Speakers
PANEL MODERATOR:
Patrik Sobocki
Lead Deep Tech and Senior Investment Director at Industrifonden
Patrik leads Deep Tech investments with Industrifionden and has a personal interest in technologies solving challenges in climate and health and future of computing moonshots.
Prior to joining Industrifonden, Patrik held the position as business franchise leader with IMS Health responsible for data and technology business in Europe, Asia and Africa including responsibility for M&A. He has a seriel entrepreneurial background and been part of building and scaling two tech companies in the healthcare industry that both were successfully exited to US buyers (United Health Group and IMS Health). Prior to that he held international R&D and commercial leadership roles with BigPharma companies in Glaxo Smith Kline and AstraZeneca. Beyond his current role with Industrifonden Patrik serves on the board of the European Innovation Fund with the largest deep tech fund in the world. In his spare time Patrik loves all kinds of racket sports, turned a passionate foodie and loves discussions over a beer to discuss how technology can solve for global challenges.
Patrik holds a Master of Science in Finance from the Stockholm School of Economics, a Master in international management from the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS) and a PhD in Medicine from Karolinska Institutet. He currently holds an Associate Professorship in health economics and epidemiology with Karolinska Institutet and has published research in over 40 international peer-reviewed journals.
Stéphane Ouaki
Partner & Chief Technology Officer at Lakestar
Head of Department, European Innovation Council (EIC)
Acting Director, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)
EXPERT IN THE ''EFFECTIVE BOARD MANAGEMENT'' WORKSHOP:
Mikko Suonenlahti
Partner at Tyrion Partners
A business builder in my 5th decade of supporting tech founders that invent the future. Have served on ca. 100 boards in 10 countries, mostly in Finland and the US
A frequent speaker on “Strong Boards“ at Directors’ Institute of Finland, EIC Scaling Club, Helsinki Chamber of Commerce and Tech Tour.
A lead investor of deals in 20 businesses which have raised > 500 M €, which has been realized for 2,5 Billion €, including two Nasdaq US IPOs and two with a 20x return. Three of these have initially been pre-revenue stage businesses. My latest 700 000 000 M € cash exit was in 2024.
Value add to founders / CEOs in strategy (go to market), finance (equity story, fund raising strategy, exit planning and IPO readiness), corporate governance (audit & risk management, nomination and compensation committees) and operational support.
EXPERT IN THE ''MARKET TRACTION & GROWTH'' WORKSHOP:
Ingeborg Gasser-Kriss
21st century innovation agent
Ingeborg comes from a Marketing, Innovation and Strategy career in the Food industry. As the Global VP of Innovation at Mondelez International, she designed the incubation and venturing unit "SnackFutures".
As a Strategic Advisor, she helps companies get better at 21st century innovation models and Open Innovation.
She serves on Boards and Advisory Boards of companies in the broader food sector, and as a Mentor and Advisor to startups.
EXPERTS IN THE ''WINNING EQUITY NARRATIVE'' WORKSHOP:
Jean-Michel Deligny
Chair of the Investment Committee of family office Triple B
Jean-Michel is a technology corporate finance specialist with over 25 years of experience.
Jean-Michel was Head of Technology Europe for UBS in the mid-1990s. In 2000 Jean-Michel started Go4Venture Advisers as a private placement specialist, which in 2015 morphed into Silverpeak, a tech investment banking boutique also covering M&A. Jean-Michel is now Chair of the Investment Committee of family office Triple B, as well as President, Nextgen Computing for EIC Scaling Club, the acceleration programme of EIC Fund. He is also on the Board of Sipearl, Hybrid Air Vehicles and Enchanted Tools.
Raphaël Schoentgen
Chair of Hydrogen Advisors
Raphaël Schoentgen is a private entrepreneur which passions and expertise are technologies, energy, climate change, international business and international policy.
In 2018 he created Hydrogen Advisors, a consultancy firm active both in the private sector - energy / transport / industry / investors - as well as in the public sector - international bodies / national governments / cities councils / financial bodies.
In 2020 he also started supporting investments in the field of hydrogen (providing growth equity to developing companies) and was for instance an early investor into Enapter and Hyzon Motors (prior to their listing on the Dax and Nasdaq).
As former Chairman of Hydrogen Europe and Chairman of the Board of the European Fund for Hydrogen, CTO of ENGIE and former international affairs advisor to a G8 minister of energy, he wishes to push for the development of the hydrogen economy today and supports the best companies in the field, being at the intersection of finance and strategy.
He participates regularly to Techtour events as jury member, and is also a mentor of the EIC scaling club.
CLUB SUCCESS CASES I MODERATOR:
Victoria Hernandez-Valcarcel
Member of several Boards of Directors
Victoria Hernandez-Valcarcel is a renowned leader in technology, finance, and innovation, serving as an independent board member, investor, and strategic advisor. Her distinguished career spans telecommunications, banking & finance, corporate governance, and deep tech innovation.
She has held top executive positions at leading multinational companies, including President of Orange Spain, Senior Vice President at Proximus, and Director of Mergers & Acquisitions at British Telecom Europe, where she led strategic transformations, large-scale investments, and corporate growth initiatives. Currently, Victoria serves as a Non-Executive Director (NED) for listed and private companies, providing strategic insights, governance expertise, and leadership across multiple industries. She is also an Investor Jury Member for the European Innovation Council (EIC), overseeing €10.1 billion in funding for deep tech startups across Europe. Additionally, she is an Expert Member of the European Commission’s STEP Program, focusing on investing in strategic technologies at the growth stage (Series B, C, D) to enhance Europe’s technological leadership and industrial competitiveness.
Based in Paris, Victoria is widely respected for her analytical mindset, inclusive leadership, and commitment to fostering sustainable, innovation-driven ecosystems.
CLUB SUCCESS CASES II:
Aleksandrs Parfinovičs
Co-Founder and CEO of Naco Technologies
Aleksandrs Parfinovičs is the Co-Founder and CEO of Naco Technologies, a Latvian deeptech/cleantech company developing advanced nano-coatings for green technologies, including green energy, green automotive, and green chemicals.
His focus is on significantly reducing the use of critical raw materials in key industrial systems. Naco is his second startup. With over 20 years of experience in manufacturing, nano-coatings, and industrial cost modeling, Aleksandrs has held leadership roles at Deloitte and Schaeffler, and serves on the boards of BalticNet PlasmaTec and the Latvian Hydrogen Association. Under his leadership, Naco has scaled Naco Technologies from lab to pilot line, secured a €2.5M EIC Accelerator grant, and raised venture capital to expand production capacity.
THE BIG ROUNDS IN EUROPEAN DEEP TECH - A LEAD INVESTOR PERSPECTIVE PANEL:
Stephen Nundy
Partner Chief Technology Officer
Stephen is an experienced technologist and engineer with a passion for setting strategy, introducing technology innovation and building high-performing teams for ambitious global businesses.
