Connect
Meet founders, researchers, investors and politicians in an exclusive setting at WU Wien. Build meaningful connections that can spark future collaborations.
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
8:30 Arrival & Breakfast
Coffee, croissants, and positive energy to kick things off.
Opening Remarks
Rupert Sausgruber | Rector WU Wien
Jens Schneider | President TU Wien
Franz Zöchbauer | Managing Director VERBUND X Ventures
Keynote: EU Startup Strategy: Europe’s Strategic Chance for Global Leadership
Angela Wilkinson | CEO World Energy Council
Keynote: Data Sovereignty as Europe´s Growth Engine
Robert Jozic | Executive Vice President Digital Strategy & Ecosystems Schwarz Digits
Panel: Owning the Future: From Resilience to Scalable Innovation
Robert Jozic | Executive Vice President Digital Strategy & Ecosystems Schwarz Digits
Achim Kaspar | COO VERBUND
Jade Robinson | Co-Founder Linq Photonics
Angela Wilkinson | CEO World Energy Council
Break
Power up with coffee, snacks, and great conversations
Keynote: Keeping European Innovation in Europe
Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer | Federal Minister of Economy, Energy, and Tourism
Fireside Chat: The Realities Behind Scaling: A Founder–Investor Fireside Chat
Genna Boyle | CCO & Head of EMEA at Gridcog
Crispin Leick | Managing Director EnBW New Ventures
Deep Dives
Built to Be Bought: Why Europe Needs More Exits – and How Founders Get There
Procurement as a Catalyst: Unlocking Europe’s Market Potential
Quantum Security Protecting Critical Infrastructure
Betting on the Future – Building a Venture Mindset
Lunch
Refuel, relax, and connect over lunch before the afternoon sessions begin
Debrief Deep Dives
VERBUND X Team
Keynote: Beyond the Gap: Opportunities to unlock growth capital
Josemaria Siota | Executive Director IESE Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Hot Takes: Founders, Funders & the Fight for European Scale
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter | General Partner Speedinvest
Alois Flatz | Partner Direttissima
Lisa Smith | Co-Founder and Chair of the Board Prewave
Startup Booth and Break
Take a break, explore the startup booths, and discover innovative ideas shaping the future of clean tech.
Panel: Making It Real: How Europe Turns Innovation into Scale
Stefan Kuentz | Managing Partner Swisscom Ventures
Alexander Schwartz | Partner Xista
David Simmonds | Chief Strategy, Sustainability and Governance Officer CLP
Keynote: From Agility to Scale: Rewriting the Rules of European Energy
Greg Jackson | Founder and CEO Octopus Energy
15:30 Closing
End of Venture Day 2026
Speakers
Magnus Agerström
Managing Director Cleantech Scandinavia
Marie-Helene Ametsreiter
General Partner Speedinvest
Luca Bauer
Investment Associate VERBUND X Ventures
Melanie Bild
Investment Manager ENBW New Ventures
Genna Boyle
CCO & Head of EMEA at Gridcog
Alois Flatz
Partner Direttissima
Klaus Grössinger
Managing Partner Onsight Ventures
Florentine Gruber
Innovation Manager VERBUND X
Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer
Federal Minister of Economy, Energy, and Tourism
Greg Jackson
Founder and CEO Octopus Energy Group
Robert Jozic
Executive Vice President Digital Strategy & Ecosystems Schwarz Digits
Achim Kaspar
COO, VERBUND
Lucía Keijer-Palau
Director on the Growth team Generation Investment Management
Stefan Köppl
Managing Partner Samira Advisors
Stefan Kuentz
Managing Partner Swisscom Ventures
Crispin Leick
Managin Director EnBW New Ventures
Lukas Pölz
Venture Portfolio Development Manager VERBUND X Venture
Maximilian Prüfer
Quantum Researcher ISTA
Tanja Reiter
Innovation Manager VERBUND X Ventures
Jade Robinson
Co-Founder Linq Photonics
Rupert Sausgruber
Rektor WU Wien
Peter Daniel Schiff
Investment Manager VERBUND X Ventures
Jens Schneider
President TU Wien
Alexander Schwartz
Partner Xista
David Simmonds
Chief Strategy, Sustainability and Governance Officer CLP
Josemaria Siota
IESE
Lisa Smith
Co-Founder and Chair of the Board of Prewave
Katharina Stiedl
Innovation Managerin VERBUND X
Michael Strugl
CEO, VERBUND
Felix Tiefenbacher
CEO and co-Founder zerothird
Benedikt Weissenberger
Investment Associate VERBUND X Ventures
Angela Wilkinson
CEO World Energy Council
Hannah Wundsam
Managing Director AustrianStartups
Rudolf Zauner
Senior Innovation Manager VERBUND X
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