Speakers
Meet our roundtable and key note speakers
Keynote
Opening
CEO at Futuro Perfecto Innovation
Jaime Trainor is an accomplished engineer and business executive with over 15 years of experience in the aerospace, defense, consultancy, and railway sectors, with a strong track record of driving business growth and forming strategic partnerships. As the CEO and Founder of Futuro Perfecto, Jaime leads a multinational team specializing in securing European program funds, such as Horizon Europe, as well as private investments for startups.
Keynote
Innovation as an Existential Challenge: Deep Tech and the EU's Innovation Gap
Senior Official at the European Innovation Council
As a passionate advocate for innovation, Isidro supports startups from idea to scale-up to unicorn. He envisions a Europe driven by entrepreneurship and groundbreaking technologies. His career spans key roles, including Head of Startup Europe at the European Commission, Cabinet Member for innovation at Commissioner Valean for Transportation, and founder of two software startups.
Roundtable
Bio Tech
CEO at Oncostellae
Guido Kurz, CEO of Oncostellae, has a background in medical chemistry and holds 25 years of experience in drug discovery and development. He currently leads Oncostellae, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of small-molecule drugs with strong IP and worldwide rights targeting indications in immunology, fibrosis and women health with high unmet medical need.
Chief Data Officer at Kriba
Beatrice Jobst is the Chief Data Officer at Kriba, where she leads all AI and data science initiatives, specializing in deep learning for medical image segmentation and classification. With a PhD in Computational Neuroscience from Universitat Pompeu Fabra and a Master’s in Mathematics from the Vienna University of Technology, Beatrice brings a unique blend of expertise in both academic and applied research. Her background spans four years in academia and over eight years in industrial research, making her a leader in advancing AI applications within the biotech sector.
Co-Founder and General Partner at Noso Capital
Santiago Dominguez is the Co-Founder and General Partner at Noso Capital. With extensive experience in financing disruptive tech startups, Santiago has played a pivotal role in guiding companies through complex funding landscapes. His leadership and investment acumen have been instrumental in fostering innovation across biotech and tech sectors.
Senior Technology Transfer Manager at Fundación Botín
Marisa Tejedor joined the Botín Foundation's Science team as Senior Technology Transfer Manager in May 2022. She began her innovation and transfer career in 2006 at a seed capital company in Oxford. Later, she managed the portfolio of companies at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and supported spin-off creation. She helped launch the Innovation and Knowledge Transfer Unit at La Paz University Hospital’s Biomedical Research Institute (IdiPAZ) and has managed the European Reference Network in Paediatric Transplantation (ERN TransplantChild) since 2015. Prior to this, she held leadership roles at Bankinter Asset Management from 2003.
Senior Investment Manager/Advisor - EIC Fund - Venture Capital at the European Investment Bank
Myriam Rouis is the Senior Investment Manager/Advisor for the EIC Fund - Venture Capital at the European Investment Bank. With a strong background in investment, she previously served as Portfolio Manager at the European Investment Fund (EIF) and as Investment Manager in Private Equity at ORAXYS Environmental Growth Capital.
Roundtable
Quantum
Co-Founder and CEO at QCentroid
Carlos Kuchkovsky is the CEO & Co-founder of QCentroid, Quantum-as-a-Service platform that accelerates quantum computing projects with end-to-end workflows, seamless hardware integration, and enterprise-grade security, helping businesses become quantum-ready.
Innovation and Product Manager at Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech
Eva Martín Fierro is the Innovation and Product Manager at Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech. She is an innovation professional, with a hybrid scientific & business background. She has +10 years’ experience in physics research, 15 years in tech transfer, now in product development. Extensive track record for translating scientific ideas into business opportunities meeting market needs. [PhD Physics (Univ La Laguna), R&D&I Management (Univ La Laguna), Postdoc Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel) and Freiburg University (Germany), Executive Development Program PDD (IESE Business School)].
Chief AI Officer at International Institute of Intrapreneurship and Innovation I4
Frank Moreno is a mentor and advisor with deep expertise in AI and technological innovation. As Chief AI Officer at the International Institute of Intrapreneurship and Innovation I4, and a member of AEPIA and the AI Responsible Commission, he shapes AI standards and practices. He co-authored "Artificial Intelligence: The End of the Beginning" and is an MIT-trained expert in Leadership for Technological Innovation.
Roundtable
Energy and Decarbonization
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CEO at Zelestium Technologies
Joaquin Chacón is the CEO of Zelestium Technologies, specializing in the development of smart batteries and innovative energy solutions. Prior to this, he was the President of Albufera Energy Storage. With a strong focus on integrating renewable energy and promoting the circular economy, Joaquin is a recognized leader in the energy sector.
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Investment Associate for CleanTech at Plug and Play
Diego Mendez is a Investment Associate for CleanTech at Plug and Play Tech Center. He has a background in Material Science & Engineering and specializes in energy, mobility and sustainability, connecting the startups to industry-leading corporations.
Managing Partner at Rumbo Ventures
Fernando Lelo is the Managing Partner at Rumbo Ventures. With over 20 years of experience in venture capital and private equity across Latin America, Fernando is passionate about backing innovative, scalable solutions in Climate Tech and Impact Investing. He has co-founded and invested in successful startups like Flink, RobinFood, Flat, and Enlight, with a mission to create positive social and environmental impact in the region.
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New Business Developer at Kapitein Labs
Michiel Poppink is New Business Developer at Kapitein Labs, a company developing innovative non-thermal plasma technology with the Technical University of Eindhoven. This technology can convert CO2 and other greenhouse gases into hydrocarbons, purify water,and reduce air pollution. By using plasma, KapiteinLabs helps industries become more sustainable.
Professor at University of Vigo
Juan Antonio Añel Cabanelas is a Professor at University of Vigo. He has a PhD in Atmospheric Sciences is currently serving as President of the Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics group for the Royal Spanish Physics Society. With a career focused on climate change research, Juan Antonio has worked with renowned institutions like the University of Oxford and the Spanish National Research Council. An Academic Editor for PLoS Climate, also provides consultancy to multinationals in energy and banking, advocating for open science and free software.
Keynote
Artificial Intelligence
CEO at OdiseIA
Chairman of the Supervisory Board at EIT Digital
Dr. Richard Benjamins is the co-founder and CEO of OdiseIA, an observatory focused on the ethical and social impacts of AI. He serves as chairman of EIT Digital's Supervisory Board and was formerly the Chief Responsible AI Officer at Telefónica. Recognized among the top 100 influencers in data-driven business (DataIQ 100, 2018), he is deeply involved in AI ethics, advising institutions like the European Parliament and the Vatican. Dr. Benjamins is also a published author and a prominent voice in AI governance.
Keynote
EIT Health Opportunities for MedTech Companies
Entrepreneurship Lead at EIT Health Spain
Antonio Rodriguez is a technology transfer expert with 15 years of experience in the healthcare sector. As the Entrepreneurship Lead at EIT Health Spain, he focuses on fostering relationships within the healthcare entrepreneurship ecosystem and providing support through EIT Health's various entrepreneurial initiatives.
Roundtable
Women in Deep Tech
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Chief Relations Officer at
QCentroid
Pilar Troncoso is the Chief Relations Officer at QCentroid and an experienced member of the Deep Tech ecosystem, specializing in Digital Transformation specialist, Quantum, and Blockchain. She is a leading voice in the world of cryptocurrencies and innovation.
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Managing Partner at Bendahan Ventures
Krystel Bendahan is the Managing Partner at Bendahan Ventures, supporting impactful ventures with sustainable global growth. As City Lead for NASA Space Apps Challenge Spain, she drives space-based solutions for sustainability, health, and communications.
CEO and Co-Founder at eTrivium
Anna Domínguez is the CEO and co-founder of eTrivium, a startup that digitizes internal company knowledge to boost productivity. With 25+ years of experience in multinationals, SMEs, and entrepreneurship, she is a passionate advocate for continuous improvement in organizations.
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CMO at Trucksters and Founder of Women Startup Leaders
Carmen Hidalgo is the CMO at Trucksters, a tech-enabled scale-up disrupting the trucking industry through AI and driver relays. As a serial entrepreneur and 2019 National Young Entrepreneur Award winner, she has co-founded Female Startup Leaders, a non-profit community empowering female tech founders. Carmen is passionate about leveraging technology to drive innovation and create sustainable businesses.
Investment Analyst at Adara Ventures
Andrea is an Investment Analyst at Adara Ventures. She joined Adara after completing her Dual Degree in Business Administration & International Relations at IE University. Alongside her role at Adara, she serves as Community Lead at baby vc, a bootcamp for aspiring VCs.
Roundtable
Cyber Security and Dual Technologies
CEO & Founder at Sedicii
Rob Leslie is the CEO & Founder of Sedicii, a company pioneering digital identity verification and data protection. Rob also co-founded Kyckr and has held leadership roles at companies like Dell Japan and Datacraft Japan, playing a major role in launching Dell in Japan. He's a mentor for Enterprise Ireland and an investor in tech and biotech startups.
CEO & Co-Founder at SensusQ
Marko Kaseleht is the CEO and Co-founder of SensusQ, a company focused on decision-making support for high-risk, multi-domain environments. A seasoned defense industry specialist and combat veteran, Marko served 13 years in the armed forces, including leadership roles in Iraq and Afghanistan, before transitioning to the private defense sector in 2016. Throughout his career, he has excelled in business development and senior management roles, demonstrating strong leadership in both civilian and ex-service teams. His leadership style empowers individuals to grow and succeed, reflecting his commitment to innovation and excellence in the defense industry.
Regional Director South at EIT Digital
Elena Contioso-Fleming is the Regional Director South at EIT Digital, having joined the organization in 2018 as the Madrid Co-Location Centre Manager. Before her current role, she served as the Ecosystem Lead for Southern Europe. Elena's career began in startups while simultaneously working as an entrepreneur in Germany. She also served as General Manager at FIUS, the Research Foundation of the University of Seville, and played a key role at Andalucía TECH, overseeing operations and budgetary control. With over 15 years of experience in technology transfer, research, and innovation, Elena holds a MSc in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Seville and completed a Management Development Programme at EOI Business School.
Director of Research at Universidad Europea de Madrid and Co-Founder of Futuro Perfecto Innovation
Diego Rodriguez is the Director of Research at Universidad Europea de Madrid and Co-founder of Futuro Perfecto Innovation, where he was formerly CTO. With over 20 years of experience, Diego has driven business growth across telecommunications, energy, and healthcare sectors. He has held leadership roles at Optimitive, Evalue Innovation, Inspiralia, and worked as a project manager at Tecnalia and Ikerlan. Diego is also an educator, having taught at universities in Spain, Finland, and Germany.
Roundtable
Deep Tech Ecosystem in the Nordics
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Director at Bilbao Slush'D
David Cabezon is the Director of Bilbao Slush'D and Co-founder of BayLoop Ventures. With a background in HealthTech, Impact AI startups, and Biotech, David has worked in consulting and non-profit startup sectors across Finland, Estonia, the UK, and Spain. He has extensive experience in major entrepreneurial hubs throughout Europe, having built a strong Nordic network centered on cooperation and innovation. Additionally, he was chosen as one of 30 EU ambassadors and nominated by MIMIR Fellows to represent the Spanish and Basque Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (as part of Bilbao Slush'D) at the UNION FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN YOUTH FORUM themed as "Mediterranean Youth Building Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystems" in Helsinki, Finland.
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Head of Digital Entrepreneurship and Open Innovation at ICEX
Teresa Plaza is the Head of Digital Entrepreneurship and Open Innovation at ICEX. Teresa leads initiatives promoting the internationalization of Spanish companies in the digital economy, entrepreneurship, and digital content sectors. She also manages business plans, organizes key promotional activities like fairs and missions, and coordinates open innovation projects for large international corporations.
CMO at MIMIR
Aamos Heikkilä is a student-entrepreneur focused on optimizing resources and delivering impactful solutions. He was the chairperson of Tampere Entrepreneurship Society in 2023 and currently works at MIMIR. MIMIR's goal is to make the Nordics global leaders in research commercialization with students leading the way. Aamos is passionate about driving innovation and fostering collaboration within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, ensuring that high-quality research truly benefits society.
Senior Advisor at Business Finland
Daria Mashkina is a seasoned professional with 15 years of international experience. As a senior advisor at TPO Business Finland, she provides over 150 advisory services annually, with a particular focus on internationalization strategies and digitalization for Finnish SMEs. Commitment to fostering close cooperation between the public and private sectors has driven its work, advocating for an ecosystem approach that integrates various stakeholders to drive innovation and growth between Finland and Spain.
Managing Partner at Bendahan Ventures
Krystel Bendahan is the Managing Partner at Bendahan Ventures, supporting impactful ventures with sustainable global growth. As City Lead for NASA Space Apps Challenge Spain, she drives space-based solutions for sustainability, health, and communications.
Roundtable
Med Tech
Founder at Savana
Jorge Tello is the founder and engineer behind Savana, a global leader in using AI to extract insights from Electronic Health Records (EHRs), boasting the largest multi-language, AI-powered research network. He also chairs the working group of AI in the Spanish Biotechnology Association (ASEBIO) .
Investor at Plug and Play Tech Center
Laura Soto is an Investor in the HealthTech sector. She is passionate about science and exploring innovative solutions that positively impact patients and the healthcare ecosystem. With her background in biomedical research and her role in ventures at Plug and Play Tech Center, a leading early-stage investment firm and corporate innovation platform, Laura connects startups with corporate partners to drive groundbreaking advancements in Digital Health and MedTech.
Partner at Scaleup Partner
Lola Franco is a Partner at ScaleUp Partner, with over 20 years of experience in business development and management, specializing in the healthcare industry. She focuses on supporting scalable tech startups, helping founders secure funding, enter new markets, and drive corporate growth. Lola has led successful expansion strategies for leading medical organizations in Spain and internationally, and she is passionate about leveraging innovation and digitalization to transform the healthcare sector.