Join us for a groundbreaking summit where top experts, policymakers, and industry leaders unite to shape the future of Europe’s bioeconomy.

Why attend?

✔ Exclusive insights from renowned speakers & policymakers
✔ High-impact discussions on scaling & financing bioeconomy initiatives and cross-sectoral collaborations
✔ One-on-one matchmaking with key stakeholders

Let’s align efforts, foster innovation, and secure Europe’s leadership in the global bioeconomy.

Limited spots available – Don’t miss out!

When & where?

📅 25 JUNE 2025, 10:00am - 5:00pm

📍 Thon Hotel EU, Rue de la Loi 75, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

💻 If you’re unable to join us in Brussels, you can join us online for the morning session

Preliminary agenda

• 10:00-10:30 Registration and Welcome Coffee
  
  
• 10:30-10:35 Welcome and Opening by ShapingBio project coordinator, Dr. Sven Wydra, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
  
  
• 10:35-11:15 Keynote speeches: 
  
  Keynote speech 1: This is the future of the Bioeconomy
  by Frédéric van Gansberghe, CEO at FUTERRO SA 
  
  Keynote speech 2: A new Bioeconomy Strategy
  by Peter Wehrheim, European Commission, DG RTD
  
  
• 11:15-11:55 Panels: Shaping the Future of Bioeconomy - The Path Forward
  
  Dr. Piret Fischer, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI (session moderation)
  
  
  • Coherent Strategic Approach to the Bioeconomy 
    ShapingBio presentation by Dr. Bärbel Hüsing, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
    
    Panel discussion:
    Agata Kotkowska, European Commission, DG ENV
    Wim Haentjens, European Commission, DG RTD
    Maarit Nyman, European Commission, DG GROW
    Orsolya Frizon Somogyi, European Commission, DG AGRI
    
    Dr. Bärbel Hüsing (moderation)
    
    
• 11:55-12:10 Coffee Break
  
  
• 12:10-13:20 Panels: Shaping the Future of Bioeconomy - The Path Forward
  
  Dr. Piret Fischer, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI (session moderation)
  
  
  • International Competitiveness – Scale up, Speed up, Demand Pull and Financing Options 
    ShapingBio presentation by Dr. Sven Wydra, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
    
    Panel discussion:
    Tomasz Calikowski, European Commission, DG-RTD (tbc),
    Dr. Veerle Vandeweerd, former Director Environment and Energy UNDP/UNEP
    Geert Maesmans, Vice President R&D Cargill Food EMEA
    
    Dr. Sven Wydra (moderation)
    
    
  • Higher Innovation Level across EU
    ShapingBio presentation by Dr. Sven Wydra, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
    
    Panel discussion:
    Wim Haentjens, European Commission, DG RTD,
    Barna Kovacs, PhD, BioEast Initiative
    George Sakellaris, Bioeconomy Hub Czech Republic
    
    Dr. Sven Wydra (moderation)
    
    
• 13:20-14:30 Lunch Break and 1-1 Matchmaking sessions
  
  
• 14.30-16.20 Competitiveness of the EU Bioeconomy Innovation Chain
  
  Dr. Tanja Meyer, BBEPP (session moderation) 
  
  
  1. Fostering Cross-Sectoral Collaboration 
     
     Dr. Piret Fischer, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
     Mariana Pauperio, Blue Bio Alliance, Portugal
     
     
     
  2. Enhancing Public & Private Financing 
     
     Milena Garthley, Techtour
     Arnout Dijkhuizen, Astanor Ventures
     
     
     
  3. Scaling-Up: Role of Open-Access Pilot and Demonstration Plants 
     
     Stef Denayer, BBEPP
     Dr. Juliette Forneris, Director International Centre DTI
     
     
     
• 16:20-16:30 Closing remarks by ShapingBio project coordinator Dr. Sven Wydra, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
  
  
• 16:30-17:00 Afternoon Coffee Break