In brief
On October 31, the three‑day iENA International Invention Fair opened in Nuremberg, displaying nearly 600 inventions from over 20 countries with a strong focus on green technology, AI and sustainable solutions. Viewers saw a wide range of innovations in environmental protection, energy, mobility and IT, and the event is set to host an Innovation Congress on November 2 to discuss AI and collaborative innovation. Organizers say the fair aids inventors in turning concepts into marketable products through connections with partners.
On Saturday, October 31, the 2026 iENA international invention fair opened in the southern German city of Nuremberg, unveiling nearly 600 inventions from more than 20 countries and regions over a three‑day event.
Attendees were greeted with a broad spectrum of solutions, with green technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable ideas dominating the exhibitor booths. Environmental protection and energy technologies were highlighted as key pillars, while sections on mobility, electrical engineering, information technology, teaching and research created a multi‑disciplinary showcase.
About 98 percent of the inventions are being presented to the public for the first time in Nuremberg, the organisers reported, underscoring the fair’s role as a launchpad for fresh ideas. The bulk of these innovations come from start‑ups and research institutions that have reached a development stage where real‑world deployment is imminent.
The accompanying programme places AI front and centre, offering workshops and panels that examine how artificial intelligence can accelerate product development and improve sustainability outcomes across industries. Because the fair took place in Germany, a country known for its commitment to environmental policy, attendance included a sizable number of policymakers and industry leaders interested in the intersection of technology and the climate crisis.
Following the exhibition, the Nuremberg Innovation Congress will convene on November 2, where participants will explore AI and collaborative innovation. The congress is designed to take lessons from the fair’s showcase and translate them into actionable business strategies.
Henning Koenicke, managing director of exhibition organiser AFAG, said
“The fair reflects issues currently concerning both business and society,” Koenicke said. “iENA provides an opportunity to connect with research partners and companies that can help bring their inventions to market.”
Koenicke added that the event’s longstanding history, having been founded in 1948, positions it as a trusted platform for inventors to evaluate commercial potential and receive feedback from potential customers and collaborators.
Over the three days, visitors registered an average of 4,500 visitors per day, including students, academics, industry executives and the general public, all eager to learn about the latest advances that could reshape their work and daily lives. The fair’s open‑access policy ensures that newcomers and seasoned professionals alike can explore the collection with equal ease.
Besides the fair’s showcase, organizers launched a digital companion that leverages AI to recommend inventions to participants based on their interests. The tool can scan the exhibit catalog and match technologies to user profiles, thereby increasing engagement and facilitating discovery of niche or emerging solutions.
Looking forward, iENA hopes to boost the number of first‑time exhibitors in future years to sustain a pipeline of fresh, green‑friendly inventions. The fair’s success demonstrates an accelerating momentum within the tech community toward sustainability and AI integration, setting a tone for the forthcoming era in product development and market engagement.
