In brief
Around 600 inventions representing green innovation, artificial intelligence and sustainable solutions debuted in Nuremberg. Ninety‑eight percent of them were presented for the first time to the public in the city, and the event will host an Innovation Congress on November 2 to discuss AI and collaborative innovation.
On Saturday, the 2026 iENA international invention fair opened in Nuremberg, Germany, bringing together almost 600 inventions from more than 20 countries and regions. The event, expanding on decades of history since its founding in 1948, showcased a global range of new ideas and prototypes across several technical and societal fields.
The inaugural day saw a strong emphasis on green technologies and artificial intelligence, with exhibits highlighting breakthroughs in environmental protection, energy production and dissemination, as well as mobility solutions that aim to reduce carbon footprints. Beyond green themes, the fair covered electrical engineering, information technology, teaching tools, and research equipment in a way that highlighted the interconnectedness of modern innovation ecosystems.
Visitors were introduced to a vast portfolio of sustainable gadgets, from bio‑based materials to renewable‑energy storage devices, and AI‑driven services designed to optimize resource use. The organizers noted that the focus on sustainability reflects urgent global concerns raised by both business leaders and society at large. Items on display ranged from small‑scale solar converters for homes to large‑scale wind‑turbine prototypes aimed at integrating with existing power grids.
The event’s commitment to first‑hand exposure is evident: about 98 percent of the showcased inventions are appearing publicly in Nuremberg for the very first time. This high percentage underscores the fair’s role as a launchpad for inventors seeking critique, interest, and partnership opportunities from a broad audience of potential users and investors.
In addition to the three days of exhibitions, organizers are set to host the Nuremberg Innovation Congress on November 2. The congress will address topics that include artificial intelligence and collaborative innovation, fostering dialogue between researchers, companies, and the public on how to accelerate the transition toward greener technologies.
Henning Koenicke, managing director of the exhibition organizer AFAG, emphasized that the iENA fair is “an opportunity to connect with research partners and companies that can help bring their inventions to market.” He added that the fair mirrors issues that currently concern both business and society, and that iENA provides a platform for inventors to explore business opportunities and to receive feedback from potential users.
Overall, the Nuremberg iENA fair positioned itself as a hub for new technologies that promise to address environmental and societal challenges. By offering a space where inventors can present their work to a global audience and by convening an innovation congress dedicated to AI and collaboration, the event continues a tradition of fostering technology that serves both people and the planet.
