- 4YFN has been held in parallel with MWC since its inception in 2014.
- 4 Years From Now has become a benchmark for the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- In the 2026 edition, Telefónica will be present at 4YFN.
4YFN: what it is
4YFN can be defined as one of the leading events for the international entrepreneurial ecosystem, bringing together technology startups, investors, corporations, and public institutions to jointly generate commercial agreements and/or synergies.
The acronym 4YFN refers to 4 Years From Now, as a way of finding out how startups and the entrepreneurial ecosystem will change in the medium term.
Origin of 4YFN
Launched in 2014 in parallel with the MWC, as it continues to develop today, this event has established itself as a benchmark for entrepreneurship.
Promoted by Mobile World Capital Barcelona, 4 Years From Now has established itself as a leading force in the startup ecosystem by promoting new companies.
The GSMA, as the organizer of MWC, collaborates with 4YFN by fostering collaboration across the connectivity ecosystem and driving global innovation.
As mentioned above, 4YFN is associated with and shares a location with MWC Barcelona, the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event. This support generates synergies that extend beyond the event itself.
What are the objectives of 4YFN?
As stated on its website, 4 Years From Now pursues a number of objectives.
On the one hand, it is a fast track to raising funds, as projects can be presented to venture capital funds or business angels, among others.
Likewise, the volume of attendance at MWC means that the potential audience is extremely high, with a global reach that provides worldwide visibility.
Furthermore, being able to participate in debates not only on the technology of the future, but also on market disruptions or the strategies that will shape the industry in the future, serves to learn and share knowledge.
Global networking is another possibility offered by 4YFN, as it allows participants to establish contacts with investors, potential partners, or other innovators from anywhere in the world.
Telefónica and 4YFN
As in previous editions, Telefónica will participate in 4YFN in 2026.
Specifically, Wayra is celebrating its 15th anniversary in Barcelona as a meeting point between start-ups and Telefónica’s business.
With the slogan “Investment is just the beginning. Growing together is the goal”, Wayra is attending 4YFN with a total of 26 start-ups with the aim of identifying, investing in and bringing the most innovative solutions to the operator’s business.
Since its creation in 2011, Wayra has accumulated an investment of €260 million in more than 1,200 startups and currently has an active portfolio of more than 520, of which more than 200 collaborate with the Telefónica Group and generate a combined turnover of more than €700 million.
