In brief
The iENA fair in Nuremberg kicks off with nearly 600 inventions from over 20 countries, emphasising green technology, artificial intelligence, and sustainable solutions. Organisers highlighted that 98% of the displays are firsts for the public in Germany and announced a March 2 Innovation Congress to discuss AI and collaborative innovation. Henning Koenicke of AFAG said the fair reflects current business and societal issues and offers a platform for researchers and companies to bring inventions to market.
On Saturday, the 2026 iENA international invention fair opened in Nuremberg, Germany, featuring close to 600 inventions from more than 20 countries and regions. Organisers said that roughly 98 percent of the exhibits are being presented to the public for the first time in Nuremberg, positioning the fair as a showcase for green technologies, artificial intelligence, and other sustainable solutions.
The event places environmental protection and energy technologies in the foreground, while other fields such as mobility, electrical engineering, information technology, teaching, and research also receive significant attention. Exhibitors include startups and established firms from across the globe, each demonstrating how their innovations could help address pressing global challenges. According to AFAG, the fair will serve as a platform for investors, industry partners, and academic researchers to encounter new concepts and explore commercial collaborations.
Notably, the majority of the inventions on display are being unveiled for the first time to the public. Event organisers, according to the Xinhua report, emphasised that this level of novelty offers companies an opportunity to secure early‑stage feedback from a broad audience of potential users and stakeholders.
Artificial intelligence takes a prominent place in the programme. Alongside the exhibition, organisers are planning an accompanying Innovation Congress, scheduled to begin on November 2. The congress will bring together experts to discuss the role of AI in fostering collaborative innovation and to build a dialogue between technology developers and end‑users.
Henning Koenicke, managing director of exhibition organiser AFAG, said that the fair “reflects issues currently concerning both business and society.”
The fair reflects issues currently concerning both business and society.
Koenicke added that iENA provides an opportunity to connect with research partners and companies that can help bring inventions to market. The event’s founders have maintained relevance since its establishment in 1948, and the 2026 edition aims to continue presenting the latest global innovations to businesses and the public alike.
By the marketplace, iENA’s longevity and expansive reach position it as a key venue for technology transfer. Attendees can expect to see demonstrations of emerging green and AI‑driven technologies that could set new industry standards. The event is open to the public, with free access for many of its exhibits, giving both innovators and consumers a chance to engage directly with leading‑edge solutions.
With the Innovation Congress on the horizon, the fair marks a crucial moment for stakeholders seeking to merge cutting‑edge science with real‑world application. The Nuremberg installation will remain active until early November, inviting visitors to explore how the world’s smartest inventions could shape the next decade of sustainable development.
