Food Tech Innovations: Connecting Europe's Living Labs
About this Event
After two years of collaboration, cross-border learning, and hands-on innovation, the SIXFOLD project is coming together for its closing conference. This two-day event brings the Food Tech Living Lab network to the heart of the Dutch agri-food region to reflect on what has been achieved, celebrate the expansion of our European community, and set the course for what comes next. The conference gathers Living Lab practitioners, researchers, policymakers, clusters, and food tech companies from across Europe to explore how our network of Living Labs can continue to thrive — and how it can serve as a model for accelerating innovation in the food sector. Whether you've been part of the SIXFOLD journey from the start or are discovering our network for the first time, this is the place to connect, learn, and shape the future of food tech innovation in Europe.
Practical Information
Location Day 1 takes place at the Fletcher Hotel in Helmond, conveniently located next to the Bodec facility. Day 2 continues in Helmond before moving to the Noordkade innovation district in Veghel.
Getting There The venue is easily accessible from both Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam) and Eindhoven Airport. A direct train connects Schiphol to Helmond station in under two hours. From Eindhoven Airport, take bus 400 to Eindhoven Central Station and then the train to Helmond Centraal Station (approximately 49 minutes). Tickets can be paid with a contactless debit card directly on board — no advance booking needed.
Accommodation We recommend staying at the Fletcher Hotel in Helmond, located right next to the Day 1 venue.
Who Should Attend?
This conference is designed for everyone with an interest in food tech innovation and Living Lab ecosystems — from Living Lab managers and food tech companies to researchers, regional government representatives, cluster organisations, and European network members. We are expecting 60 to 70 participants for an engaged and dynamic gathering.
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Day 1 — From Living Labs to a European Network
Tuesday, 22 September 2026 | Fletcher Hotel, Helmond
The first day focuses on the outcomes and impact of SIXFOLD. We will look back at the journey of our Living Labs, share the key barriers we identified and the breakthroughs we achieved, and open a conversation about how individual Labs can form a stronger, more connected European network.
Highlights include:
• An introduction to the SIXFOLD project: objectives, achievements, and key learnings
• Highlights from study visits and Living Lab activities across partner countries
• A gallery walk showcasing all participating Living Labs — with videos and posters
• A panel discussion on the joint Action Plan for the European Living Lab network
• A celebration of the new organisations joining the network through Memoranda of Understanding
• Networking drinks and dinner
Day 2 — Innovation in Practice
Wednesday, 23 September 2026 | Bodec (Helmond) & Noordkade (Veghel)
The second day takes us out of the conference room and into the labs themselves. We travel to two iconic food tech locations in the Dutch Brainport region for an up-close look at innovation in action.
Morning: Visit to Bodec in Helmond — one of the region's leading food technology Living Labs
Afternoon: Transfer to Noordkade in Veghel for lunch and a visit to the QING Food Automation Living Lab, hosted at the Chocolate Factory
Closing reflections, remarks, and networking drinks
Funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe’s European Innovation Ecosystems (HORIZON.3.2)programme, grant agreement No 101158281. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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