Breakfast Sessions - hosted by: 

• TU Austria

• ams OSRAM AG

• BMLV

tba

How can Europe translate research and technological capabilities into strategic autonomy, resilience and long-term competitiveness?

This panel examines how Europe can strengthen its technological sovereignty by developing, deploying and governing critical technologies in line with its strategic interests and competitiveness. Bringing together leaders from policymaking, research, academia and industry, the discussion will explore how innovation, industrial and research capabilities and talent can enhance strategic autonomy while reducing critical dependencies and maintaining international collaboration.

• Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (Chair, Committee on Security and Defence, European Parliament)

• Jakob Edler (Executive Director, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI)

• Andrea Schenker-Wicki (President, University of Basel)

• Lars Reger (Chief Technology Officer, NXP Semiconductors)

Das Falling Walls Lab ist ein internationaler Pitching-Wettbewerb, der in über 80 Ländern weltweit ausgetragen wird. Junge Talente aus allen Disziplinen erhalten die Chance, ihre Forschungsideen in einem dreiminütigen Pitch vor einem breiten Publikum zu präsentieren. Der oder die Gewinner:in vertritt Wien beim internationalen Finale im November in Berlin.

Partner: ACR – Austrian Cooperative Research Complexity Science Hub, Fraunhofer Austria, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft, Österreichische Fachhochschul-Konferenz sowie xista innovation GmbH (mit Unterstützung durch die Österreichischen Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft (FFG) und das AIT Austrian Institute of Technology). 

Which framework conditions (FP10, ECF, Single Market, Partnerships etc.) does Europe need to innovate, scale, and compete globally? 

This panel explores the future of European research and innovation policy, focusing on the relationship between the 10th Framework Programme (FP10) and the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). It examines how research can be translated more effectively into innovation and impact through appropriate governance, funding and collaboration. The discussion addresses strategic priorities, complementary funding mechanisms and the conditions needed to ensure a seamless innovation journey from research to market uptake and industrial scale-up, while preserving the distinct roles of FP10 and the ECF. It also highlights the importance of innovation ecosystems, technology infrastructures, European partnerships and supportive regulatory frameworks.

• Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament; Rapporteur for FP10)

• Jesús Valero (Director General, Tecnalia; President EARTO)

• Jana Kolar (CEO, CERIC; Former Chair, ESFRI)

• Sabine Herlitschka (Vice President, Federation of Austrian Industries; CEO, Infineon Technologies Austria AG)

• Tatiana Lopez Garrido (Deputy Head of Unit, DG GROW, European Commission)

What can Europe learn from its most successful national innovation systems – and how European countries can contribute to common European goals?

This panel explores how national research and innovation systems can strengthen Europe's global competitiveness in response to growing geopolitical and technological competition. Drawing on the experiences of Innovation Leaders like Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland, it examines successful policies, governance models and innovation ecosystems, and identifies lessons for Austria and Europe. The discussion also highlights how national and European policies can better align to support strategic technologies, cross-border collaboration and Europe's technological leadership.

• Malin Frenning (CEO, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden)

• Annelieke van der Giessen (Secretary-General, AWTI Netherlands)

• Dominique Foray (Professor Emeritus, EPFL Lausanne; Member, Swiss Science Council)

• Georg Knill (President, Federation of Austrian Industries IV)

• Theresia Vogel (Vice Chair, Austrian Council for Research, Science, Innovation and Technology Development FORWIT)