A Perspective on European Innovation & Resilience

Join us for an evening of high-level dialogue on European innovation and resilience, organised by students from Sciences Po, INSEAD, and HEC Paris, in collaboration with Fondation Biermans-Lapôtre and the Flemish Representation in France.
We are bringing together leading voices from the startup ecosystem, major industry, policy, and science to discuss how Europe can strengthen competitiveness and build long-term resilience. Following the keynotes, please join us for a networking cocktail with speakers, students, and professionals from the Paris region.
The Speakers
•⁠ ⁠Erwin Verstraelen (VP Innovation, Port of Antwerp–Bruges) Erwin leads the digital and sustainable transformation of one of Europe’s largest port clusters. He brings practical insight on driving industrial resilience through AI, autonomous technologies, renewable energy, and smart logistics.
•⁠ ⁠Stijn Christiaens (Co-founder, Collibra) As a co-founder of the data governance unicorn Collibra, Stijn shares lessons on scaling tech innovation, the role of data in decision-making, and how startups navigate digital transitions.
•⁠ ⁠Stefan De Loecker (Former CEO, Beiersdorf & Nestlé) A veteran corporate leader in global consumer goods, Stefan reflects on strategies for resilience in international markets and translating R&D into competitive advantage.

•⁠ ⁠Thomas Hertog (Cosmologist, KU Leuven) A renowned theoretical physicist and long-time collaborator of Stephen Hawking, Thomas will discuss the Einstein Telescope and the link between fundamental science and European breakthroughs.
Supported by: Fondation Biermans-Lapôtre,Diplomatic Representation of Flanders in France and Fayat Scholarships (Flemish Government).

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Host or Publisher Fondation Biermans-Lapôtre