Highlights of The Business Booster 2023 by EIT InnoEnergy
EIT InnoEnergy hosted The Business Booster 2023 on 18–19 October in Amsterdam. With representation from over 1500 delegates and 150 portfolio companies, the event witnessed participation from startups, investors, students, policymakers, and industry partners from over 40 countries. The event encapsulated key developments and insights.
Here are some highlights from the two vibrant days dedicated to green innovations:
1. Keynote Speeches Outline the Vision
Diego Pavia opened the event with an analytical overview of the market dynamics for climate technologies, highlighting the European Union’s strategic goal to cater to 40% of the Green Deal’s demand by 2030.
Bertrand Piccard, representing Solar Impulse, underscored the imperative of energy efficiency and judicious resource utilization.
Day two was illuminated by insights from Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President at the European Commission, focusing on ‘competitive sustainability’.
He articulated Europe’s ambition to lead in the cleantech sector. The subject of battery manufacturing and its supply chains also took center stage, with an emphasis on stringent environmental standards.
2. Skills Institute: Pioneering Green Skill Development
In the epoch of rapid transitions toward sustainable practices, the importance of specialized education and training cannot be emphasized enough.
At The Business Booster 2023, the Skills Institute made its formal introduction, marking a significant stride in addressing the skills shortage that the green economy faces.
To learn more about the Skills Institute, please contact us for the brochures: hubturkey@innoenergy.com
Panel Discussion — Addressing the Skill Gap:
One of the critical highlights of the Skills Institute’s presence at TBB 2023 was the panel discussion titled “Labour: Skills Shortage for the New Green Economy”. Sponsored by ManpowerGroup, it drew insights from industry leaders like Sailesh Lalla from NIIT, Riccardo Barberis from ManpowerGroup, Frank Menchaca from SAE International, Oana Penu from the Skills Institute itself, and Henning Ehrenstein from the European Commission.
The session revolved around the pressing challenges of talent shortages in the green sector. Panelists concurred that while the transformation to a net-zero economy promises increased job opportunities, there’s an immediate need for a skilled workforce to drive this transition. The discussion shed light on the potential of the sector, emphasizing that the right conditions and frameworks are vital to harness this potential to its fullest.
The Director of the InnoEnergy Skills Institute encapsulated the mission succinctly:
“Discovering the niches that could emerge into the talent market is crucial. But this cannot be a solitary endeavor; collaboration with a trusted ecosystem is indispensable.”
3. Sabancı Holding’s Parallel Session on Financing Green Innovations
Sabancı Holding, marking its premiere as a sponsor from Türkiye for The Business Booster, hosted an enlightening session called “Capital: A new way to finance green innovations and industry wanted!” which addresses the nuances of financing green innovations. The goal was to discern collaborative solutions that merge both public and private investments toward sustainable projects.
The panel discussion brought together thought leaders, each with their own expertise, to dissect the challenges and opportunities in green finance. The participants included:
- Jacqueline van den Ende, CEO, Carbon Equity
- Daniel Goldman, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Clean Energy Ventures
- Tim van Pelt, Global Lead Batteries & Charging, ING
- Gökhan Eyigün, Strategy and Business Development Group President, Sabancı Holding
- Martin Koch, European Commission, Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN)
- Roel van Diepen, Investment Director, Benelux, EIT InnoEnergy
4. Spotlight on Portfolio Companies
The Business Booster 2023 wasn’t just a platform for discussions; it was also a stage for innovative companies to shine. Over 150 portfolio companies showcased their groundbreaking solutions, pitched their visions, and fostered connections with investors, corporates, and policymakers.
Among the many pitches, five startups stood out, advancing as finalists and showcasing their unique solutions with passion and precision. These finalists were: EcoBean, Elestor B.V., HSL Technologies (HySiLabs), Nevomo, X1 Wind.
The results from the pitching session are as follows:
- 1st Place: Nevomo
- 2nd Place: Elestor B.V
- 3rd Place: X1 Wind
Looking Ahead: Join Us in Barcelona for TBB 2024
As we reflect on the fruitful discussions, innovative pitches, and collaborative energies of TBB 2023, we’re already gearing up for next year.
We’re thrilled to announce that The Business Booster 2024 will be held in Barcelona on 16–17 October. To ensure you secure a spot at this premier sustainable business event, you can pre-register now. Don’t miss out on what promises to be another groundbreaking gathering!
Pre-register for TBB 2024
See you in Barcelona!
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