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Venture Day
Europe at Speed: Scaling Beyond Borders
VERBUND X Venture Day
Join us on October 20 for the third VERBUND X Venture Day!
This year, we are excited to welcome you to a new location at the renowned Vienna University of Economics and Business, a hub for innovation, research, and forward-thinking minds.
Under the theme “Europe at Speed: Scaling Beyond Borders,” the event offers an exclusive setting to explore critical questions around clean tech investments and innovation. Together with our partners, we will present a diverse and interactive program designed to exchange knowledge, expand networks, and uncover new business opportunities.
Don’t miss the chance to connect with pioneers and thought leaders shaping the future of sustainable innovation.
What to expect
Exchange
Share insights, discuss market trends, and explore new ideas around innovation, clean tech investments, and scaling solutions across Europe.
Scale
Discover opportunities to grow beyond borders. Explore collaborations, partnerships, and investments that help turn promising innovations into scalable businesses.
Highlights
- Keynotes from leading VC, energy, and innovation voices
- Panels, Hot Takes and Fireside Chats on scaling Cleantech across Europe
- Hands-on deep-dive sessions with sector experts
- Startup Booths for in-depth exchange
- Networking opportunities to build strategic partnerships and explore potential investments
- Pre-Dinner with limited spots
- Stay tuned more will be announced soon
Program
Here’s a first look at the program – more to come soon
8:30 Arrival & Breakfast
Coffee, Croissants and positive energy to kick things off.
Opening Remarks
Franz Zöchbauer, Michael Strugl, Rupert Sausgruber and Jens Schneider
Keynote
More information will follow soon.
Data Sovereignty as Europe´s Growth Engine
Robert Jozic
Owning the Future: From Resilience to Scalable Innovation
Michael Strugl and Robert Jozic
Break
Power up with coffee, snacks, and great conversations
Keeping European Innovation in Europe
Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer
Fireside Chat
More information will follow soon
Deep Dives
Stay tuned for our Deep Dives on topics like Quantum Computing, Energy & AI…
Lunch
Refuel, relax, and connect over lunch before the afternoon sessions begin
Debrief Deep Dives
More information will follow soon
Beyond the Gap: Opportunities to unlock growth capital
Josemaria Siota
Europe´s Race to Scale: What will it take to win?
Lisa Smith, Marie-Helene Ametsreiter, Alois Flatz, Stefan Kuentz
Startup Booth and Break
Take a break, explore the startup booths, and discover innovative ideas shaping the future of clean tech
Next Steps: What Action is needed to build successful scale-ups in Europe?
David Simmonds, Alexander Schwartz and Martin Ohneberg
Keynote
More information will follow soon
15:00 Closing
End of Venture Day 2026
Speakers
First speakers announced – more to come soon
Magnus Agerström
Managing Director of Cleantech Scandinavia
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter
General Partner at Speedinvest
Luca Bauer
Investment Associate VERBUND X Ventures
Melanie Bild
Investment Manager ENBW New Ventures
Alois Flatz
Growth Equity Investor, Partner at Diretissima
Florentine Gruber
Innovation Manager at VERBUND
Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer
Federal Minister of Economy, Energy, and Tourism
Robert Jozic
Executive Vice President Digital Strategy & Ecosystems @ Schwarz Digits
Stefan Kuentz
Managing Partner Swisscom Ventures
Crispin Leick
Managin Director EnBW New Ventures
Lukas Pölz
Venture Portfolio Development Manager VERBUND X Venture
Martin Ohneberg
CEO HENN Connector Group
Rupert Sausgruber
Rektor WU Wien
Peter Daniel Schiff
Investment Manager VERBUND X Ventures
Jens Schneider
President TU Wien
Alexander Schwartz
Partner at Xista
David Simmonds
Chief Strategy, Sustainability and Governance Officer of CLP
Josemaria Siota
IESE
Lisa Smith
Co-Founder and Chair of the Board of Prewave
Katharina Stiedl
Innovation Managerin at VERBUND
Michael Strugl
CEO, VERBUND
Felix Tiefenbacher
CEO and co- Founder at zerohird
Rudolf Zauner
Senior Innovation Manager at VERBUND
Franz Zöchbauer
Managing Director, VERBUND X
"VERBUND X Venture Day proved that Europe doesn't just have the ideas, it has the people ready to build the future."
Contact
Do you have any questions about VERBUND X Venture Day?
Contact us:
Sara Toth
Josefine Gruber