For nearly two decades, TNW Conference has been a launchpad for the next big things in tech.
The likes of Slack, Wise, Bolt, and Trello all made their mark on our stage before becoming global brands. Visionary leaders from Google, Meta, and Reddit have joined them to share the strategies behind their success, while star speakers Edward Snowden, Will.I.AM, and Lila Ibrahim have explored the frontiers of innovation.
On June 19-20, we will return to the iconic NDSM venue in Amsterdam with a renewed focus on our founding mission: elevating the startups and scaleups that will change the world. Today, we’re unveiling the next stage of that journey — our sparkling new agenda for TNW Conference 2025.
Filled with bright minds and bold ideas, the agenda is divided into three key themes: Next in Tech, Growth & Venture, and Enterprise Innovation. We’re also introducing a new edition of the Assembly, an exclusive gathering of policymakers and business leaders, and bringing back TECH5 — the “Champions League of Technology.”
Every session and talk has been tailored to deliver real-world value to attendees. Startups, scaleups, investors, corporate innovators, and governments will all find a variety of sessions that can boost their businesses.
To bring the agenda to life, we’ve assembled a powerhouse collection of speakers. Here’s a small taste of the lineup:
- Vidya Peters, CEO of DataSnipper, the Netherlands’ fastest-growing tech company
- Jyoti Harani-Driver, COO of NATO’s DIANA, a new defense tech accelerator for the military alliance
- Pernilla Sjöholm, a survivor of the “Tinder Swindler” and now an advocate for fraud awareness
- Daniel Gebler, co-founder and CTO of Picnic, the leading online supermarket in the Netherlands
- Jeroen van Glabbeek, CEO of CM.com, a global leader in cloud software
- Ali Niknam, the CEO and founder of Bunq, Europe’s second-largest neobank
The dynamic agenda has been crafted by our expert events team, ably supported by the TNW Advisory Board of tech leaders. Leading the charge is Oliviana Bailey, TNW’s Head of Content.
“The global landscape is shifting, and European tech founders are at the forefront — both championing and challenging Europe to seize the moment,” Oliviana says.
“This year at TNW Conference, I’m eager to hear from founders, policymakers, and corporate innovators on how Europe can assert its leadership in deep tech and defense, shaping a more competitive future.”
Expect a mix of bright minds, sharp insights, bold ideas, and a healthy dose of controversy.
Let’s dig into a few highlights.
Next in Tech
At Next in Tech, a stellar squad of innovators and industry leaders will dive into the biggest breakthroughs on the horizon.
Healthcare expert Lucien Engelen will sound the alarm on employee well-being in Code Red: Why the Future of Work is the Future of Health. On a lighter note, viral comedy sensation Derek Mitchel — creator of @letsdoubledutch — will bring his razor-sharp wit to the stage.
Other unmissable sessions include:
- Quantum Race: Can Europe Secure Leadership in Quantum?
- The Aftermath: Deepfakes, Disinformation, and Disruption in Democracy
- Where is Iron Man? Why Tech Needs to be in Defense
- The AI Revolution in Filmmaking: Are We Ready for What’s Next?
Next in Tech is a major draw for Victoria Slivkof, a TNW Advisory Board member.
As the Executive Managing Director at program partner Extreme Tech Challenge and the Head of Ecosystem at Walden Catalyst Ventures, Slivkof keeps a close eye on disruptive innovations. Our agenda’s focus on emerging trends in AI immediately caught her attention.
“NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang highlighted that AI can now ‘proceed, reason, plan, and act’ requiring significantly more computing power,” she says.
“This shift presents opportunities and challenges for deep tech startups, particularly in semiconductors and AI. These innovators must develop solutions supporting advanced processing capabilities while addressing energy efficiency and technological sovereignty.
Growth & Venture
The startup world is changing fast. That’s why TNW’s Growth & Venture track will reexamine traditional investment models — and ask if it’s time for a shake-up.
Expect hot takes in sessions such as Off with Their Heads: Death to the VC & Building Smarter Investment Models. But don’t worry; we’ve been assured that actual executions are not on the agenda.
European competitiveness will be another big topic for discussion. We’ll explore future paths to growth at Death of the Unicorn: Can Europe Learn to Love Rapid Growth? and The State of European Deep Tech.
A session that’s caught the eye of Andy Lürling, a founding partner at VC firm Lumo Labs and a TNW Advisory Board member, is Getting Over the AI Buzz: Creating Truly Deep Tech Startups.
“I believe we need to harness smart brains and AI to help solve the world’s societal and environmental challenges, and in my opinion, we need to shift from curing to prevention in the healthcare sector,” he says. “AI plays a crucial role in this.”
Here are a few of the other must-see sessions:
- Been There, Funded That: Founders-Turned-Investors on Picking Winners
- Mastering the Exit: M&A Strategies for Startup Success
- Green Growth: Funding and Scaling Businesses for a Sustainable Future
- Scaling Success: Building a Performance-Driven Culture
Enterprise Innovation
Our Enterprise Innovation sessions will deliver sharp insights on scaling innovation and adapting to disruption.
This track is designed to help corporate leaders supercharge their digital strategies and stay ahead of the competition.
This year, TNW is also introducing a Corporate Innovator ticket, providing access to an exclusive lounge where business leaders can connect with the tech pioneers reshaping industries.
To support them, we’ve compiled a thought-provoking blend of sessions. Highlights include:
- New Legacies: Successful Corporate-Startup Collaboration
- Big Business, Big Change: Scaling Innovation for Net Zero
- Is DEI Dead? Exploring the State of DEI in the EU
- AI, Fraud, and the Future of Money: A Fintech Deep Dive
Ready to dive in? Check out the full agenda here and grab your ticket to TNW Conference here. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off your pass.
See you in Amsterdam!
