Urban Tech Forward | Rethinking Cities (original) (raw)
Europe’s premier event for urban tech innovators
Stay tuned for 2025 location and date reveal
Urban Tech Forward 2023 highlights
Decarbonising cities.
For people. For the planet. For good.
We all need better cities – more efficient, future-proof and safe to live in.
With two out of three people predicted to live in the cities by 2050, urban stakeholders need to do a lot of planning to keep up with the rate of urbanisation. The demand for innovation in the sector is as high as ever. The time for urban transformation is now.
Urban Tech Forward returns with a mission to accelerate the development of net-zero cities. Designed to rethink spaces where people live and work – through the prism of decarbonisation and resilience – it brings together urban tech innovators, VCs, real estate developers, policy-makers and most prominent entrepreneurs to shift the way we build and make real progress on achieving a zero-carbon future.
What To Expect
The Latest Buzz
The Main Stage is where you’ll delve into the nitty-gritty of market trends, soak up wisdom from the experts and meet the movers and shakers of the urban tech sector.
Innovators' Spotlight
At the Tech Talks stage, we hand the mic over to 50+ entrepreneurs decarbonising our cities. Get inspired by their vision and walk away with a whole bunch of investment ideas.
Urban Tech Challengers
Once a year, we host an epic pitch battle for urban tech startups. Grab some popcorn and cheer on 40 rising stars shaking things up in the ever-evolving sector.
Building Connections
Our Speed Dating program is the ultimate matchmaker for startup executives and investors. Network with decision-makers and build a community of shared interests.
Exhibit Space
Find your next BFF (business friend forever) at our exhibit space. It is the innovation hub of the event, where meaningful conversations flow and new connections blossom.
Incredible Experience
Productivity and fun collide at Urban Tech Forward. Enjoy an action-packed schedule of learning and entertainment, plus discover the vibrant city of Warsaw.
Speakers
Ulrich Ahle
Iris ten Have
Head of Science @ Extantia
Edelio Bermejo
Head of Global R&D @ Holcim Innovation Center
Valentina Shegoyan
Managing Partner @ REACH UK – Second Century Ventures
Renaud de Viel Castel
COO and Head of Global Expansion @ Rubicon
Shaun Abrahamson
Managing Partner @ Third Sphere
Mimi Eelman
Strategy – Energy Transition @ City of Amsterdam
Michal Lakomski
Director of Digitalization and Cybersecurity Office, Plenipotentiary of the Mayor @ Smart City Poznan
Jason Whittet
Digital Innovation Lead @ Amazon Web Services
Wouter Draijer
Colleen Schutte
External Venturing @ NOVA by Saint-Gobain
Lech Kaniuk
Dr. Olayan Alharbi
Business Development and Innovation Advisor to the Vice Minister @ Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Ministry, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Matthias Schanze
General Partner @ Rethink Ventures
Diego Santamaria Razo
Partner and Vice President @ Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Tim McCaffery
Global Investment Director – Deep Technology and Life Sciences SCG Corporate @ Siam Cement Group (SCG)
Juan Nieto
GP & Founding Partner @ Zacua Ventures
Conan Lauterpacht
Founding Partner @ Sustainable Future Ventures
Ami Kotecha
Co-Founder & Group President @ Amro Partners
Ines Bergmann-Nolting
Managing Partner @ Greencode Ventures
Shoba Viswanath
Early Stage Investor in Portfolio Companies @ Wefunder
Niklas Grunewald
Managing Partner @ Redstone Built World
Philipp Von Gilsa
CEO & Co-Founder @ Kontakt.io Inc
Bartosz Bartoszewicz
Deputy Mayor, Plenipotentiary of the Mayor @ Smart City Gdynia
Charbel Aoun
Smart Cities and Spaces Director – EMEA @ NVIDIA
Daphne De La Grandiere
Circular Economy Project Manager @ Saint-Gobain
Johan Berhin
Founder & Designer @ Green Furniture Concept
Katarzyna Wszola
Director of Innovation @ Veolia Poland
Arjun Jaira
Benjamin Kafri
Global Head of Innovation, Client Relations and Partnerships @ Bloomberg NEF
Boris Segal
Director, Digital Partnerships @ CBRE
Franc Mouwen
EIC Program Manager @ European Innovation Council (EIC)
Fabian König
Investment Manager @ PropTech1 Ventures
Daniel Scholz
Managing Director @ Footprint
Andreas Winter-Extra
Hans van Houwelingen
Managing Partner @ Urban Impact Ventures
MEDIA
Supported by
Data Partner
Industry & Media Partners
VENUE & HOTELS
Welcome To Warsaw
This year’s Urban Tech Forward is taking place in Warsaw – the dynamic capital of Poland. One of the most exciting cities to visit in Europe offers an intellectual feast that’s rich in history and charm.
Home to luxury retail outlets and modern skyscrapers resting next to historic libraries and museums, the city is known for the unique atmosphere that is both cosmopolitan and, at the same time, rather raw.
Make the most of your time at Urban Tech Forward by staying in one of the recommended hotels and soak in the electrifying energy of the city.
Organizer
Futurae is the fastest-growing organiser of international conferences and trade shows focusing on new technologies. Our team seeks to disrupt the traditional approach to industry events by creating category-defining tech-powered trade shows across a wide range of industries – from energy to digital health to food technologies, and many more.
In light of global sustainability challenges, Futurae Media is on a mission to unite all stakeholders — corporations, venture capital funds, innovators, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders — in an effort to address sustainability through the power of technology.