Ibon graduated as an industrial engineer from the Public University of Navarre (Tecnun) and has a Degree in Business Administration from the UPV-EHU. He has extensive experiences in Services and Supply Chain in international companies such as Pasaban, Danobat or General Electric. He is currently the Founder and CEO of the ii40Services start-up in San Sebastián (Gipuzkoa).

Javier is the CEO and founder of Madit. After graduating as an industrial engineer from the Bilbao School of Engineering, he worked for 9 years as the Additive Manufacturing Manager at ITP Aero. In 2020, he decided to set up Madit, a company specialising in additive manufacturing in metal.

Degree in Economics and Business Science from the Faculty of Economics at the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU). Susana is currently working in the SPRI Strategic Transition Department, where she is coordinating the BDIH (Basque Digital Innovation Hub) to help companies incorporate sustainable and digital technologies.

She is also involved in coordinating the project to drive and implement Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) processes in the public entities of the Basque Government’s Ministry of Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment.

Experience in managing R&D support programmes and issuing Technical Rating Reports for Tax Purposes.

Member of the European Commission’s Enterprise Europe Network since 2008, participating in the Renewable Energy and Aerospace sectoral groups.

Ibon Iribarren has over 20 years’ experience developing businesses with the main focus on making the industrial sector more efficient.

Ibon graduated as an Industrial Engineer and has an Executive MBA from IESE; after 17 years in a leading automotive machinery company, he decided to embark on an adventure 5 years ago. Since 2018, he is CEO and co-founder of LINQ, a company with a fundamental mission: to help to reduce scrape metal when manufacturing metal parts. Therefore, LINQ offers non-destructive electromagnetic inspection equipment and solutions.

In recent years, Ibon has also launched different initiatives to foster and develop the Basque entrepreneurial system.

Professional with 35 years’ experience in operations management, R&D and engineering, general management and e-Business. Electrical engineer and with an MBA in Finances from the University of the Basque Country (UPV). Master Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma certified by GE. Since early 2018, R&D Director at the Arteche Group, global supplier of equipment and solutions for the electric power system. Between 2019 and 2023, a member of the Management Board and Chair of the GAIA Electronics Committee. Previously at Kairos Management, GE Power Controls and GE Multilin, the last two companies belonging to the multinational General Electric. 

R&D&i Director at the Daisalux Group (Emergency Lighting). Graduate in Physical Sciences (Electronics) and with post-graduate training in electronics, radiocommunications, communications, production management, AI. EMBA by ESIC. Jose has always been linked to the field of R&D and engineering (Solac Telecom as R&D and Systems Engineer, SAFT Power Systems as Application Engineering Manager, AEG Power Solutions as the Industrial Director)

With a PhD in Chemistry from Strathclyde University (UK), Amaia started her career as a post-doctorate researcher and, subsequently, as a senior researcher at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, until she joined Graphenea as the Scientific Director. She coordinates the R&D team; she has filed 15 patents and has had over 95 articles published in high impact journals. Amaia is also a member and leads the wafer scale integration work package, and is the deputy leader of the graphene growth package.

Mikel has over 15 years’ experience in RFID, energy harvesting and low-consumption electronics, both technically and in the application of the technologies. He provides a consultancy approach to wireless monitoring opportunities for all types of sectors. His input is both as an employee in large corporations (IBM) and technological start-ups (Farsens), and as an entrepreneur (Kliskatek). Degree in Industrial Organisation Engineering (UPV).

Dr. Xabier Iturbe received his MSc degree in Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering from the University of the Basque Country (Spain) in 2007 and his PhD in Electronics Engineering from the University of Edinburgh (UK) in 2013. He is a senior research engineer and EU project coordinator at Ikerlan (Spain), where he currently coordinates the Centre’s research activities in neuromorphic and AI hardware design with a focus on applicability to industry customers. He is also the coordinator of the Horizon Europe research project NimbleAI.

In 2014, he received a Marie Curie research fellowship to conduct research at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (USA) and Arm (UK), exploring techniques to enhance fault-tolerance in Arm Cortex-R CPUs and make them suitable for space use. From 2016 to 2018 he was the Arm University Program EMEA manager. He has co-authored over 40 journal and conference papers, and has 9 granted patents.

Armando Astarloa is a full professor in Electronic Technology at the Bilbao School of Engineering. His work and research has been in the field of electronic design, private companies and the public sector. In 2010, he founded the System-on-Chip Engineering technology company and was its Managing Director for five years.

Iñigo Arizaga graduated as a Telecommunications Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He has held different posts throughout his career, including the position of Technology Director at the Tecnalia Digital Unit between 2018 and 2022. Since January 2022, he has headed the new Quantum Technologies Team at Tecnalia.

Iñigo Adin is a researcher at the CEIT research centre in San Sebastián, where he co-heads the Electronics and Communications Systems group. He has a PhD in the design of integrated circuits applied to communications electronics. Iñigo is the author of different scientific publication, and he is a professor of TECNUN (Public University of Navarre) both in San Sebastián and in Madrid.

Dr. Jon Mabe. Dr. Jon Mabe graduated in Telecommunications Engineering (2005) from the Bilbao School of Engineering; he has a Master’s Degree in Advanced Electronics Systems (2007) and a Master’s in Bioengineering (2012), both from the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), along with advanced training in Smart Sensors (2012) from Delft University. In 2017, he obtained his PhD for his work in Methodologies to Develop Photonic Sensors for industrial applications. Jon joined Tekniker in 2005. After heading different technological initiatives and department, he has been the Market Director and a member of the Management Board at Tekniker since 2021

Mr. Ignacio Azpiazu is a Co-Founder & serves as a Partner at Hub Advisory. His professional career has been linked to different strategic consulting and corporate finance companies. He also Serves as a part of the Advisory Board at EIT Manufacturing Business creation and He also serves as a Member or the board at Tecnalia Lab service Division

Electronic Engineer with a Master’s Degree in Artificial Intelligence (AI4GOV). He has extensive experience in driving the development and application of AI, by setting up a robust ecosystem to foster start-ups in the sector and talent development.

In addition to his technical approach, he pays special attention to the ethical implications of advances in AI, while always striving to balance technological innovation with respecting legislation, ethical values and people. He firmly believes in the power of AI to improve our society and is committed to democratising this technology.

Degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of the Basque Country and MBA from IESE. Marcos Suárez has over 15 years of international experience in management and strategic consultancy. He currently heads the cluster’s wind power area and is the coordinator of the European ELBE alliance in offshore renewable energy. 

Lexuri Vázquez has a PhD in Applied Engineering from the Public University of Navarre (2016). She currently works at LORTEK as a researcher for the Additive Manufacturing Technologies Group. She had previously worked at CEIT in the field of powder metallurgy for five years, and later as a researcher in SLM and HIP at Birmingham University. Lexuri has extensive experience in research metallic materials (aluminium alloys, steels, Ti6Al4V, magnetic and Ni base alloys) processed by WAAM and SLM for different applications. She manages and technically participates in different regional and European projects focused on the dissemination and demonstration of metal additive manufacturing in different sectors. Lexuri also lectures on the International Master’s Degree in Welding (IWE) and on the Master’s in Industrial Additive Manufacturing (Mondragón University).

Degree in Physical Sciences from the University of the Basque Country and a Master’s Degree in Microeconomics of Competitiveness from Deusto University. She has over 25 years’ experience in the research and development of public innovation policies, as well as in international cooperation, public-private and public funds management. She has been a member of the Industry 2030 High Level Industrial Roundtable of the European Commission and an institutional member of the World Manufacturing Forum-WMF.

David González graduated in Industrial Electronic and Automatic Engineering from Mondragón Unibertsitatea (2005), and has a Master’s Degree in Communications and Signal Processing from Edinburg University (2006). He has been a researcher at the IKERLAN technology centre since 2007, where he headed the Cybersecurity in Embedded Systems research team for the last 7 years. He is currently the manager of the Industrial Cybersecurity Area. His career has focused on the design and development of embedded platform with cybersecurity and functional security requirements for the industry, transport, health and energy sectors. David has led different R&D projects for companies in those sectors, and taken part in different national and European research projects.

Eva María Domínguez Fernández graduated in Computer Engineering and completed post-graduate studies in “Complex Systems” at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU).

With over 25 years’ experience in Project Management, Product Development and R&D&i Project Coordination, she has led the setting up of digital ecosystems for different sectors, including the airport environment, tramways, ticketing, energy and industry

As the Operations Director at Hispavista Labs, Eva María is currently in charge of facilitating the unit achieving its strategic lines: Smart City Solutions, Industry 4.0, Consultancy, Development & Digitalisation.

Mechanical Industrial Engineer from the Bilbao School of Engineering.

21 years’ experience at Vidrala. 10 years as Head of Mould Design. 11 years as Process Innovation Manager.

Business Development Manager at Inalia. Graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the University of the Basque Country’s School of Engineering and in Advanced Industrial Organisation Engineering from the School of Engineering at the University of the Basque Country (UPV). Post-graduate studies in Calculation and Numerical Simulation. Previous experience as Director of Mechanical Projects and Manufacturing Processes Engineering (forging & stamping). Lecturer on post-graduate courses on Finite-Element Calculation and Numerical Simulation at the University of the Basque Country.

Manager of the R&D&i Product Development Area at GH Cranes & Components. Mechanical Technical Engineer from Mondragon Unibertsitatea and Higher Training Cycle in Machining Production at MGEP.

HR and Management Systems Manager at Ingeteam

Jon Ander Egaña graduated in Biological Sciences from the University of the Basque Country (UPV), has a Master’s Degree in Biotechnology (Strathclyde University), in Business Administration (ESEUNE) and in Managing Food Companies (San Telmo International Institute).
With extensive experience in research, entrepreneurship and as an established manager in different companies of the ilk of Ikertek Diagnostics, Azti-Tecnalia and the Lekunberri Dairy Institute, Jon Ander has headed the BASQUE FOOD CLUSTER since it was founded in 2009 and is striving to drive innovation and competitiveness of a more sustainable Basque food value chain.

Olga Martín is the General Manager of Aclima, the Basque Environment Cluster. She graduated in Chemical Sciences and has an Executive MBA. Olga has been the ACLIMA General Manager since 2019. She is an expert in environmental management, has extensive experience in managerial posts in Industry and has represented the sector in Europe. Olga is heading the deployment of the cluster’s current strategic plan in line with the European Green Deal and the 2030 Agenda. As a spokesperson for the Basque environmental sector, she works closely with the public representatives with jurisdiction in Industrial Competitiveness and the Environment at regional and state level. Olga’s work in the cluster initiatives fosters innovation and the internationalisation of the environmental sector, and drives the generation of new business models and companies.

Iñaki Ugarte is the Manager of the BASQUE PAPER CLUSTER. His career has been in commercial and export management, along with experience in marketing, managing quality systems, excellence based on the EFQM model, and is an EUSKALIT assessor. Experience in management: strategic and management plans. Creation, execution and monitoring. Continuous improvement Managing work groups, team work.

Amaia graduated in Environmental Sciences from Salamanca University and studied for a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering at EOI in Madrid. She has over 14 years’ experience in the area of sustainability in industry.
Amaia worked at BUNGE IBÉRICA for 8 years, where she rose to be the Environmental Coordinator for Spain, where she was in charge of 3 plants. She subsequently worked at COSENTINO for 6 years, where after holding different posts in Environmental Engineering, she subsequently headed an R&D&i Project in the Circular Economy for 2 years, and was finally promoted to the LCA and Environmental Footprint Manager of the company. She is currently the Energy and Environment Manager of the Siderurgia Cluster, where she provides her environmental advisory and technical services to the main steelworks of Spain, particularly regarding decarbonisation and the circular economy. Amaia is also a mentor on the Circular Economy course run by ESADE and took part in the process to obtain a patent for technofloors and publish a scientific article in that regard.

Silvia Soto del Rio graduated in Psychology of Organisations from Deusto University, and has a Master’s Degree in People and Team Coaching from Mondragón University. Further training on different direction, management and leadership programmes. Silvia has extensive experience in the field of Human Resources in different sectors: in Consultancy (Mossa Thomas International), 14 years at a US automotive multinational (Tenneco Automotive), and she more recently spent 15 years at an industrial manufacturer of food capital goods for the Retail & Hotel sector (Salva Industrial). She has lectured on Ethics on the LEINN (Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation) Degree at Mondragon University, and is a member of the Gipuzkoa Communities of Corporate Directors of Personnel. During her career, Silvia has held posts of responsibility in the management of all areas of human resources: Culture, Leadership, Talent Attraction and Development, Internal Communication, Compensation, Negotiations, etc.

Hemant Agarwal has a track record of over 20 years in International Business. He graduated from the prestigious IIT Mumbai and has a post-graduate diploma in International Business Strategy. He is currently the Director of the Basque Trade & Investment office in India.

Pablo has over 10 years’ experience in regional positions at ASEAN. He has a Master’s Degree in International Business and is the Director of the Basque Trade & Investment office in Singapore, which promotes business opportunities and helps Basque companies in ASEAN countries.

Tinus van de Pas founded T Talent back in 2013. After many years as a lecturer in Engineering, workplace counsellor and international project manager, Tinus van de Pas realized that his vast network of universities and employers could lead to something valuable: matching students / young graduates with companies.

Director of the BTI office in London. Pablo has over 20 years’ experience as an international business development advisor in China, the US and United Kingdom. He has a degree in Economic Law from Deusto University, a Diploma in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University, and an MBA from the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California

Ecem Toprakseven Gülfidan has been the director of Basque Trade & Investment’s Turkey office since November 2022. She has a comprehensive background in international trade and investment, primarily in Turkey.

Department Director with over 20 years’ experience in the field of Human Resources in different companies and sectors. Juncal de Lucas has spent most of her career working with people and their development.
She graduated in Psychology, has completed post-graduate studies in HR Management, is a OHS Higher Technician, and has a Master’s Degree in Ontological Coaching.
Juncal is dynamic, flexible, shows initiative and a skill for establishing positive workplace relations.
She has extensive experience in staff recruiting, training and management. Department Director with over 20 years’ experience in the field of Human Resources in different companies and sectors. Juncal de Lucas has spent most of her career working with people and their development. She graduated in Psychology, has completed post-graduate studies in HR Management, is a OHS Higher Technician, and has a Master’s Degree in Ontological Coaching. Juncal is dynamic, flexible, shows initiative and a skill for establishing positive workplace relations. She has extensive experience in staff recruiting, training and management.

Ainhoa Dorronsoro prides herself as a competent, versatile, hard-working, self-demanding, an extrovert and a good team player. She took part in the Global Training 2021 programme in the Netherlands at a biomedical sensor company.

Nerea graduated in Industrial Design Engineering from the Polytechnic School at Mondragón Unibertsitatea and has an MSc in Integrated Product Design from Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands). She is current the Innovation Manager at IGESTEK, where she coordinates the company’s own projects and those of its customers in the field of polymers and composite materials.
After over 10 years’ working on technology projects, her view of a sustainable business ecosystem embraces new technologies, people’s talent and respecting our environment in a balanced way.

Sonia Flórez Fernández has a PhD in Science from the UPV (2007). She joined (Inasmet) TECNALIA in January 1995. She currently the Project Director in the Processes and Materials Area of the TECNALIA Industry and Mobility Unit. Her work is focused on searching for structural lightening solutions. She heads the multifunctional materials and adhesive bonding technology lines, which includes the Buckypaper technological assets, a pilot plant for manufacturing carbon nanotube sheets.
Sonia has taken part in and led a large number of R&D&i projects for different industrial sectors. Her specialist areas include process optimisation, performance improvements and designing innovative solutions. Sonia is a member of the Spanish Adhesion and Adhesive Group (GEAA), of the Scientific Committee of the Adhesion and Adhesive Congress, a member of Cesol, and on the Steering Committee of Materplat (Spanish Advanced Materials and Nanomaterials Technological Platform) She is the author and co-author of scientific publication and has filed 3 patents.

José María Peiró graduated (1975) and has a PhD (1977) in Philosophy and Literature (Valencia University), and has a degree in Psychology (1976) (Complutense University of Madrid). Professor of Social Psychology in Organisations at (1984-2020) (Valencia University). Honorary Doctorate from Coimbra University (2023), Federico Villarreal National University (2020) Maastricht University (2019), Miguel Hernández University of Elche, (2017) and the Methodist University (São Paulo, 2010). José María is professor emeritus at Valencia University and was the founding director of the IDOCAL University Research University and Chair of the International Applied Psychology Association (2011-2014). Author of over 65 books and chapters, and has had over 200 articles published since 2006.
Specialist areas: youth employability, service quality, climate and culture in organisations, work team, psychosocial aspects of ICTs (information and communication technologies), prevention of psychosocial risks.

Computer Engineer and with an Executive MBA, with 26 years’ experience in the construction industry, where he has held different posts (Studies, Quality and the Environment, Project Manager, etc.). He is currently the Business Development and Innovation Director at FHIMASA.

Dr. Josu Bilbao graduated as a Telecommunications Engineer from the Bilbao School of Engineering (UPV/EHU), has a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Communications and Control from the UPV/EHU, and a PhD in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Navarre.

Dr. Bilbao is the director of the Electronics, Information and Communications Unit at IKERLAN, a leading private technology centre in technology transfer and part of the MONDRAGON Corporation and BRTA:

Josu has defined the digital platform strategy and deployment for many sectors, including smart transport, the energy sector and Industry 4.0. He has overseen multiple industrial projects, including the design and development of embedded solutions with tailored connectivity solutions and Edge-to-cloud architectures.

Dr. Bilbao is an IEEE Senior Member and has been a visiting scientist at MIT; his accolades include the best paper award del IEEE ISPLC. He is currently playing an active role on different standardisation committees and his areas of interest include reliable communications, Edge-to-cloud architectures and Artificial Intelligence.

Borja Garate is the Managing Director at Metrología Sariki; he graduated in business administration and has a technical degree in business computing from Deusto Business School. In 2017 he joined Metrología Sariki and has been company’s managing director since 2019, where he has led the transformation of the organisation towards the digitalisation and servitization of the business.

Technical Service engineer in the bodywork shop, previously in Factory Technical Services at Mercedes-Benz Vitoria Factory.

25 years of experience in maintenance and production at companies such as the SAICA Group, SIDENOR and ACS.

6 projects completed in the BIND 4.0 programme

Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship Director<br/>Basque Government’s Ministry for Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment

Degree in Economics and Business Science from the Sarrriko Faculty of Economics (UPV-EHU). Master’s Degree in Business Administration (M.B.A) from the I.E.S.E. Business School, Graduated from Deusto University in “Competitiveness and Regional Development” studies run in conjunction with Harvard University.

Most of my career has been at the Basque Business Confederation – Confebask, where I headed the Economics-Tax Department for over 20 years and I am currently the General Manager.

As far as institutional representation and participation is concerned, I am a member of the CEOE Management Board and of its General Secretaries Committee, a member of the Basque Social and Economic Council (CESV) and of the State, and a SPRI board member. I have also been the founder and board member of the Basque Foundation for Quality Promotion (Euskalit), a member of the Supervisotry Committee of the Extraordinary Plan for the Rescue, Restructuring and Relaunch of Industry (3R PLan) and of the Basque Statistics Institute (Eustat), as well as of the Basque Internationalisation Council and of the CEOE Fiscal Policy Committee.

With over 15 years living and working on different continents, Europe (Germany), Asia (Turkey and China) and Latin America (Mexico), internationalisation is an essential part of my career. The focus has always been on supporting companies in their internationalisation processes and in the diversification towards new markets and customers worldwide. In 2014, I joined the Basque Government where I headed the Business Internationalisation Division, and have been the General Manager of BasqueTrade & Investment since January 2018.

I work day in, day out to ensure Basque SMEs are prepared to meet the challenges of internationalisation, and for BasqueTrade to be their strategic ally, to design together adapted solutions for Basque companies to progress on the path of internationalisation.

Juan Gamboa, Researcher at Orkestra, is a graduate in Psychology, PhD in the field of Work and Organisational Psychology and has postgraduate studies in Consumer Psychology.

His research and teaching activity focuses on the education-employment relationship, especially in the analysis of employability, job placement, job quality and skills and career development.

At the research level, he has developed applied and scientific studies in various articles, book chapters, research reports, conferences and presentations at international conferences.

At the teaching level, he has designed and taught courses on different topics at several universities and has supervised and assessed master’s dissertations. He has also been an external evaluator of different research products and international projects in the field of education.

At the academic management level, he has carried out group management and research projects. At the business level, he has experience in human resources area and research projects in the company.

Laura Marrón is a telecommunications engineering and has an executive MNBA, with over 15 years’ experience in technological fields. General Manager of the Basque Artificial Intelligence Center since it started operating in 2022. Leading the mission of accelerating the implementation of artificial intelligence in Basque industry, by creating an ecosystem that positions the Basque Country as an international benchmark hub.

Her business management vision is focused on ethics and the social responsibility of adopting the new technologies, by emphasising their usefulness, and facilitating an accessible digital transition.

Laura had previously worked in the energy sector, with a focus on project and business management, and always working closely with the R&D technical area, along with the business development and strategy, she has extensive knowledge of the challenges to develop and produce industrial products. She has a sound technical base in Smart Grids, Smart Metering, and Communications, and is a technological leader within her sector.

Fernando Sáenz is Managing Director and co-founder of Savvy Data Systems. For the last fifteen years, Fernando has managed companies whose main activity is related to digitalisation, where he ascertained that smart data exploitation significantly improved the results in different areas of the company; he likewise determined that digitalisation for a factory is not an end in itself, but rather a means to achieve a real impact on the business. During his career, he has interviewed managers from over 200 industrial companies, and has been involved in connecting over 600 factories to digital analysis services; furthermore, he has driven the design, development and marketing of a powerful analysis environment that was recognised with the National Award for Innovation in Digital and Advanced Manufacturing.

Nerea has over 20 years’ experience of heading teams in the field of advanced manufacturing and with her focus on innovation.
PhD in Strategic Innovation, industrial organisation engineer, and with training in financial management and AI for business. Nerea is currently the Innovation Director at the Danobatgroup, managing director of the IDEKO technology centre (specialised in advanced manufacturing technologies), Chair of Savvy Data Systems (Specialists in digital transformation of industry), UPTEK and the Advanced Manufacturing Centre for Aeronautics (CFAA).

In the past few years, she has specialised and become greatly involved in the field of artificial intelligence, participating in and actively addressing the technology challenges undertaken by the Basque Artificial Intelligence Center-BAIC; and she has joined the Shaking Hub open community, whose aim is to foster, connect and develop talent in AI. Nerea is also a member of several Boards of Directors (BCN3D Technologies, Endity-player industrial that provides NDT comprehensive solutions and services, Innguma- competitive intelligence and technological watch software), where she is involved in the decision making and as a broker.

Assistant to CEO at VERSIA since 2019, in charge of business strategy functions and institutional relations. She is also on the executive boards of Cluster Gaia, of the Basque Artificial Intelligence Center (BAIC) and the BAIDATA Association, as well as being a member of the Tecnalia Digital Unit Board. Since 2009, she has belonged to the ESLE Association, the Association of Basque Free Technologies and Open Knowledge companies of the Basque Country, and has headed the Association for eleven years.

Eunate had previously held different management posts in Versia, including the Purchasing Division, and the Operations Division of Versia Infraestructuras and of Versia Sistemas. Professional with over 20 years’ experience in the IT sector in management and strategy positions.

The whole of his professional career at CAF has been in different areas of railway research. Pedro is currently Head of the R&D Project Management Area, leading the teams working in Modelling & Artificial Intelligence, Communications & Digitalisation, Embedded Systems (HW & SW)

Ainitze graduated as an industrial engineer from the School of Engineering at the Public University of Navarre (Spain) in 2010. Her end-of-degree project was at Safer (Vehicle and Traffic Safety Centre) at Chalmers University (Gothenburg, Sweden) on modelling the human body in automotive simulations. In 2015, she completed her PhD on the characterisation and modelling of the mechanical properties of different soft tissues at the Public University of Navarre and CEIT. In 2016, Ainitze joined the Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) at Tübingen University (Germany) as a researcher to develop innovative middle ear implants. In March 2020, she started at Cyber Surgery where she works as an Innovation Manager.

Graduated in Chemical Sciences. Post-graduate in Plastics and Composites. Over 30 years’ experience in technology research and development projects with the purpose of its transfer to companies. Extensive experience in processing plastics and development new materials. He has been intensively involved in designing and constructing innovative waste flow recycling facilities. Experience in participating in and coordinating R&D&i projects (at national and international level) in the following areas (1) the circular economy and pre- and post-consumption waste recycling as municipal waste, vehicles at the end of their service life, waste from electrical and economic equipment, packaging, textiles, etc. (2) development and application of mechanical operations (conventional and sensor-based) for treating waste fluids and fraction concentration (plastics, metal, etc.) and closing the material cycle, (3) social, economic and environment assessment of recycling operations and processes. Experience in the development of new businesses and R&D projects and in meeting customers’ needs as a supplier of innovative solutions. Active contribution to dissemination and training events related to environmental technologies. Part of his work has been in the R&D Department at the Linköping Forensic Science Laboratory (Sweden). He is currently in charge of the market activities of the GAIKER Circular Economy and Recycling Group, and lead researcher.

Graduated in Environmental Sciences (2002) from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, has a PhD in Applied Physics from the University of Navarre (2009) and a Master’s Degree in Science and Innovation Management from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (2021); her professional career has been in the academic and business worlds. Her research has focused on environmental technologies, particularly in the advanced treatment of wastewater and resource recovery.

She current heads the BRTA (Basque Research & Technology Alliance) transfer area and her activity focuses on driving and consolidating the conditions to transfer the knowledge generated in the alliance’s centres to companies to contribute to their competitiveness. She has been a member of the European Sustainable Finances Platform.

He graduated in Economic Sciences from the University of the Basque Country and has a Master’s Degree in Regional and Urban Planning from the London School of Economics. European Commission expert in the field of the environment and economic competitiveness.

He has been Director of Environment and Climate Change in the Basque Government. He has been working for more than 20 years at Ihobe, the Basque Government’s public environmental company, as head of environmental planning. He is currently the General Manager of Ihobe.

In his academic facet, he has taught postgraduate classes at various Universities on subjects such as: Agenda 2030, environmental innovation, circular economy and climate change.

Javier Aguirre graduated in Geological Sciences from the University of the Basque Country and has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from the Professional Association of Industrial Engineers of Álava, Gipuzkoa and Navarra. He has specialised in many areas of environmental engineering, wastewater management, air and noise, and waste management.

From 1998 to 2008, he held the post of Coast and Shoreline Hydrology Planning Officer and Waste Management Officer at the Basque Government’s Department for the Environment and Spatial Planning. In 2008, he was appointed the Authorisations and Concessions Manager at the Office of the Western Cantabrian River Basins of the Basque Water Agency (URA).

He has worked at different universities and areas of the Public Administration in the fields of environmental management, law and engineering.

Jose María Fernández Alcalá is the Circular Economy Director at Ihobe, the Basque Government’s Environmental Management Agency, and in charge of the Basque Ecodesign Center, a private-public partnership in ecodesign and the circular economy of the Basque Country. Over 15 years’ professional experience in the private company and the public administration. Mechanical Industrial Engineer from the Bilbao School of Engineering (University of the Basque Country), he holds a Diploma in Advanced Studies from the same centre for his “Engineering of the Ecological Design of Industrial Products”. Author of numerous publications on ecodesign and life cycle assessment, he is also a member of different technical committees of the European Union in Brussels and on international and national committees on product design and standardisation (UNE and ISO committees).

Eva Arrilucea has a PhD in Economics from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and is an Expert in Business Management and Technology from Deusto University. She has over 20 years’ experience in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East in advising public administrations for the development and deployment of innovation policies and technological policies. She currently leads the Think&Do strategy group at Tecnalia Research and Innovation General Management.

Ainara García Gallastegui is the Technology Transfer Director at nanoGUNE. She has a PhD in Chemistry from the UPV/EHU and a Master’s Degree in Management from Deusto University. Ainara worked in London for 10 years, where she led industrial projects at Imperial College London, University College London (UCL) and was also in charge of institutional technology transfer projects

Public policy expert with 10 years’ professional experience in EU policies and external affairs, business development, multilateral & regional cooperation, global development and EU-Africa relations | M.Sc. in ‘Public Policy, Globalisation, Trade and Development’ & B.A. in ‘European Studies’ | Currently working on EU regional cooperation in industry and innovation, and public support instruments for businesses.

Olena Bilobrova is a leading expert in foreign economic activities at the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office (Ukraine) with expertise in developing and implementing trade and investment promotion events, such as trade missions, business meetups, fairs, and national pavilions in the EU and Asia.

Xabier Alberdi has a PhD in Business Competitiveness and Economic Development from Deusto University (European Mention: CIRCLE Sweden), focused on cluster assessment and innovation systems. With a Master’s Degree in Innovation, he specialises in sector revitalisation and brokering based on digital and technological projects. Xabier is currently the coordinator of the ODC GAIA digital programme, and General Coordinator and Strategic Design Manager at BMH.

Degree in International Relations and Law, Warsaw University, Poland. Broad international experience in B2B environment. Designing business development strategies, new market entry, marketing of new products, running international-scale product launch campaigns, complex project management, market research, negotiation, contract analysis, budgeting, PR and PA.

PhD in Chemistry, she has developed the first part of her professional career as a researcher in different competitive R&D centres and, in the last years, she works as a project manager. As a member of the Cluster MetaIndustr4, she coordinates national collaborative projects and manages European projects
in fields such as Energy Intensive Industries, Raw Materials and Advanced Manufacturing Technologies.

Tom TerBush is EPRI’s vice president of Member & Technical Services and serves as President of EPRI International. He is accountable for EPRI’s overall funding and collaborative engagement with members and partner organizations in the United States and over 45 other countries in support of EPRI’s mission to drive innovation to ensure the public has safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy around the globe.
Since joining EPRI in 1997, TerBush has held a wide range of positions in Europe, Asia, and North America involving economics, nuclear, power delivery, sales, marketing, and technology transfer. Prior to joining EPRI, he worked with U.S. and Japanese organizations on energy economics, technology, and deregulation.
TerBush has a Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University, where he developed expertise in energy economics and the interplay of energy regulation, energy markets, and economic performance.
About EPRI: With a foundational mission to benefit society, EPRI delivers independent, objective thought leadership and industry expertise to help the energy sector identify issues, technology gaps, and broader needs that can be addressed through effective, collaborative research and development programs. 
Founded in Palo Alto, Calif., in 1972, EPRI is an independent non-profit energy research, development, and deployment organization, with three specialized labs. EPRI also maintains an employee presence in more than a dozen countries in Europe/Middle East/Africa, as well as Asia, and the Americas through its subsidiary EPRI International Inc. and its Ireland-based research arm, EPRI Europe DAC.
EPRI’s trusted experts collaborate with more than 450 companies in 45 countries, driving innovation to ensure the public has clean, safe, reliable, affordable, and equitable access to electricity across the globe.

Alvaro Bertelsen Simonetti is a Senior Researcher at the Vicomtech Biomedical Technology and Digital Health Department. In 2007, he completed his Master’s Degree in Engineering Sciences at the Pontifical Catholic university of Chile, and, in 2012, he obtained his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the Public University of Navarre. Alvaro has worked as a research assistant at the Imaging Sciences Department of Imperial College London (United Kingdom). Between 2009 and 2012, he studied for his PhD at the Gipuzkoa Technical Research Centre (CEIT-IK4) – associated to the Public University of Navarre -, where he working on developing navigation and planning technologies based on images for robotic surgery. Additionally, he worked as a researcher and project manager in the IK4-Ideko research and measurement line, working on the development of high precision photogrammetric systems for the 3D reconstruction of large workpieces, the development of artificial vision systems for robotics, and optic systems to railway maintenance. In 2015, he joined Vicomtech, where his work has focused on developing new technologies for computer-assisted surgery and care robotics for rehabilitation.

Xabier Mitxelena has extensive experience as an executive in the cybersecurity sector. His main projects include founding and being CEO of the S2 Group. He was the Accenture Security manager for Spain, Portugal and Israel. He currently chairs CYBASQUE (Basque Association of Cybersecurity Companies), and is CEO of Cybertix.

Ainara García has a degree and Master’s degree in Industrial Organisation Engineering from Deusto University. She has held the post of Project Manager PMO at Barbara IoT since March 2021. Ainara previously worked in companies including Euro Funding, F Iniciativas, EDP España, Bridgestone Europe. Middle East & Africa.

Dr. Cristóbal Arellano is an expert in the field of cybersecurity, and is recognised for his in-depth knowledge of protecting digital platforms. Thanks to his comprehensive grasp of the IEC 62443 standards, he has spent the last five years consolidating different industrial companies where his digital platforms play a key role for the business.

Dr. Arellano currently holds the post of Industrial Cybersecurity Researcher at the prestigious Ikerlan Research Centre. In that role, he leads the secure operation and development of digital platforms.
At the same time, he is the Coordinator of the H2020 IDUNN project, an initiative focused on establishing a robust security framework for Operational Technology (OT) environments.

Etxahun Sanchez Bazterretxea, Innovation Area manager at Perseus Ciberseguridad, graduated in Telecommunications Engineering and is a Technical Industrial Engineer in the field of Industrial Electronics from Deusto University; he has over 17 years’ experience in security/cybersecurity sector. During his career, he has worked as an R&D&i Engineer at companies such as Nextel and S21Sec, participating in international, national and regional cybersecurity projects, where his duties included researcher and developer of technology solution, integrator and project manager. Extahun has likewise worked as a security consultant and auditor for Ernst, participating in identity management and SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) alignment projects. Since 2020, he has headed the R&D&i area of Perseus Ciberseguridad, where he leads the organisation’s innovation design, helping to define the strategy in line with the Perseus general lines by means of the systematic generation of ideas, new knowledge, prospecting new technologies, and generating new business opportunities in the organisation.

Eduardo Jacob is Professor of Telematic Engineering at Bilbao School of Engineering (UPV/EHU) and heads its I2T Telematic Research Group. He regularly works there with data from communications and industrial teams.

Prof. Román Orús is Ikerbasque research professor at the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) in San Sebastián, Spain, and co-founder and CSO of Multiverse Computing, the largest quantum software company in the European Union. After obtaining his degree and PhD in Physics at the University of Barcelona in 2006, he worked as a research fellow at the University of Queensland, Australia, and the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Germany, as well as a junior professor at Johannes Gutenberg-Universität in Mainz, Germany. He was also visiting professor at the Universitè Paul Sabatier – CNRS, France, and at the DIPC. Prof. Orús has achieved several awards for his work, including a Marie Curie Incoming International Fellowship, and the Early Career Prize (2014) by the European Physical Society. He has written a large number of highly-cited scientific articles about quantum research, including foundational contributions to the fields of complex quantum systems and applied quantum computing. He is steering board member of the journal Quantum, member of the ‘Quantum for Quants’ (Q4Q) commission of the Quantum World Association, partner at Entanglement Partners, member of the Scientific Committee of the Pedro Pasqual Benasque Center for Science, and president of the Specialized Group on Quantum Information at the Spanish Royal Society of Physics.

IBM Quantum Innovation Centers | EMEA Lead

María Elisa Arroyo Olaizola graduated in Economics and Business Science from Deusto University, where she completed a postgraduate course in Financial Consultancy. Her career started at PriceWaterhouseCoopers as a company auditor for the financial sector and the Basque industrial sector. She joined Kutxabank (then bbk) in 1994, where she held different team management posts in the retail commercial network. She was a member of the bbk Social Work management team, where she specialised in assessing and monitoring social projects financed by the bank in the field of inclusion and social innovation. She currently heads the ESG department at Kutxabank, which comes under the Communication & Sustainability division. The department coordinates the work streams related to sustainability, particularly regarding aspects related to sustainable finances.
María Elisa has recently completed the “Management Development in Sustainable Finance Programme” at AFI School of Finance, and the “Certification in Sustainable Investment Course” run by Barcelona School of Management.

Deputy Minister for Industry in the Basque Government since September 2021. Mikel Amundarain held the post of Director for Industry and the Energy Transition at the Basque Ministry of Industry and the Energy Transition between 2020 and 2021; he had previously been the Director for Industrial Development from 2019.

José Ignacio Hormaeche is the General Manager of the Basque Energy Cluster. He graduated as a Civil Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and has a Master’s in Business Administration from INSIDE. He was the General Manager of the Basque Energy Board (EVE) between 2006 and 2013. During his time in that post, he was a member of the Board of Directors of different investee companies of EVE, including Naturgas Energía, Bahía Bizkaia Gas and IBIL; he also chaired the CIC energiGUNE and the publicly-owned CADEM and SHESA. From 1998 to 2006, José Ignacio worked for the Gamesa Group, where, from 2004, he was the Operations Director of Gamesa Eólica, a leading company in the design, manufacture and maintenance of wind turbines and wind farms. He had earlier been the CEO of SIEMSA, a company belonging to the GAMESA Group and whose main activity was to assemble and maintain electrical facilities.

Agustin Zubillaga Rego has a PhD in Computer Engineering and Telecommunications, graduated as a Computer Engineer, and has a Degree in Political Sciences and the Administration.  After working for a time in the technology sector, Agustin was involved in research and management at DeustoTech and the Engineering Faculty at Deusto University.  From 2016 onwards, he headed the Digital Economy Laboratory at Orkestra-Basque Institute of Competitiveness; his achievements included in-depth monitoring of the digital economy and of digital innovation and transformation to design digital public policies.  In 2022, he joined Vicomtech-Applied Technology Research Centre to head the Bilbao offices.

Degree in Economics from El Salvador University (Buenas Aires - Argentina), MSc. in Economics from Warwick University (United Kingdom), and a PhD in Business Competitiveness and Economic Development from Deusto University  (San Sebastián – Basque Country). Eduardo Sisti's professional career started within the Argentinian financial system.  He was an analyst for banks and at a risk rating agency, where he focused on insurance company and bank risk assessment. His main research areas focus on the field of development and regional competitiveness regarding business activities (e.g., internationalisation, innovation, Industry 4.0, financial-economic situation, etc.) and their interactions with public policies.

Jurdana Izaguirre has over 20 years' experience advising companies on the US market.  She graduated in Law from Deusto University, has a Master's Degree in International Law from The George Washington University Law School, and is a member of the New York State Bar Association.

Kizkitza Gurruchaga is a researcher at the CEIT research centre in San Sebastián. She has a PhD in Applied Physics from the Public University of Navarre (2010). Her research work has focused on non-destructive testing, analysing the ability of magnetic and electromagnetic techniques to characterise the micro-structure and production defects, including variations in surface hardness, grinding burn, residual stress and the characteristics of the hardened layer and the quality of the heat treatment. She has managed and provided technical input for different regional and European projects focused on developing new non-destructive testing systems that allow the quality of the products or production processes to be controlled.

Sonia Garai Moreno holds the post of Global HR Manager at the Arteche Group. She has over 20 years' experience in all segments of this post, leading strategic teams and policies, with a great impact on the business results.  Sonia has extensive experience in cultural transformation, optimising organisations, developing strategic plans and management development.

Researcher at the Energy and Environment Lab of Orkestra – the Basque Institute of Competitiveness since 2012. PhD in Business Promotion and Development from the University of the Basque Country; her dissertation was entitled the “Internalisation of the External Costs of Electricity Production”. Her research work at Orkestra is mainly focused on industrial, climate and energy policies in Europe, Spain and the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. She has taken part in projects on energy prices, the energy transition and energy policy challenges, particularly regarding electricity, but also in areas related to gas; the decarbonisation strategies of the economy, the circular economy and raw materials, energy taxation, green financing, and geopolitics, in conjunction with different institutions. Macarena previously worked at the Chair in International Studies at the University of the Basque Country, and was awarded a Basque Government grant to specialise in the areas of European Affairs and Interregional Cooperation. Macarena has published articles and book chapters in academic journals and the energy sector; she has extensive experience as a speaker at conferences and events of the energy sector.

Ainoha graduated with a degree in Industrial Technical Engineering, and has a Master’s Degree in Quality and Environmental Management, and a Master’s Degree in the Circular Economy. She has over 20 years’ experience in Environmental Management from a life-cycle approach, specialised in the Construction sector, where she has worked on environmental business sustainability projects: Environmental Certifications, Recycling Projects, Industrial Symbiosis, etc.
Aihoha has been the Environmental Strategy Manager at the Campezo Group since 2020, where she works on projects related to new environmental trends in keeping with the change of paradigm seen as bot a challenge and opportunity in terms of sustainability and sustainable development.
She is also a member of Eje&Co: Spanish Association of Women Executives and Board Members.

After graduating in Law, specialising in Economics, and with a PhD in Hispanic Philology, Alejandro has built his career in the commercial distribution sector, starting out at Centros Comerciales Continente (Promodès Group) in 1995, before joining EROSKI in 1997. Over more than two decades, he has held different posts, from Own Brand Manager, Textile Director and Purchasing Director, to his current position as Health & Sustainability Director in the Strategic Marketing Area, and General Manager of the EROSKI Foundation.
In tandem, Alejandro has been Vice-President of Intercoop Ltd. (international purchasing centre, which serves leading distributors in Scandinavia and Italy, as well as EROSKI), Chair of the Basque Federation of Consumer Cooperatives (FECOE), Board Member of the Basque Cooperative Council (CSCE), Member of the Basque Cooperative Confederation (Konfekoop), Vice-President of Elkar Lan S. Coop. (to promote cooperativism), member of the Executive Committee of the Spanish Network of the UN Global Compact, member of the Advisory Board of the Revista de Responsabilidad Social de la Empresa journal, member of the Basque Economic and Social Council, member of the AECA Social Responsibility Commission, and member of the Executive Committee of the Basque Ecodesign Center. He has also been a contributor to different media.

Basque Government Minister for Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment 2012-2020

Graduated from Foreign Trade Department at the University of Gdansk, Poland. From the beginning of her carrier she is involved in various international and regional projects dedicated to growth of Pomeranian companies and support in establishing international cooperation. She started building her experience as the consultant at Euro Info Centre, long term European Commission network project of international cooperation (EEN). Since 2008 she’ s been working for Pomerania Development Agency as the head of Entrepreneurship Development Department. One of her tasks is to help Pomeranian companies to develop international activities and build willingness to fast changes that economic world brings every year.

Mark Andries started his career at the University of Antwerp and the VEV (VoKa), the federation of companies in Flanders. Between 2004 and 2018, he served as chief of cabinet in three succeeding governments of Flanders (from 2014 to 2018 of the minister-president). Mark Andries was appointed CEO (administrator-general) of VLAIO (Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship) at 1 January 2019. Since the merger between two former agencies in 2016, VLAIO is the executive agency of the government of Flanders for entrepreneurship, industry and innovation (2019: 350 employees, budget of 750 million euro). Main activities: grants, services and organization of the network of intermediary organizations stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship. VLAIO has a pivotal role in the deployment of the economical and innovation policy (a regional competence in the Belgian system) and works closely together with FIT (Flanders Investment of Trade).

Director of the Basque Trade & Investment Brazil Office

Bonifacio García Porras is currently the Head of Unit for “Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)” Unit in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW). Previously, Bonifacio has been the European Union’s chief negotiator for the plurilateral Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) under the auspices of the World Trade Organization Agreement (WTO).

Bonifacio obtained his law degree in 1992 at the University of Salamanca (Spain), where he also carried out various courses on macro and micro economics. After his graduation at the Law Faculty, he became Magister Legum (LLM) at the College of Europe in 1993 (Bruges, Belgium) where he carried out European legal studies. Bonifacio is member of the Salamanca Bar and started practising European law in various law firms in Brussels during more than 7 years. In 2000, he joined the European Commission where he had the opportunity to work in the cabinets of Vice-President of the Commission, Ms Loyola de Palacio, and of Commissioner Piebalgs in transport and energy-related issues respectively. Bonifacio has also been working in different areas in the Commission such as European Semester, public procurement, energy, transport, innovation and communication. In particular, he has also been head of unit in charge for two Commission departments responsible respectively for innovation and for communication.

I am a results-driven professional with 3 years of experience in Human Resources consulting within the Life Science sector. Currently, I excel in my role as a Key Account Manager specializing in digital healthcare solutions for diabetes. My career has been marked by a relentless curiosity and a deep passion for the healthcare field, combined with a strong commercial orientation.