The Speakers
Suzanne Zamany ANDERSENCEO, NitroVoltDisrupting Industry - Clean Solutions for Hard-to-Decarbonize Sectors
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present solutions driving industrial transformation through electrification, low-carbon production, and innovative materials – the carbon-neutral future of heavy industry starts here.
Shiv BHAKTACEO, Active SurfacesPowering Tomorrow – Breakthroughs in Clean Energy Generation and Storage
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present innovative solutions for renewable energy generation, energy storage, and battery lifecycle technologies – the building blocks of a resilient, decentralized energy future.
Susanna CAMPBELLChairman & Co-Founder, Syre Panel: Disrupting Industry – The Challenges of Scaling Innovation
An engaging conversation exploring the gap between early-stage innovation and full-scale commercial deployment. Industry pioneers and successful entrepreneurs share insights on scaling challenges, regulatory hurdles, and the support systems needed to transform European startups into global leaders. The discussion examines how Europe can create conditions for innovation to flourish at scale, showcasing the role BMW Foundation’s RESPOND program can play in this.
Susanna CAMPBELL
Susanna Campbell is a business builder, investor, advisor, and experienced board member/chairperson with a long background in private equity investing. She has spent the last nine years focusing on scaling green transition companies based in Scandinavia. She is co-founder and chairman of Syre, aiming to hyperscale production of circular polyester textiles. She also serves on several boards, including scale-ups Stegra (green steel), Evroc (cloud services) and Network of Design (NOD). She is also Senior adviser at Norrsken VC, one of the leading European impact VC funds.
Michelle CAPOID Co-Founding Partner, Blume Equity Panel: Disrupting Industry – The Challenges of Scaling Innovation
An engaging conversation exploring the gap between early-stage innovation and full-scale commercial deployment. Industry pioneers and successful entrepreneurs share insights on scaling challenges, regulatory hurdles, and the support systems needed to transform European startups into global leaders. The discussion examines how Europe can create conditions for innovation to flourish at scale, showcasing the role BMW Foundation’s RESPOND program can play in this.
Michelle CAPOID
Michelle is co-founding partner of Blume Equity, a climate tech growth equity firm with offices in London and Amsterdam. Blume Equity invests in European software, services and asset-light hardware businesses that increase efficiency and climate resilience. She has spent the last 20+ years as a venture capital and private equity investor and has made over 30 investments.
Throughout her career, Michelle has been working closely with founders and management teams to scale up their operations and accelerate value creation. She was previously a partner and Investment Committee member at Mid Europa Partners, a leading mid-market buyout firm focused on Central and Eastern Europe. At Mid Europa Michelle invested in high growth companies across a broad range of sectors and pursued several buy-and-build strategies.
Michelle started her career in investment banking at Merrill Lynch, where she advised clients in energy and power. Michelle holds a BSc in Economics from Wharton and is a Swedish citizen.
Pablo CASTELLANOS RAMELLICo-Founder, BATxPowering Tomorrow – Breakthroughs in Clean Energy Generation and Storage
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present innovative solutions for renewable energy generation, energy storage, and battery lifecycle technologies – the building blocks of a resilient, decentralized energy future.
Anne-Laure DE CHAMMARDMember of the Executive Board and Executive Vice-President, Siemens EnergyOpening Keynote – Europe in the World
How can Europe navigate competition and collaboration while maintaining its values and democratic principles? Speakers examine the geopolitical landscape, rising importance of technological sovereignty, and the imperative for European unity to sharpen Europe´s global economic and geopolitical competitive edge.
Anne-Laure DE CHAMMARD
Anne-Laure de Chammard holds a Master of Public Administration at Harvard and Master’s degrees in science and engineering from French Grandes Ecoles.
She started her career in the USA, as a strategy consultant with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Before joining Siemens Energy, Anne-Laure de Chammard was CEO of ENGIE Energy Solutions International (€4 billion turnover, 20,000 employees, in over 20 countries, in Europe, Americas, Middle East, and Asia Pacific), in charge of decarbonization of industries and territories through energy efficiency services and low-carbon energy production.
Now she is a member of the Executive Board of Siemens Energy. As Group EVP, she heads one of the 4 global divisions, the "Transformation of Industry" global business area, supporting industries throughout their energy transition (€5 billion turnover, 14,000 employees, in over 60 countries). She is also responsible transversally for the Europe and Asia Pacific Regions (€20 billion revenue, 55 factories and 70,000 employees in 60 countries).
She is also a Board Member of Renault Group, a multinational automobile manufacturer.
Alexander DE CROOFormer Prime Minister of Belgium (2020-2025)Between Collaboration and Competition
Beyond the Economics, Stupid! Advancing European Prosperity
Leaders from business, policy, and civil society engage in an open dialogue about what it really takes to advance European prosperity in a fragmented global economy and amidst growing populism.
Alexander DE CROO
Alexander De Croo (born 1975) served as Prime Minister of Belgium from 2020 to February 2025, steering the country through one of its most challenging periods in recent history. Leading a broad coalition government, he played a crucial role in managing Belgium’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing large-scale vaccination efforts and economic recovery measures.
Prior to his tenure as Prime Minister, De Croo was Belgium’s Minister of Finance and Development Cooperation (2014–2020). As Deputy Prime Minister (2012–2020), he played a key role in economic policymaking and Belgium’s contributions to the European project.
Before entering politics, De Croo built a career as an entrepreneur. In 2006, he founded a company specializing in intellectual property consultancy, where he served as CEO until 2009. A firm believer in innovation and digital transformation, he brought a results-oriented mindset to public service.
De Croo holds a business degree from Solvay Business School in Brussels and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago.
Christoph GEBALDCo-Founder, ClimeworksDialogue Session – Closing the Carbon Loop
An intimate fireside chat about one of Europe's most significant opportunities: shaping the future of zero-carbon economies. This session explores how Europe can turn climate challenges into competitive advantages through innovative technologies and business models that close the carbon loop, creating sustainable economic growth.
Christoph GEBALD
Christoph Gebald is the co-founder and co-CEO of Climeworks, a global leader in high-quality carbon removal, combining decades of expertise in Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology with holistic carbon removal solutions. Climeworks is creating a clear pathway to making carbon removal a reality by offering diversified portfolios of high-quality carbon removals across engineered and nature-based solutions.
With more than 15 years of experience in direct air capture, Christoph is considered an expert and among the creators of this growing and crucial industry. In 2023, he was recognized by TIME among the 100 most innovative leaders driving business climate action. Christoph has given keynotes and spoken on panels at high level global events such as the World Economic Forum, COP and Microsoft’s CEO Summit. For three years in a row, he has been selected as a Digital Shaper by Swiss newspapers, BILANZ and Handelszeitung.
Christoph is a mechanical engineer by training, holding a master’s degree with distinction, and a Ph.D. from ETH Zurich. During his Ph.D. he researched direct air capture technologies and founded Climeworks on this basis together with Jan Wurzbacher in 2009. As co-CEO, Christoph oversees the financial, commercial, project development, communications and human resources side of the business.
Paolo GENTILONIFormer EU Commissioner for the Economy; Former President of the Council of Ministers of ItalyBeyond the Economics, Stupid! Advancing European Prosperity
Leaders from business, policy, and civil society engage in an open dialogue about what it really takes to advance European prosperity in a fragmented global economy and amidst growing populism.
Paolo GENTILONI
Paolo Gentiloni served as European Commissioner for Economy from 2019 to 2024. He previously served as Prime Minister of Italy (2016–2018), Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (2014–2016), and Minister of Communications (2006–2008). As of December 2024, he serves as Co-Chair of the UN Group of Experts on the Debt Crisis. He is also a Nonresident Distinguished Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe and Adjunct Professor at Università Cattolica in Milan.
From 2001 to 2019, Gentiloni was a member of the Italian Parliament. During his tenure, he served as Chairman of the Broadcasting Services Watchdog Committee (2005–2006) and as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee (2013–2014). Earlier in his career, he worked as a professional journalist and served as Councillor for the City of Rome (1993–2000). He was among the 45 founding members of the Democratic Party (Partito Democratico – PD), leading it as President from 2018 to 2019. Born in 1954, Gentiloni graduated in Political Science from Sapienza University of Rome. His most recent book is La sfida impopulista (“The (Un)populist Challenge,” Rizzoli). He is a columnist for La Repubblica.
Herbert HAINERPresident, FC Bayern Munich; former CEO of Adidas-GroupBetween Collaboration and Competition
Herbert HAINER
Herbert Hainer, born on 3 July 1954 in Dingolfing, is one of the most influential figures in German business and sport. After studying business administration at Landshut University of Applied Sciences, his career took him from Procter & Gamble to sportswear manufacturer adidas, where he held various management positions from 1987 onwards. From 2001 to 2016, Hainer was CEO of the adidas Group and shaped the company into one of the world's leading sporting goods manufacturers. Under his leadership, adidas continued to grow economically while standing for authenticity, innovation and social commitment.
His passion for sport and his management expertise led him to succeed Uli Hoeneß at the helm of FC Bayern in 2019, where he had been a fan since his teenage years and where he now serves as president and chairman of the supervisory board, with a view beyond men's football to women's football and FC Bayern basketball. At the German record champions, Hainer stands for serious, long-term business management and family cohesion – always balancing sporting success, economic stability and social responsibility.
With a clear eye for current challenges such as diversity, sustainability and digitalisation, Herbert Hainer provides important impetus – not only for FC Bayern: he combines economic thinking with a deep understanding of the role of sport as a social force.
Manuel HEITORCenter for Innovation, Tech. and Policy Research, Univ. of Lisbon; Former Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education of PortugalBeyond the Economics, Stupid! Advancing European Prosperity
Leaders from business, policy, and civil society engage in an open dialogue about what it really takes to advance European prosperity in a fragmented global economy and amidst growing populism.
Manuel HEITOR
Manuel Heitor is a professor at Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) the engineering school at the University of Lisbon. He served as Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education for the Government of Portugal in 2015-2022 and as Secretary of State from 2005 to 2011. In 2023 he was appointed by the European Commission to chair the Expert group for the interim evaluation of the Horizon Europe programme.
Stephan HERRMANNCEO & Co-Founder, ReverionPowering Tomorrow – Breakthroughs in Clean Energy Generation and Storage
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present innovative solutions for renewable energy generation, energy storage, and battery lifecycle technologies – the building blocks of a resilient, decentralized energy future.
Anne LAMPFounder & CEO, traceless materialsPanel: Disrupting Industry – The Challenges of Scaling Innovation
An engaging conversation exploring the gap between early-stage innovation and full-scale commercial deployment. Industry pioneers and successful entrepreneurs share insights on scaling challenges, regulatory hurdles, and the support systems needed to transform European startups into global leaders. The discussion examines how Europe can create conditions for innovation to flourish at scale, showcasing the role BMW Foundation’s RESPOND program can play in this.
Anne LAMP
Dr. Anne Lamp is CEO and Co-Founder of traceless materials, a Hamburg-based company on a mission to tackle global plastic pollution and drive the transition to a circular economy. With a PhD in process engineering and deep expertise in biorefinery processes, Anne combines technical know-how with strategic leadership. Her work is driven by a commitment to creating scalable, science-backed solutions that align with environmental and societal goals.
traceless materials has developed an innovative, patented technology to transform agricultural residues into a natural, compostable biomaterial. Unlike conventional plastics, traceless® materials are entirely bio-based, fully biodegradable, and produced without harmful chemicals, making them a sustainable alternative for a wide range of applications.
Under Anne’s leadership, traceless has grown from a groundbreaking idea to an award-winning company, scaling production, expanding into new markets, and partnering with industries to implement sustainable material solutions. As a pioneer in the field, traceless is driving the development and market growth of natural polymers and co-founded the Natural Polymers Group to advocate for their role in a circular economy.
Photo credits: Kati Jurischka
Lisa LANGERCFO & Managing Director, ionysisDisrupting Industry - Clean Solutions for Hard-to-Decarbonize Sectors
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present solutions driving industrial transformation through electrification, low-carbon production, and innovative materials – the carbon-neutral future of heavy industry starts here.
Niclas LEHNERTCOO, PULSETRAINPowering Tomorrow – Breakthroughs in Clean Energy Generation and Storage
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present innovative solutions for renewable energy generation, energy storage, and battery lifecycle technologies – the building blocks of a resilient, decentralized energy future.
Bruno LE MAIREWriter and Former Minister of the Economy of FranceOpening Keynote – Europe in the World
How can Europe navigate competition and collaboration while maintaining its values and democratic principles? Speakers examine the geopolitical landscape, rising importance of technological sovereignty, and the imperative for European unity to sharpen Europe´s global economic and geopolitical competitive edge.
Bruno LE MAIRE
Bruno Le Maire is a French politician, writer, and former diplomat. He served as Minister for the Economy, Finance, Industrial and Digital Sovereignty from 17 May 2017 until 21 September 2024 under President Emmanuel Macron.
Before entering politics, Bruno trained as a high-level civil servant. He began his career in the Foreign Ministry as an advisor, then joined the offices of Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin as adviser and later chief of staff. He was elected Member of Parliament for the 1st constituency of Eure in 2007. In the government of François Fillon, he served as Secretary of State for European Affairs (2008–2009), followed by Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries (2009–2012).
Returning as a deputy, he became Macron’s long-serving minister from 2017 to 2024. During that time, he oversaw France’s economic strategy through crises like Covid-19 and the energy upheaval, launched industrial revitalisation efforts, pursued tax reforms, and championed digital and energy sovereignty.
Bruno is also a prolific writer, and has authored several books reflecting on power, society, Europe, and the intersection of literature and politics.
Maria LEPTINPresident, European Research Council A Global Momentum for the European Socio-Economic Model?
A thoughtful examination of whether European approaches to balancing economic growth, social cohesion, scientific innovation and democratic governance can serve as a global model for sustainable development for other geopolitical blocks around the world.
Maria LEPTIN
Prof. Maria Leptin has been the President of the European Research Council (ERC) since November 2021 and chairs the ERC’s governing body, the ERC Scientific Council. She is a biologist best known for her work on the mechanisms that allow a developing body to take on its correct shape.
After her studies in mathematics and biology at the University of Bonn and the University of Heidelberg, Germany, Maria Leptin carried out her PhD research at the Basel Institute for Immunology, Switzerland. She then moved to the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK, became a group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tübingen, Germany, and professor at the Institute of Genetics, University of Cologne, Germany. She spent extended research periods and sabbaticals at the University of California, San Francisco, USA, the École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France, and at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.
Before her appointment as ERC President, Maria Leptin was the Director of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) in Heidelberg, and a research group leader at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. She is an elected member of EMBO, the Academia Europaea and the German National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina).
She is an Honorary Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, a Foreign Member of the Royal Society and an international member of the US National Academy of Sciences.
Photo Credits - Michael Wodak Medizin Foto Köln
Vinny PATELCEO & Co-founder, AtmosfutureClosing the Carbon Loop – Carbon Conversion, Capture, and Circularity
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present solutions for CO₂ capture, conversion and value creation – from direct air capture to bio-based material flows and chemical recycling.
Mauro MELLOCorporate Development Director, AlithicClosing the Carbon Loop – Carbon Conversion, Capture, and Circularity
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present solutions for CO₂ capture, conversion and value creation – from direct air capture to bio-based material flows and chemical recycling.
Gerard REIDCo-Founder and Co-Host, Redefining Energy Podcast; Co-founder Alexa CapitalLead Forward: Innovation’s Future is Now – Energy and Infrastructure
A forward-looking synthesis connecting today’s startup innovations to broader trends shaping the future of energy leadership. The panel explores how advanced technologies - AI-driven grids, new energy sources, dynamic markets, and powerful computing - will transform Europe’s energy systems over the next 10–15 years to meet rising industrial and digital demands. Experts will share insights on what it takes for Europe to become a truly resilient, efficient, and independent leader in the global energy transition.
Gerard REID
Gerard Reid is a leading global expert and financier in the energy transition space. A trusted authority, advisor and published author, with a following of more than 150k across several platforms, he is co-host of the highly acclaimed “Redefining Energy” podcast, which explores how Finance, Technology, Innovation, Markets and Regulations are radically redefining the world of energy.
With a client base that spans key industry leaders, decision makers, financiers, regulators and policy makers, he provides independent strategic advice that combines a global perspective with over 20 years of diverse experience working in the finance industry, with a focus on both the energy transition and revolution that that sector is going through.
He is a member of the leadership team of the Energy Transition Forum, a leading think tank focussed on decarbonisation, and is Co-Founder of numerous businesses including Alexa Capital, NATO-L, and Bourbaki.
His passion lies in educating and inspiring people, as well as empowering and accelerating sustainable change, working alongside like-minded individuals to transform challenges into opportunities.
Benedikt STOLZCOO, TURN2XDisrupting Industry - Clean Solutions for Hard-to-Decarbonize Sectors
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present solutions driving industrial transformation through electrification, low-carbon production, and innovative materials – the carbon-neutral future of heavy industry starts here.
Trevor STUTHRIDGECEO & Co-founder, CetogenixClosing the Carbon Loop – Carbon Conversion, Capture, and Circularity
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present solutions for CO₂ capture, conversion and value creation – from direct air capture to bio-based material flows and chemical recycling.
François VILLEROY DE GALHAUGovernor, Banque de FranceBeyond the Economics, Stupid! Advancing European Prosperity
Leaders from business, policy, and civil society engage in an open dialogue about what it really takes to advance European prosperity in a fragmented global economy and amidst growing populism.
François VILLEROY DE GALHAU
François Villeroy de Galhau has been Governor of the Banque de France since November 2015 and was reappointed for a second term in November 2021. He is a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank and Chairman of the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR – Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority). In 2022, he was also appointed Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
After graduating from ENA as an Inspector of Finance, he went on to join the French Treasury in 1988. He subsequently held various positions in ministerial offices and in Brussels, before being appointed Chief of Staff for the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industry in 1997, and Head of the French General Tax Directorate in 2000.
In 2003 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Cetelem, and in 2008 became Head of French Retail Banking at BNP Paribas. From December 2011 to May 2015 he served as Chief Operating Officer of BNP Paribas Group. He is the author of several books including L’Espérance d’un Européen (Odile Jacob, 2014) and Retrouver confiance en l’économie (Odile Jacob, 2021).
Andreas WAGNERCo-Founder, Radical DotDisrupting Industry - Clean Solutions for Hard-to-Decarbonize Sectors
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present solutions driving industrial transformation through electrification, low-carbon production, and innovative materials – the carbon-neutral future of heavy industry starts here.
Antoine WELTERCEO & Co-Founder, Circu Li-ionPowering Tomorrow – Breakthroughs in Clean Energy Generation and Storage
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present innovative solutions for renewable energy generation, energy storage, and battery lifecycle technologies – the building blocks of a resilient, decentralized energy future.
Wei WUCEO, Heatrix Disrupting Industry - Clean Solutions for Hard-to-Decarbonize Sectors
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present solutions driving industrial transformation through electrification, low-carbon production, and innovative materials – the carbon-neutral future of heavy industry starts here.
Sophia XUCSO & Co-founder, CarbonBridgeClosing the Carbon Loop – Carbon Conversion, Capture, and Circularity
Entrepreneurs from the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator Energy Cohort #6 present solutions for CO₂ capture, conversion and value creation – from direct air capture to bio-based material flows and chemical recycling.
