IBTM Ignite is bringing a growing pool of $4m in potential investment together with ambitious startup businesses, as its mentoring and workshop programme prepares founders for introductions to investors at IBTM World.
Delivered in partnership with specialist consultancy allpoints, Ignite is moving through its onboarding phase, with more investors joining and a greater pot to pitch for. Early work with participating businesses is revealing ideas across the event experience, from live AI interpretation, such as Voicefrom AI, to event operations technology, including KNO Events’ tools for managing budgets, suppliers and logistics.
In audience engagement, businesses such as Bridged Media are helping organisers turn interest into registrations and commercial opportunities. Always Friday combines AI agents with event specialists to simplify corporate event planning and delivery, while platforms such as Sessionboard help teams coordinate speakers, submissions and programmes.
As well as supporting the acquisition and onboarding of the investor community, allpoints is delivering the mentoring and workshops for the start-ups already on the Ignite programme. The team is helping founders strengthen their propositions and prepare for conversations with investors whose experience spans building, backing, acquiring and exiting businesses.
Max Fellows, Founder and CEO of allpoints, said: “We’re discovering some brilliant businesses through the mentoring and workshops. Getting to know these founders and seeing how they’re tackling problems across our industry has been really exciting.
“As we work together on their propositions and pitches, that potential becomes clearer. I know our investors will be delighted by what they see. With $4m in potential investment there’s a tremendous opportunity to make connections that help these businesses grow.”
Ignite will once again match participating businesses with relevant investors, alongside opportunities to meet customers and commercial partners. Future Stage pitching, the Ignite Lounge and access to the buyer diary will connect founders with the international industry community attending IBTM World in Barcelona, 17–19 November 2026.
Claudia Hall, Exhibition Director, IBTM added, “The quality of the start-ups this year has been excellent, and they represent a real diverse view of the future of the industry. We’re already getting really positive feedback from the onboarding, and we know the investors will be delighted with the businesses on show. It looks like a really strong programme.”
Places on the Ignite programme remain available for now, with interested startups and scale-ups invited to contact the IBTM World team as preparations continue.
