High-level evening seminar and cocktail reception at the University of Vaasa: European Energy Transition & Resilient Sovereignty – Towards Strategically Interconnected Ecosystems
Welcome to an exclusive event at the University of Vaasa, where we delve into the forefront of European Energy Transition & Resilient Sovereignty, with great food, drinks and a few surprises along the way!
- Date: 16th of March 2026
- Seminar: 17:00-19:45 (including food & drink)
- Location: University of Vaasa (Ankkuri building)
- Networking: 20:00-22:00 (University of Vaasa Arcade)
- Location for the Arcade: University of Vaasa, Fabriikki building, 3rd floor, Yliopistonranta 10
Strengthening Europe’s energy transition requires strategically interconnected ecosystems.
A high-level evening seminar and cocktail reception at the University of Vaasa during EnergyWeek 2026 will bring together leading European policymakers, innovation leaders, industry executives and researchers to address key strategic challenges in the energy transition.
The seminar continues a broader European conversation initiated at a Brussels event organised by the University of Vaasa and its partners. It explores the interconnections between innovation policy, research and technology, crisis preparedness, governance and industrial collaboration in a context of geopolitical instability and systemic risk.
The themes draw on the work of the University of Vaasa’s multidisciplinary Preparedness & Resilience Research Platform, which examines resilience in its geopolitical, systemic and public–private dimensions, including its place-based character and its interaction with research, innovation and industry.
Through its Energy Transition Valley initiative, the University of Vaasa is building a pan-European network of energy transition leaders across the Nordic and Baltic regions, with growing links to other European and transatlantic partners. The EnergyWeek seminar strengthens these connections and advances collaboration from policy to innovation and from innovation to practical implementation.
The discussion addresses four strategic themes: innovative and entrepreneurial policy frameworks, research and governance for resilience, industrial collaboration between large corporations and start-ups, and lessons from leading global innovation ecosystems, including Silicon Valley. Particular attention is given to aligning action across European, national and regional levels and to translating strategic ambition into technological and economic impact.
The evening continues with a cocktail reception and snacks followed by an afterparty in the University of Vaasa Arcade, providing space for informal discussion and networking.
Bus transport from the city hall to the University will be arranged at 16:40. Return buses will be arranged after each program step at 18:45, 20:00, and 22:00.
The event is free, but you have to register for it. Register from here.
Programme
Welcome & Introduction (17:00-17:10)
Minna Martikainen, Rector, University of Vaasa
Challenge #1: Innovative and entrepreneurial Policies for energy transition (17:10-17:30)
Stéphane Ouaki, Head of the European Innovation Council (EIC), EISMEA
Lowina Lundström, CEO EIT InnoEnergy Scandinavia (Sweden)
Challenge #2: Research, Technology, Resilience & Governance (17:30-17:50)
Florin Urseanu, AdvisorPreparadness & EU Integrated Political Crisis Response, SecGen (EC)
Eiro Ailio, Advisor Energy Transition & Local Governance, DG Energy (EC)
Challenge #3: Collaboration between Large Corporates and Start-ups/Scale-ups (17:50-18:20)
Eleonor Hedström, Director of Next Business Lab & WISE Ecosystem, Wärtsilä (Finland).
Jérôme Kervyn de Meerendre, Co-Founder Memoco, Board member Pole Mecatech (Belgium)
Jari Marjo, Vice-President Industrial Drives, Danfoss Drives (FI/DK)
Challenge #4: Conclusions & closing (18:20-18:30)
Jeff Wallace, Co-founder Silicon Valley in Your Pocket, MP of the Batchery Accelerator (US)
Conclusive remarks (18:30-18:35)
Mika Grundtröm, Vice-Rector for Research, University of Vaasa
Cocktail Reception (18:35-19:45)
University of Vaasa Arcade & Signature Drinks (20:00 – 22:00)
Contact persons:
Philipp Holtkamp (philipp.holtkamp@uwasa.fi) and Philippe Vanrie(philippe.vanrie@uwasa.fi)