Maker Faire Rome 2025: Call to Innovators
Europe’s biggest playground for innovation is back—Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition celebrates its 13th year from 17–19 October 2025 beneath the dramatic Gazometro Ostiense skyline. Applications are already open, but the clock is ticking: submit your project by 23 June 2025 to secure a free, fully-equipped booth and a front-row seat at Europe’s largest showcase of maker ingenuity.
Whether you’re a solo hardware hacker, a classroom of budding engineers, or a university research team pushing the boundaries of STEM, Maker Faire Rome delivers instant visibility, hands-on feedback, and access to investors from 40+ nations—all without exhibition fees. Share your breakthrough, inspire thousands, and join a community that has welcomed more than 800,000 visitors since 2013.
Why Maker Faire Rome Matters
Heritage & Impact
Since its debut in 2013, Maker Faire Rome has welcomed more than 800,000 visitors and hosted 7,000+ exhibitors, cementing its status as Europe’s go-to stage for breakthrough ideas.
Innovation Hub
It remains the continent’s largest showcase where prototypes meet investors, corporates, and media—turning passion projects into funded ventures.
Venue Spotlight
All of this unfolds at the industrial-chic Gazometro Ostiense, a dramatic 1930s gasometer turned innovation district that gives the faire its unmistakable skyline.
2025 Open Calls at a Glance
| Call | Who Can Apply | Project Themes | Key Benefits | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makers 2025 | Individuals, teams, startups | Robotics, AI, IoT, agritech… | Free booth, option to run demos | 23 Jun |
| Schools 2025 | EU secondary schools (14–18) | Creativity, STEM challenges | Booth, possible travel support | 23 Jun |
| Universities & Research 2025 | State HEIs, public institutes | STEM & creative R&D | Booth, industry networking | 23 Jun |
Call for Makers 2025
The flagship Call for Makers 2025 invites individual inventors, project teams, and early-stage startups from every corner of the globe. If your passion project lives at the intersection of robotics, AI, IoT, agritech, wearable tech, sustainability, or 3D printing, this is your stage.
- Eligibility: Anyone aged 18+ with a working prototype or demonstrable concept.
- What’s included: A fully-equipped stand (tables, chairs, power, Wi-Fi), signage, and the option to run hands-on workshops or live demos.
- Cost: Zero—exhibition space is 100% free for selected makers.
“Showing my open-source robot at Maker Faire Rome connected me with suppliers and an angel investor in one weekend.”
— 2024 Exhibitor, Robotics Category
Call for Schools 2025
Secondary schools across the EU can showcase student ingenuity through the Call for Schools 2025, turning classroom projects into public inspiration.
- Team size & age: Groups of 2–10 students, aged 14–18, plus a teacher mentor.
- Project focus: Creativity, STEM problem-solving, sustainability challenges, or community impact.
- Travel support: Schools located outside the Rome metro area may apply for travel and accommodation bursaries to offset costs.
- On-site perks: Free booth space, student showcase slots, and the chance to attend peer-led workshops.
Call for Universities & Research 2025
The Call for Universities & Research 2025 welcomes state universities, public research centres, and academic spin-offs ready to turn lab breakthroughs into real-world impact.
- Who should apply: Research labs, spin-off companies, PhD candidates, and interdisciplinary teams.
- Fields of interest: Advanced materials, bio-engineering, circular economy, creative coding, AI-driven research, and more.
- Knowledge exchange: Dedicated networking sessions connect researchers with industry partners, investors, and policy makers.
- Benefits: Free exhibit booth, option to present papers or posters, and direct feedback from technical audiences.
How to Apply
- Register
Head to the Maker Faire Rome Calls Portal and create your profile. - Submit Your Project
Fill in the form with a concise description, upload photos / video, and specify any power or space requirements. - Confirmation
A technical jury reviews submissions on a rolling basis. Expect an admission email by late July 2025 if selected.
Have questions? Check the FAQ on the portal or email makers@makerfairerome.eu.
Partner Opportunities
Looking to position your brand at the centre of Europe’s innovation ecosystem? The separate Call for Partners is open until 10 September 2025, offering bespoke sponsorship packages that connect you with thousands of makers, educators, and investors onsite and online.
- Sponsor tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Headline Partner options—each with escalating benefits.
- Branding: Logo placement on signage, stage backdrops, website, and event app.
- On-site activations: Host a branded lounge, run product demos, or sponsor a challenge that spotlights your tech.
- Networking perks: VIP passes, speaker slots, and curated introductions to startups and research teams aligned with your focus areas.
Download the partnership deck or discuss a custom package:
Explore Partner Packages Email the Partnership Team
Benefits Beyond the Booth
- Investor Access: Meet venture capitalists, angel investors, and accelerators from 40+ countries hunting for the next breakthrough.
- Market Testing: Gather real-time feedback from thousands of tech-savvy visitors, refine your product, and validate demand before scaling.
- Media & Community Spotlight: Secure coverage across mainstream outlets, social channels, and the maker press—see Electromaker’s 2024 recap for a taste of the buzz.
In short, Maker Faire Rome isn’t just an exhibition—it’s a launchpad that propels prototypes into products, ideas into ventures, and creators into celebrated innovators.
Plan Your Visit
The Gazometro Ostiense complex sits just south of Rome’s historic centre, making it easy to reach by public transport or eco-friendly options:
- By Train/Metro: Ride the Freccia-line B metro to Piramide or hop off regional trains at Roma Ostiense; the venue is a 10-minute walk.
- Bus & Tram: Routes 23, 30, and 715 stop on Via Ostiense. Look for event signage directing you toward the gasometer structure.
- Cycle & E-Scooter: Dedicated bike lanes follow the Tiber River; parking docks for scooter-share schemes sit by the main gate.
- Car-Free Bonus: Show a public-transport ticket at registration and get a free Maker Faire tote—while supplies last!
Where to Stay
From stylish hostels in Testaccio to riverside hotels in Trastevere, the surrounding districts offer accommodation for every budget. Check Rome’s official visitor portal for curated lodging lists and eco-certified options.
Tip: Book early—Maker Faire weekend overlaps with peak autumn tourism, and rooms fill fast.
Stay Connected
Join the conversation: #MFR2025 | #MakerFaireRome
Plus: #Innovation #STEM #Startup #TwinTransition
Last Chance to Apply
⏰ Deadline Alert: Applications close on 23 June 2025. Don’t miss your chance to showcase at Europe’s largest innovation playground.
Know a maker, student, or researcher with a brilliant project? Share this article across your networks and help them get on stage at Maker Faire Rome 2025.
Have questions or feedback? Drop a comment on the Electromaker Discord and join the conversation!
Residing on the south coast of England, Rich has spent the last few years building Electomaker.io from the ground up. He is usually found behind a laptop coordinating the rest of the EM team and occasionally finding time to contribute articles to the blog. When not tapping away at a laptop, he can be found either paddleboarding, at the beach, playing golf (badly), or camping with his family.
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