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: This is the future of the Bioeconomy by Frédéric Van Gansberghe, CEO at FUTERRO SA + Peter Wehrheim, European Commission, DG RTD
  
  
• 11:15-11:30 Coffee Break
  
  
• 11:30-13:20 Panels: Shaping the Future of Bioeconomy - The Path Forward
  
  Dr. Piret Fischer, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI (session moderation)
  
  
  1. 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,
     Michael Lösch, European Commission, DG AGRI (tbc)
     Maarit Nyman, European Commission DG GROW (tbc)
     
     Dr. Bärbel Hüsing (moderation)
     
     
  2. International Competitiveness 
     ShapingBio presentation by Dr. Sven Wydra, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
     
     Panel discussion:
     Tomasz Calikowski, European Commission, DG-RTD (tbc),
     Verle Vandeweerd, former Director Environment and Energy UNDP/UNEP
     Geert Maesmans, Cargill Group R&D Leader
     
     Dr. Sven Wydra (moderation)
     
     
  3. ShapingBio presents results on Higher Innovation Level across EU
     ShapingBio presentation by Dr. Sven Wydra, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
     
     Panel discussion:
     Adrian Leip, European Commission, DG-RTD (tbc),
     Barna Kovacs, PhD, BioEast Initiative
     George Sakellaris, Bioeconomy Hub Czech Republic
     
     Dr. Sven Wydra (moderation)
     
     
     
• 13:20-14:50 Lunch Break and 1-1 Matchmaking sessions
  
  
• 14.50-16.20 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
     Adrian Enache, European Investment Bank (tbc)
     
     
     
  3. Scaling-Up: Role of Open-Access Pilot and Demonstration Plants 
     
     Stef Denayer, BBEPP
     Additional presenter (tbc)
     
     
     
     
• 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