Innovation Park Returns to ISE 2026: A Platform for Startup Growth

Innovation Park, a pivotal initiative within the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) exhibition, is set to make its return at ISE 2026, following a successful inaugural event in 2025. This platform is specifically designed for ambitious startups looking to showcase their innovative solutions, connect with industry leaders, and secure investment opportunities. The application process is now open for startups eager to participate in this unique business hub, which will be centrally located in Congress Square at Fira Barcelona.

The first edition of Innovation Park featured 80 promotional pods where selected startups presented their groundbreaking ideas to a high-value audience. Each participating company was carefully chosen based on criteria aligned with ISE's mission to foster innovation and industry relevance. The event provided a vibrant environment that catalyzed future growth for many startups, featuring not only exhibition spaces but also a dedicated Pitching Stage, Matchmaking Area, and an exclusive Investor Forum on the opening day.

Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events, emphasized the importance of Innovation Park in shaping the future of the audiovisual (AV) industry. He stated, "Innovation Park was created to support emerging talents in the AV community. The enthusiasm on the floor and the quality of the partnerships demonstrated this platform’s importance in shaping our industry’s future."

Among the participants, Treble Technologies from Iceland showcased advanced acoustic simulation and spatial audio tools, allowing engineers to analyze sound behavior in various environments. Senior Marketing Specialist Guillaume Demerliac noted, "Innovation Park was a fantastic opportunity for Treble Technologies to showcase our groundbreaking advancements. Participating in the Investor Forum panel allowed us to share insights on navigating growth from initial concept to acquisition."

Similarly, AVGator Inc., a US-based specialist in AV integration solutions, highlighted the rising demand for intuitive user interface (UI) development tools. CEO Vadim Chekirka remarked, "ISE 2025 was a fantastic opportunity to connect with forward-thinking professionals shaping the future of AV technology. The growing interest from manufacturers in providing software solutions alongside their hardware opens new doors for innovation."

Digital Signal AV, another US participant, reported exceeding its performance expectations during the event. Senior Global Sales and Business Development Executive Daniel LeCour stated, "Innovation Park has proven to be a great way for small startup companies like Digital Signal AV to increase awareness and meet potential clients and partners from around the world."

Tecom Electronics Ltd. from Israel also benefitted from the event, showcasing innovations for hybrid classrooms and receiving positive feedback from industry leaders. COO Efrat Elitzur commented, "ISE provided the perfect stage to showcase our latest innovations for immersive classrooms."

The diversity of exhibitors at Innovation Park underscores ISE’s ability to bring together innovators from various sectors. Gaëlle Dubois from Losonnante in France shared how the event helped him expand his professional network and secure quality leads. He stated, "ISE marked a significant step for Losonnante, allowing us to meet producers, integrators, and distributors to discuss potential new applications for our bone conduction sound device."

Moreover, Igor Murphy from Hive Streaming reported substantial connections during the event, stating, "During ISE, we connected with 21 partners and 12+ clients from eight different countries, making it an incredibly valuable event for us."

The inaugural Innovation Park also recognized several startups through award schemes, including Best of Show product awards. Eamon Drew from Turtle AV highlighted the event’s impact, mentioning that their participation led to new distributors and systems integrators, and they won three Best in Show awards for their new products.

Looking ahead to ISE 2026, the expansion of Innovation Park to host 144 startups promises even more opportunities for emerging ventures to pitch, connect, and grow. Interested startups are encouraged to apply now to be part of this dynamic environment supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. Applications are open, and further information can be found on the official ISE website.