Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) brought back Innovation Park for its 2026 edition. Building on the success of 2025, this expanded initiative in Congress Square directly connected investors with transformative startups, maximising investment opportunities.
Innovation Park was a dynamic marketplace where startups, buyers and investors were able to come together to explore the future of AV and systems integration. If you were looking for high-growth investment opportunities or innovative solutions ready for implementation, Innovation Park was where ideas and opportunities met. At ISE, we have always championed innovation and challenged expectations, and Innovation Park was the perfect example of how we continue to go beyond the present to find tomorrow’s solutions, explained Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events.
More opportunities to ‘Push Beyond’
Alongside startups and first-time exhibitors at ISE, the participation criteria for Innovation Park also included companies returning after an absence of three years or more. To support this expansion, Innovation Park at ISE 2026 featured 130 exhibition pods.
Located at the centre of Congress Square, Innovation Park once again brought together the Pitching Stage, curated by startup incubator Plug and Play; the revamped Matchmaking Area, designed for strategic business connections; the Investor Forum, which took place on the first day; and a comprehensive programme of networking events for startups throughout the week.
Importantly, Innovation Park went far beyond its specific investor-focused features. It remained a key destination for AV buyers, integrators, distributors and decision-makers seeking market-ready solutions, emerging technologies and innovative approaches to real-world project challenges.
Investor Forum returned to ISE 2026
Following its inaugural success this year, the Investor Forum once again brought together innovators and the global investment community, including venture capital, private equity and corporate investors, for networking sessions, market insights and investment opportunities.
Held on the first day of ISE 2026, Tuesday 3 February, the Investor Forum explored the full company lifecycle, from early-stage startups to late-stage succession planning.
The Investor Forum at ISE 2026 highlighted progressive developments within the pro AV sector, providing broad insight for companies at every stage. A wide range of panels covered types of investment, from angel investors to corporate funding and M&A collaborations, as well as industry challenges and practical advice for startups. Other sessions explored government funding and shared experiences from recently funded organisations to support the entire ecosystem, commented Sean Wargo, Conference Chair and Principal of Apogee Insight LLC.
This half-day conference provided a unique platform for networking, learning and discovering the next wave of opportunities in the sector.
Driving innovation, talent and market-ready solutions
Innovation Park was not only a launch platform for emerging companies; it was also a valuable resource for AV buyers seeking early access to the most advanced tools, platforms and solutions entering the market. Throughout the week, attendees were able to discover deployment-ready technologies, meet founders and product specialists, and gain insight into the innovations shaping the future of the industry.
As a champion of emerging talent, ISE was proud to sponsor the AV Start Up of the Year award at this year’s AV Awards. The winner, Turtle AV, an Australian manufacturer specialising in AV-over-IP, was awarded a free turnkey stand at Innovation Park at ISE 2026, in addition to the opportunity to present at the Investor Forum. This enabled Turtle AV to showcase its solutions to more than 85,000 international attendees, including investors, integrators and decision-makers, ensuring visibility across the AV value chain.
