The Program of the Business and Innovation Hub to Be Held at WUF13 Has Been Announced
The 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), to be held in Baku on May 17–22, will introduce a new component — the Business and Innovation Hub — aimed at promoting innovative approaches in the housing sector.
Startup.az reports that through its dedicated program, the hub will highlight practical solutions, implementation methods, and partnerships covering the entire urban development value chain. It will support the development of responses to the global housing crisis within the framework of WUF13’s theme, “Housing for All: Safe and Resilient Cities and Human Settlements,” with a strong focus on innovation, investment, and implementation.
The main objectives of the Business and Innovation Hub are to demonstrate how housing solutions are implemented in practice and to create a platform for effective collaboration and coordination.
The program will bring together private sector representatives and other stakeholders working on innovative housing and essential service solutions.
As part of the hub, 15 sessions titled “Urban Development Value Chain in Practice” will be held on the main stage.
These interactive sessions will showcase how sustainable urban development and adequate housing are being advanced through real-world projects and experiences led by partners, companies, and business associations.
Reflecting the diversity of the private sector, the hub will include large corporations, SMEs, startups, and business associations, while also highlighting new approaches related to innovation, technology, and urban development challenges.
The hub will also encourage exchange among cities, investors, and practitioners, helping transform ideas into implementation-driven approaches and strengthening cooperation across the urban development value chain.
Support for Startups and Emerging Players
The Business and Innovation Hub will also feature a dedicated Startup Pavilion, providing a special space for newly established companies and young entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations.
The pavilion will host 14 startup projects selected from 10 countries around the world, aiming to amplify the voices of emerging players and spotlight scalable ideas addressing both housing and urban development challenges.