On March 26 and 27, 2025, Europe's leading innovators and industry experts gathered in Eindhoven for the Clusters Meet Regions conference. Organized by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) in partnership with Brainport Development, AgriFood Capital, and the Province of Noord-Brabant, the event highlighted how regional clusters are pivotal to innovation, sustainability, and resilience across Europe.
Members of the HIGHFIVE consortium, part of the SS4AF project (https://ss4af.com), made significant contributions throughout the event, sharing their insights and showcasing impactful initiatives:
- Kristina Šermukšnytė-Alešiūnienė, CEO of AgriFood Lithuania and Vice President of the European Cluster Alliance, spoke at Panel I, highlighting the value of cross-border collaboration for enhancing European competitiveness.
- Simon Maas from AgriFood Capital led participants on an engaging Plant-based Agri & FoodTech tour, vividly presenting Brabant’s cutting-edge agricultural innovations. Maas also emphasized how smart food processing can bridge technological innovation and sustainability.
- Veerle De Graef, Programme Manager at Flanders' FOOD, participated in Panel II, offering valuable insights into strategic funding methods that move beyond conventional metrics to achieve meaningful, long-term impact.
- Ákos Szépvölgyi, Managing Director at CTRIA, contributed to Panel IV with valuable insights on adaptive cluster models and strategies crucial for success in the evolving innovation landscape.
- Norbert Reichl, General Manager at Food Processing Initiative, shared his expertise during Panel IV, stressing the importance of strong partnerships between academia, industry, and government in fostering dynamic and versatile clusters.
The event featured dynamic discussions, interactive workshops, and immersive site visits that showcased Brabant’s vibrant ecosystem known for excellence in sectors like Robotics & AI, Circular Semiconductors, and Plant-based FoodTech. Participants praised Brabant's unique, informal approach to networking, which fostered genuine connections and collaborative opportunities.
Special appreciation goes to AgriFood Capital for their outstanding role in organizing the event, marked by professionalism and attention to detail. HIGHFIVE's active participation reinforced its commitment to fostering innovative collaborations and building strong connections across Europe.
This successful event once again demonstrated Europe's capacity for innovation through collaborative, sustainable, and resilient regional ecosystems.