The Netherlands’ hottest tech competition is simply across the nook, and the excitement is electrical.
TNW Convention brings collectively Europe’s sharpest minds, boldest startups, and game-changing tech leaders at Amsterdam’s NDSM on June 19 and 20. It’s two days filled with massive concepts, fierce debates, and improvements that would form the long run.
We’ve combed by way of the packed schedule and picked seven classes you completely can’t miss — those set to problem the established order and get everybody speaking.
1.The place’s Iron Man? Why tech belongs in defence — Purple Stage, Thursday 16:25 – 16:55
Capital is pouring into defence tech proper now. Startups are elevating massive rounds, securing main contracts, and giving the legacy army contractors or “primes” a run for his or her cash.
At TNW Convention, 4 defence tech heavyweights will come collectively to debate the rise of the sector, its potential to form future warfare, and the function of startups.
The 💜 of EU tech
The newest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a narrative from our smart ol’ founder Boris, and a few questionable AI artwork. It is free, each week, in your inbox. Enroll now!
The session will function insights from Jyoti Hirani-Driver, COO at NATO’s DIANA accelerator, Giuseppe Lacerenza, accomplice at Amsterdam-based defence-focused fund Eager Enterprise Companions, and Dr Benjamin Wolba, co-founder of the European Defence Tech Hub. Final however not least is Marc Wietfeld, CEO of ARX Robotics, a German startup constructing autonomous land autos.
2. Gods of trade: The battle for deep tech dominance — Purple Stage, Friday 10:30 – 11:00
Subsequent up, we’re taking a look at one other battle. This one is being fought over deep tech — the science and engineering breakthroughs shaping the whole lot from well being to transportation.
Main the dialog might be two tech titans: Peter Wennink, former CEO of chip big ASML, and Younger Sohn, managing accomplice at deep tech VC Walden Catalyst.
Wennink and Sohn will discover the seismic forces reshaping the subsequent decade of deep tech innovation. Anticipate sharp takes on geopolitics, provide chain strains, the bounds of Moore’s Regulation, and the rise of AI-native {hardware}.
3. Fixing your burnout with psychedelics: Exploring the way forward for storytelling, AI, and psychological well being — Purple Stage, Thursday 15:30 – 15:50
Our subsequent session takes a extra introspective flip. Emmy-nominated storyteller, futurist, and presenter Jason Silva will take us to not the deal books of VCs or the frontiers of tech however to the intersection of AI artwork and psychedelic therapies.
Silva, the host of Nationwide Geographic’s hit TV present Mind Video games, will present how AI-generated psychedelic movies can lead you on an journey to the inside depths of your consciousness.
This session might be a quick‑paced mixture of philosophy, reside efficiency, and vivid media that invitations you to embrace AI as a accomplice in therapeutic, play, and reimagining your self. Maintain on tight — this guarantees to be one hell of a visit!
4. Quantum race: Can Europe safe management in quantum? — Inexperienced Stage, Thursday 11:30 – 11:55
From psychedelics, we’re now coming into the equally weird realm of quantum mechanics. It’s a world the place matter can exist in a number of states without delay, particles will be entangled throughout huge distances, and the principles of classical physics go proper out the window.
Quantum computing, which appears to take advantage of these unusual phenomena to make probably world-changing calculations, is quick changing into one of the crucial aggressive frontiers in tech. Startups and governments around the globe are scrambling for pole place. However the massive query is: can Europe take the lead?
On this session, Jan Goetz, co-founder and CEO of Munich-based quantum scaleup IQM, joins Tom Henriksson, basic accomplice at VC agency OpenOcean, to sort out that very query. They’ll discover the breakthroughs Europe wants in quantum {hardware}, networks, and infrastructure — and what it’ll take to remain within the race as international competitors heats up.
5. DEI or Die: Why startups can’t afford to decide out — Purple Stage, Friday 15:00 – 15:30
Whether or not you’re constructing a deep tech powerhouse or making an attempt to crack quantum code, most trade consultants agree that each tech startup must foster a various workforce.
However these efforts — coined underneath the umbrella time period Range, Fairness and Inclusion (DEI) — have been faltering as of late. Simply this yr, a number of main tech companies, together with Meta and Amazon, rolled again their DEI packages amid a broader shift within the West to extra conservative politics.
In opposition to this regarding backdrop, a gaggle of tech insiders and DEI champions will debate why startups ought to proceed to pursue inclusive methods and what that appears like in right now’s world.
This session will function Matthijs Welle, CEO of Dutch hospitality unicorn Mews; Raashi Sikka, chief variety, inclusion, accessibility, and social affect officer at Ubisoft; Constantijn Van Oranje, particular envoy at TechLeap;and Ingrid Tappin, CEO and founding father of Various Leaders in Tech.
6. Are we there but? Launching the EU’s house ambitions — Purple Stage, Friday 16:35 – 16:55
Talking of illustration in tech, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe — the primary Black lady to journey on a business house flight — may even be gracing the stage at TNW this yr.
Bowe will talk about developments in Europe. With the EU reclaiming sovereign entry to house final yr, the continent’s spacetech scene is buzzing with renewed ambition. Harnessing this momentum, may we be getting ready to a European house renaissance?
This session will discover cutting-edge improvements, daring initiatives, and the important thing challenges shaping the way forward for Europe’s spacetech ecosystem.
7. A drink with an F-bomb killer — VIP Lounge, Friday 11:15 – 11:45
Lastly, we’re heading to Hollywood with British movie director turned tech founder Scott Mann.
Mann is the mastermind behind a number of motion flicks, together with Heist, Remaining Rating, and Event. He’s additionally the founding father of Flawless, a startup pioneering photo-realistic AI edits for movies — which incorporates eradicating F-bombs from scenes with out having to reshoot them.
Mann will share behind-the-scenes Hollywood tales, insights on constructing cutting-edge startups, and his imaginative and prescient for AI’s future in leisure — throughout a drink.
So whether or not it’s psychedelic journeys, house journey, quantum computing or the way forward for deep tech as we all know it, these classes promise to ignite your curiosity, problem your perspective, and showcase the daring concepts shaping tomorrow. Get able to be impressed, provoked, and related at TNW Convention 2025.
Over 95% of TNW Convention tickets at the moment are bought out — however we’re nonetheless providing a reduction for our readers: use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 on the ticket checkout to get 30% off.
