DesignWanted Relaunches Ideas for Business Award 2026 with Market-Focused Jury
DesignWanted has announced the return of its Ideas for Business (IFB) Award for 2026, aimed at bridging the gap between designers and the industry via a product and industrial design competition. The event features a panel of esteemed judges, including Matteo Battiston, Begüm Tomruk, Stefania Sighinolfi, and Raffaella Mangiarotti, evaluating submissions across categories such as Home Furniture & Living and Tech Devices & Appliances. Entries will be accepted starting September 15, with key deadlines on October 15 and December 31. The shortlist will be revealed in January 2027, followed by the announcement of winners in February.
Key facts
- DesignWanted announced the Ideas for Business (IFB) Award 2026, a product and industrial design award.
- The award has two tracks: Market Ready (products commercially available for less than 3 years) and Vision (concepts not yet in production).
- Four categories: Home Furniture & Living, Lighting, Office & Workspace, and Tech Devices & Appliances.
- Jury includes Matteo Battiston, Begüm Tomruk, Stefania Sighinolfi, and Raffaella Mangiarotti.
- Projects scored on six criteria (1-5 each), maximum 30 points.
- No automatic upfront fee; submissions reviewed before payment link is sent.
- Submissions open September 15, early bird deadline October 15, final deadline December 31.
- Shortlist announced January 2027; winners expected February 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Matteo Battiston
- Begüm Tomruk
- Stefania Sighinolfi
- Raffaella Mangiarotti
- Patrick Abbattista
- Anna Lazzaron
- Carlo Bergui
- Elia Cais
- Michele Cordonatto
- Eleonora Cotti
- Vladislav Ganzen
- Brent De Meulenaere
Institutions
- DesignWanted
- EssilorLuxottica
- Marantz
- Bowers & Wilkins
- Classé
- Smeg
- Raffaella Mangiarotti Studio
- Bundle Studio
- Estudio Gris
- Ideas for Business Award
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Barcelona
- Spain