Ideas for tomorrow are born today: The iENA Inventors’ Fair starts on Saturday in Nuremberg

Nuremberg – From clever everyday aids and sustainable technologies to artificial intelligence applications in medicine, transport and environmental technology: the international trade fair “Ideas – Inventions – New Products” (iENA Nuremberg) brings innovations to life and makes them tangible. For 78 years, it has offered inventors from all over the world a platform to present their developments to an international audience, make contacts and tap into new markets.

Once again this year, iENA is underlining its status as an international meeting place for the inventor community: delegations, research institutions and individual inventors from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and other regions are presenting their innovations in Nuremberg. For the first time, a large delegation from Hong Kong is taking part in the event. At the same time, participation from Thailand is growing significantly. The partner for iENA 2026 is Saudi Arabia. Particularly impressive are the young inventors, who demonstrate that innovative thinking can begin at an early age. Among those taking part are young inventors from, amongst others, the South Württemberg Pupils’ Research Centre (SFZ), the Maristengymnasium in Fürstenzell and the Apian-Gymnasium in Ingolstadt, as well as winners of the ‘Jugend forscht’ competition.

The managing directors of the trade fair organiser AFAG, Henning and Thilo Könicke, are eagerly looking forward to welcoming the international inventors to this year’s iENA: “iENA brings together people who not only have new ideas, but are actively working on solutions for the future and demonstrating great innovative spirit in the process. It is precisely in times of major technological and social change that we need platforms where innovations can be showcased and international collaboration can flourish. Thus, even in its 78th year, iENA remains the meeting place for ideas, inventions and new products, and is therefore a platform for innovation and visions of the future."

Saudi Arabia as a partner of iENA 2026

Saudi Arabia is a partner of iENA 2026: the country is making targeted investments in future technologies and regards innovation as a key component of economic development. This includes developments across a range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, environmental technologies and digital applications. Professor Dr Mohammed Ali Al-Ghamdi, organiser of the Saudi Arabian participation, sees the collaboration as an important step towards international knowledge transfer: “It is a great honour for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be a partner of iENA 2026. The trade fair is one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for innovation and offers excellent opportunities for exchange between inventors, research institutions and companies.”

Ideas meet investors and markets

iENA is far more than just an exhibition of inventions. It brings inventors together with investors, companies, manufacturers, licencees and experts from the worlds of business and science. Many of the innovations on display are being presented to the public for the first time here. For many projects, iENA is the first step towards market launch, collaboration or licensing. Participants receive support from, amongst others, the German Patent and Trade Mark Office and the German Inventors’ Association, which provide information on intellectual property rights, patents and marketing opportunities.

Experience innovation first-hand

A distinctive feature of iENA is the direct contact with the people behind the ideas. Visitors can speak to the inventors in person, learn about the background to the developments and try out many innovations right there on the spot. As the event is held in parallel with the Consumenta consumer fair, a unique link is forged between trade visitors and end consumers. Here, innovations come face to face with potential users and receive valuable feedback from real-world experience.

The Innovation Conference and Hack & Make complement iENA

The iENA will be accompanied by the Nuremberg Innovation Conference on 2 November 2026. Experts from business, academia and industry will gather there to discuss innovation management, technology trends and successful strategies for implementing new ideas. Running alongside the trade fair is the Hack & Make creativity and technology festival. The festival is aimed at makers, developers, creative minds and technology enthusiasts of all ages. Workshops, talks and hands-on activities invite visitors to try out technologies, learn new things and bring their own ideas to life.

About iENA

The international trade fair “Ideas – Inventions – New Products” (iENA) is one of the world’s longest-established inventors’ fairs. Since 1948, it has been showcasing innovations from a wide variety of sectors and offering inventors an international platform for exchange, networking and marketing. Every year, several hundred inventions and new products are presented in Nuremberg.