - Knowles has used structured frameworks to build, position, and scale personal brands and cultural projects. - Knowles 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’s 2025 edition brought together more than 73,000 participants from over 90 countries in Bologna. - WMF 2025 also included more than 700 exhibitors and sponsors and more than 3,000 startups and open innovation stakeholders. - The 2026 event is structured around 14 strategic sectors tied to technological, economic, and cultural transformation. - Knowles is expected to speak to the Entertainment & Cultural Industry, AI, Digital Business & Media, and Education & Work tracks. - WMF describes itself as a certified international event focused on artificial intelligence, technology, and digital innovation. - WMF says its partner network includes organizations managing a combined €1.5 trillion investment portfolio, €304+ billion in assets under management, $72.8+ billion in funded transactions, and more than 17,000 investment rounds.

Between the lines: - WMF is pairing celebrity-level cultural influence with its business and innovation agenda to broaden the event’s appeal. - Knowles’ role suggests the conference wants more overlap between AI, media, brand strategy, and entrepreneurship. - The event’s scale and institutional support position WMF as more than a trade fair; it functions as a meeting point for business, policy, and startup dealmaking. - The announcement also helps set up the event’s international profile ahead of its June 2026 opening.

What’s next: - WMF continues June 24-26, 2026, in Bologna, with additional speakers, sessions, and business programming expected. - Knowles’ June 25 appearance will likely be one of the event’s headline moments. - Search On Media Group is also advancing Saudi Makes Future, the Saudi edition of WMF, set for Dec. 14-16, 2026, in Riyadh. - Saudi Makes Future will take place at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center and is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. - Search On Media Group says Saudi Makes Future will mirror WMF’s structure with a stronger AI focus across 14 strategic sectors.

The bottom line: - WMF is betting that Mathew Knowles’ blend of entertainment credibility and business experience will sharpen its pitch as a global forum for AI, innovation, and brand growth.