FRIDAY 19 MAY 2023
Sustainability in Innovation & Investing: Solving the innovation puzzle

08:30 – 09:00 | Registration

 09:00 – 09:30 | Opening keynote 

09:30 – 10:30 | Panel discussion
Financing innovation: can CEE countries become powerhouses of innovation and digitalisation?

The CEE countries score badly on innovation, R&D, and registered patents - worse than their Western counterparts. At the same time, some countries such as Estonia and Romania have seen the emergence of thriving start up ecosystems, rise of venture capital funds, and a lot of fresh talent.

• Is there a lack of innovation financing? If so, how can we improve the situation?

• Which actors are systematically important for innovation?

• What are the key elements for successful digitalisation strategy and policy?

• What steps could improve innovation ecosystems across the region?

• What is needed to finance innovation and R&D?

 10:30 – 11:10 | Coffee break

11:10 – 11:30 | Elevator speeches

11:30 – 12:30 | Panel discussion
Investors to rescue - supporting start-ups and businesses in the CEE region

It is a frequently lamented fact that the CEE capital markets are under-developed. At the same time, the number of Venture Capital (VC) and Private Equity (PE) funds has risen, and they have been crucial for funding start-ups and promising SMEs. Incubators, hackathons, support and mentoring schemes, and a variety of investor-led efforts try to empower entrepreneurs. Yet the figures remain somewhat disappointing, with a small number of European unicorns and sometimes sluggish growth. With climate change, decarbonisation, and social issues as defining problems of our era, this raises a question whether there is an opportunity for CEE innovators and entrepreneurs to create solutions.

• Does the market rewards entrepreneurs or businesses with good environmental or social performance?

• What changes could help PE and VC funds to thrive?

• Does, and should, sustainability play a role in investment decisions?

• What key systematic changes would help improve the resilience, success, and scalability of start-ups?

12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch & meet the speakers

13:30 – 14:30 | Panel discussion
Leadership in investing

With rapid changes and new trends in the investment industry, it is more challenging than ever to successfully navigate the landscape.

• Does the CEE need its own sustainable investing champions?

• What does leadership in this sector does or should look like?

14:30-15:10 | Coffee break

15:10-15:30 | TED-style speeches

15:30 – 16:30 | Panel discussion
Women in finance and innovation – how to empower female entrepreneurs and innovators?

17:30 – 18:00 | Discussion
Innovators and disruptors: what skills lead to success, and can they be learnt?

Innovating an existing business model or building a new company or initiative requires creativity, energy, and a string belief in the idea. The number of books and leadership advice on innovation and disruption has exploded, yet it has not been accompanied by a similar explosion in new businesses or initiatives.

• What skills are key for innovators and disruptors?

• Can new skills and mindsets be learnt or adopted?

• What have been successful examples and practical advice that have worked?

  
  18:00 – 18:10 | Closing remarks

  More information on the event, speakers and partners can be found on the event website.