CIRQUEL at MWC & 4YFN 2026: Where innovation, purpose and people meet
Each spring, Barcelona becomes the global epicenter of technology, entrepreneurship and industry transformation as it hosts Mobile World Congress (MWC) and 4YFN (Four Years From Now) - two of the most influential gatherings for startups, scaleups, corporates, investors and policymakers worldwide. The 2026 editions once again brought together tens of thousands of attendees from across the globe to explore the technologies and business models shaping our collective future.
MWC is widely regarded as the world’s most important connectivity and mobile technology congress, while 4YFN serves as its startup-focused platform - a space where emerging ventures meet capital, partners and customers. For startups, being present is more than visibility; it is a strategic opportunity to engage directly with global ecosystems, test ideas in real time, and build relationships that accelerate growth far beyond the event itself.
CIRQUEL at MWC 2026 in Barcelona
What CIRQUEL focused on
CIRQUEL was proudly represented by our co-founders Anna Warchalowska (CEO) and Carlos Blanco (CTO). For us, this year’s congress came at a particularly pivotal moment. As we prepare to open our pre-seed funding round in April 2026, the event offered a powerful platform to strengthen market presence, validate our value proposition, and expand our network of partners and supporters.
Anna Warchalowska and Carlos Blanco at 4YFN 2026 in Barcelona
Our agenda centered on the themes most critical to CIRQUEL’s mission:
- Venture building in the age of AI
- Circularity and sustainability as core business infrastructure
- Supply chain transformation and reverse logistics innovation
- Practical applications of AI across operational and industrial ecosystems
- The growing leadership and influence of Women in Tech
Beyond learning, we engaged in high-value conversations with potential clients, explored proof-of-concept opportunities with corporates, connected with fellow startups for ecosystem synergies, and received strong interest from venture capital funds and business angels. The congress proved to be not only an inspiration hub but also a catalyst for tangible business momentum.
Meaningful side events & ecosystem connections
Some of the most valuable moments happened beyond the main stages, in curated side events that fostered deeper, more authentic dialogue. CIRQUEL participated in gatherings including:
- HER/O Breakfast hosted by HearstLab & Norrsken
- MWC Night by Antai Ventures, Earlybird VC, JME Ventures, PSG Equity & Microsoft for Startups
- Don’t Pitch, Connect @ 4YFN networking meetup
- Financial Times x Bain & Company innovation forum
- Stripe AI Monetization Workshop
- AVOW x Xiaomi “Sip & Sizzle” Supper Club
- Norrsken After-Hours & Art Exhibition
These environments encouraged honest exchange, practical insights and long-term relationship building across founders, investors, operators and corporate leaders.
Because innovation is built by people
As many speakers echoed throughout the week, technology and strategy alone do not move industries forward - people do. Behind every company, product and investment decision are individuals building trust, sharing knowledge and collaborating across borders.
The spirit of MWC & 4YFN reinforced a simple truth: innovation accelerates where human connection meets shared purpose. We were honoured to meet and reconnect with founders, programme leaders, ecosystem builders, venture partners and corporate innovators who are shaping the next generation of responsible technology and sustainable industry.
Team CIRQUEL at the MWC and 4YFN
What’s next?
MWC & 4YFN 2026 marked an energising milestone in CIRQUEL’s journey - but it is only the beginning of an exciting year ahead.
As we move into our fundraising phase and continue advancing our AI-powered circular logistics solutions, we look forward to sharing more milestones, partnerships and product updates soon.
👉 Stay tuned to our blog for upcoming announcements and deeper insights into CIRQUEL’s roadmap.