Agenda

Welcome Coffee

Join us for networking as we kick off a full day of meetings and programming.

Registration and Help Desk

Stop by to collect your badge or ask a question at any time during the day.

Setting the Stage for 2025+: The Key Trends in Cleantech

2025 has been a year of significant and fundamental change in the world order, as well as in the world of cleantech–something we all need to adjust to, both this year and beyond.

Cleantech Group will provide its perspectives on what has happened this year, and what we see as the topics, sectors, people, and trends to pay attention to in the future.

Scale or Fail: A Trade and Industrial Strategy for Europe’s Clean Industry

Europe faces a defining choice: to shape the clean industrial transformation or be shaped by it. Beyond climate policy and early-stage innovation, competing for a share of the $2 trillion global cleantech market will require Europe to scale the technologies it invents. The continent’s current “innovate at home, scale elsewhere” model is clashing with Europe’s ambitions to improve its competitiveness, become energy resilient and create jobs for its citizens. Securing Europe’s clean industrial future will demand a coherent strategy across industrial, financial, competition, and trade policy.

Join us for a debate around the strategic choices Europe must make to scale its clean technologies, and the risks if it fails to do so.

What the FOAK: How to Survive Scaling?

First-of-a-kind was treated as the summit—hard to fund, yes, but a green light to scale. Instead, Europe’s initial wave projects surfaced critical questions for capital-intensive climate deployment: Why is SOAK capital still elusive? Can we build repeatable pathways for bespoke projects? Are we aligning capital stacks with project needs? We’ll hear from innovators navigating the messy middle of deployment and experts funding these journeys on what it really takes to build capital-ready, execution-proof projects.

Co-hosted by: InnoEnergy

Innovation Showcase: Meet Some of the Cleantech 50 to Watch Part 1

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the first group of breakthrough companies selected for the prestigious and just released Cleantech 50 to Watch list. Learn from and connect directly with the founders deemed most likely to achieve major market impact in the next two years.

Hear from these disrupters driving foundational change across the climate economy, focusing on the future of hydrogen production, decarbonizing the built environment, and advanced materials & surface technology. Two of the Expert Panelists who worked on the list will be on hand to ask the innovators questions. 

Networking Break

Grab a coffee, schedule a meeting, or work the room to make new connections.

Powering Up Grid Technologies to Prevent Blackouts

As Europe faces increasing climate volatility and energy demands, ensuring grid resilience and preventing blackouts is paramount. This session will explore cutting-edge hardware and software innovations, from smart transformers to dynamic line rating and synthetic inertia solutions, that are crucial for fortifying Europe’s electricity networks. Join us to discover how these advanced technologies are enhancing transmission and distribution grids, building critical climate resiliency across the continent.

Bridging Continents: Accelerating Cleantech Innovation Between the EU and Latin America

As the EU and Latin America deepen their cooperation on the green transition, the opportunities for joint innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth have never been greater. With Latin America supplying critical raw materials and the EU advancing in clean technology and investment, both regions are uniquely positioned to drive the global green transition together. We’ll explore how recent EU-LAC agreements, platforms, and investment agendas are creating new pathways for collaboration—spanning raw material supply chains, digital accelerators, and innovation ecosystems. We’ll discuss how Spain, as a European gateway to Latin America, can catalyze these partnerships and showcase success stories of transatlantic cleantech ventures.

Innovation Showcase: Companies Redefining the Global Energy Landscape

This is your fast-track opportunity to meet early-stage companies redefining the global energy landscape and connect directly with the founders who are bringing breakthrough power solutions to market readiness. Meet companies that span the full energy value chain, presenting the crucial next steps toward a fully digitized and decarbonized grid—from next-generation hydrogen technologies to smart grid optimization and AI to e-mobility infrastructure. A special guest Investor Reviewer will be on hand to ask questions. 

From Lab to Lifeboat: How Deep Tech Is Building a Resilient Future

As successive heatwaves and intense wildfires redefine the European summer, adaptation is now as urgent as mitigation. This session moves beyond theory to showcase how deep technologies are becoming the critical tools for protecting European citizens, ecosystems, and infrastructure. We will zero in on the immediate business case for deploying resilience solutions across the continent, focusing on the acute threats of wildfire and extreme heat. Join us for a discussion with innovators who are leveraging safeguarding critical natural capital and investors whose focus is on key adaptation sectors. We’ll discuss the unique challenges inherent in scaling deep tech solutions across diverse European markets, ensuring equitable access and rapid deployment from the lab to real-world deployment.

Co-Hosted by: Cambridge Consultants

Decarbonizing European Road Transport

Join an interactive discussion on the state of decarbonizing road transport in Europe. Speakers will discuss opportunities and challenges in charging deployment and grid integration, innovative finance and public-private partnerships to support decarbonization initiatives and solutions, and strategies from global freight players to decarbonize transport-related value chains. 

Networking Lunch

As part of our sustainability efforts, we serve a plant-based menu at all forum meals to help reduce our environmental footprint while highlighting local produce and in-season products.

Scaling Sustainability: Insights from 10 Years of Cleantech Ventures

After a decade of investment peaks and valleys, the European cleantech ecosystem faces a critical moment to industrialize for the Net-Zero transition. This session distills ten years of successful venture strategies, revealing the proven financial models, regulatory navigation, and market tactics that enabled European innovators to bridge the “lab-to-market” gap and achieve deep, sustainable scale across the continent.

Co-Hosted by: Capricorn Partners

Iberia as a Testbed for Long-Duration Energy Storage: Unlocking Europe’s Energy Future

Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) is a cornerstone technology for balancing intermittency, stabilizing grids, and unlocking Europe’s decarbonization ambitions. Iberia combines the right conditions to become a living laboratory for these solutions: abundant wind and solar resources, strong political commitment, and rapidly advancing technologies with improving cost profiles. At the same time, critical barriers remain—insufficient grid capacity, weak interconnections with the rest of Europe, and regulatory frameworks that delay technological progress. This session will be an open debate on what can be done to support Iberia’s LDES deployment and how lessons learned in Iberia can be leveraged to advance European energy security and sovereignty.

Proof of Origin: Material Traceability as a Pillar of Climate and Circular Goals

Join us for a discussion on the critical role of material traceability as a foundational pillar for achieving ambitious climate and circular economy goals. We will explore current global focuses and rollouts, particularly within the EU, examining the mechanisms for ensuring compliance and the significant challenges that lie ahead in establishing robust proof of origin systems. Join us to understand how enhanced traceability can enable and accelerate ethical sourcing and climate commitments.

Decarbonizing Heat

Spain has one of the highest proportions of renewable energy in its power grid with great potential to decarbonize heat. In addition to that, the Spanish government is providing significant subsidies to some solutions, but the industry still embraces gas-fired solution despite relatively low power prices. Some industries, such as sugar beet production, have rejected industrial electrification entirely, while food & beverage industries are slowly exploring different options. We’ll discuss how do electrification solutions compare with gas. Also, how could potential new sources of load and supporting infrastructure contribute to grid stability?

Innovation Showcase: Meet Leading Innovators in Materials & Chemicals

Discover the next generation of industrial feedstock, construction materials, and molecular solutions in this rapid-fire showcase. This is your chance to meet the founders behind deep-tech companies that are fundamentally decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors and tackling the massive challenge of industrial emissions. Learn more about low-carbon industrial solutions, sustainable resource recovery  and bio-based manufacturing. Join us to see how these entrepreneurs are moving from chemical discovery to commercial, scalable industrial impact

Networking Break

Drawing Down the Impacts of Data Center Energy Demands

The rapid advancement and deployment of AI technologies have led to a significant surge in data center energy consumption. Join us to explore the multifaceted challenges and opportunities presented by this trend. What are the forecasts related to data center energy consumption? What percentage of planned data centers will be constructed? What innovative solutions can help reduce energy use and make the industry more sustainable?

Fortifying Infrastructure for Long-Term Resilience

Spain’s heroic recovery from the blackouts of May and last year’s tragic Valencia floods calls to the forefront the importance of fortifying infrastructure for long-term resilience. This session will unpack perspectives from those facing these challenges head-on, and will invite the audience to participate in a candid conversation about the innovation that will be necessary to achieve long-term resilience.

Understanding the IMO Net-Zero Framework: How Will It Impact Global Industries?

In April, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) passed the Net-Zero Framework, a legally binding regulatory response to meet Net Zero targets by 2050. The Framework includes emissions reduction mandates, fuel standards, and carbon penalties vessels that fail to meet established standards. Pending official approval in October, this will be the first global, industry-wide carbon tax. Now is the time to dig into the details of the Framework, the carbon pricing mechanism and credit trading allowances. Speakers will explore the environmental and economic impact on shipping companies, cargo owners, downstream corporates, and fuel/chemicals producers as well as new business opportunities and shifts in market dynamics.

You Can’t Mine for Time – Challenges and Opportunities to Accelerate Mining Projects Globally

Often considered one of the most conservative industries in the commodity world, both mining majors and innovators face long arduous approval timelines for anything relating to the mining industry. As a group, let’s take a brief look at the reasons behind this phenom, discuss what it’s going to take accelerate mining developments and where, if any, innovators have a shot at being a part of this world.

Sunset Reception

All are welcome to join us for an on-site reception. Our beautiful venue provides the perfect backdrop for us to fully immerse ourselves in the local Spanish culture—expect a lively celebration featuring incredible local food, signature drinks, and authentic music! Shuttles will be available into town after the reception so you can continue to enjoy the evening in Sitges in groups or on your own.

Co-Hosted by: Kipuka

Welcome Coffee

Join us for networking as we kick off a full day of meetings and programming.

Green Hydrogen’s Global Chill: Can Europe Take a Pioneering Role?

The enthusiasm around green hydrogen as a decarbonization “Swiss Army Knife” has cooled in the recent year with a wave of cancelled projects around Europe and the United States as the growth markets of green steel, distance transport, and aviation failed to come online. Add to this the recent U.S. cancellation of hydrogen hubs, we are left wondering where hydrogen can play a role in the global economy, and in which regions use cases can emerge.

Spain is aggressively leveraging strong European Commission support and significant public funding. With €1.2 billion dedicated to kick-starting the ecosystem, Spain has selected 16 major Hydrogen Valley projects to accelerate large-scale, regional production and is positioned to take the lead.

We will speak with a few of Spain’s energy giants, as well some innovators involved in various projects, and analyze what it takes for Europe to not only lead but sustain this advantage.

Integrating Fusion into the EU Energy Roadmap

Europe is the home to ITER, multiple fusion start-ups, as well as critical industrial players supplying critical components and services. Learn about the specific advantages Europe has in driving the fusion industry forward at a time when energy security and innovation are increasingly important. Various companies are gaining traction in the fusion space and accelerating novel and unique approaches to achieve fusion.

The Shift Beyond ESG

Traditional ESG frameworks were never designed to help organisations adapt, innovate, or lead in today’s volatile environment. This session offers a glimpse of the emerging future by showing what is the SHIFT beyond ESG — by connecting real-world challenges, shared knowledge, and peer insights, we use new systemic tools such as the LEAP Framework to make a lasting impact. Come to this session if you are interested in seeing that large systemic change is possible!

Co-hosted by: Climate KIC

Color Reimagined: Innovation in Sustainable Pigments

Join us for a conversation on how biology and material science are converging to redefine what color can be. We’ll explore how to create high-performance pigments without toxic chemicals, mining, or harmful environmental impact—and discuss the challenges and opportunities in scaling and adoption across industries.

Networking Break

Venture Capital and Term Sheet Clinic for Investors and Startups

Whether you are an investor looking to deploy capital in Europe, or a company looking to raise money from investors, this cool clinic is for you. Three partners from a leading international law firm will discuss recent trends in fundraising, valuations, exit processes and more!

Co-hosted by: Taylor Wessing

Innovation Showcase: Meet Some of the Cleantech 50 to Watch Part 2

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the second group of breakthrough companies selected for the prestigious and just released Cleantech 50 to Watch list. Learn from and connect directly with the founders deemed most likely to achieve major market impact in the next two years.

Hear from these disrupters focused on efficiency, resource recovery, and industrial materials–from critical resource recovery, advanced separation & filtration to sustainable chemical feedstocks. An Investor Reviewer will be on hand to ask questions.

EFuels for Maritime: Ammonia and Methanol

Both methanol and ammonia will be key to the future fuel mix for a low-carbon maritime economy. Join us to discuss key demand markets, use-cases, and innovation for each fuel, as well as market, technology, and regulatory barriers to uptake.

Networking Lunch

As part of our sustainability efforts, we serve a plant-based menu at all forum meals to help reduce our environmental footprint while highlighting local produce and in-season products.

Innovation Showcase: Solutions Driving the Circular Economy

Discover the next generation of solutions driving the Circular Economy, from advanced molecular sorting to industrial-scale feedstock transformation. Join us for rapid-fire presentations by innovators who are maximizing resource value and fundamentally changing how we manage waste. An Investor Reviewer will be on hand to ask questions.

Being Critical from A to Z: From Aluminum to Zirconium: A Look at the Minerals That Define Our Lives Today and Tomorrow

From smartphones to solar panels, critical minerals are the building blocks of our daily lives. Join speakers for a comprehensive view into the strategic minerals driving today’s economy and shaping tomorrow’s technologies. Let’s explore demand trends, supply risks, and innovation opportunities across the full periodic spectrum.

Flexibility: How to Solve the Iberian Power Problem and Help the Rest of Europe

When a Norwegian interconnector to the UK tripped, energy suppliers Octopus and Arenko were able to mobilize 1.5GW of BESS capacity in seconds, avoiding any system disruption. In stark contrast, in April this year cascading blackouts plunged the whole Iberian peninsula into darkness, bringing renewed attention to long-standing flexibility gaps and solutions like batteries, virtual power plants (VPPs) and other grid hardening technologies. Let’s explore innovation that could make the Spanish power system more resilient.

Closing the Loop: Innovations in Recycling for Critical Materials

From the ambitious recycling targets in the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act to hundreds of millions in investments and offtake agreements, the race to secure critical minerals is on. Around the world, startups are pushing the boundaries of circular innovation. Join us to explore the unique bottlenecks in critical mineral recycling and hear from the innovators developing solutions that could help Europe —and the world— build a secure, sustainable supply chain.

The Cleantech/National Security Nexus: Lessons from Ukraine

National security and cleantech have often operated in different innovation circles. Today, as energy and resource security rank higher on the priority lists of nations around the world, we see the role of cleantech in national security as more crucial than ever. Ukraine is showing the world in real time how multiple classes of cleantech are boosting national security in the most urgent of times. Join this session to hear from an expert driving Ukraine’s cleantech ecosystem, producing tangible successes and instructive cases for the world

Reception

Celebrate the week’s accomplishments and seize one last opportunity to connect with colleagues.