Food Tech Innovations: Connecting Europe's Living Labs
Final conference
After two years of collaboration, cross-border learning, and hands-on innovation, the SIXFOLD project is coming together for its closing conference. This two-day event brings the Food Tech Living Lab network to the heart of the Dutch agri-food region to reflect on what has been achieved, celebrate the expansion of our European community, and set the course for what comes next. The conference gathers Living Lab practitioners, researchers, policymakers, clusters, and food tech companies from across Europe to explore how our network of Living Labs can continue to thrive — and how it can serve as a model for accelerating innovation in the food sector. Whether you've been part of the SIXFOLD journey from the start or are discovering our network for the first time, this is the place to connect, learn, and shape the future of food tech innovation in Europe.
Practical Information
Location Day 1 takes place at the Fletcher Hotel in Helmond, conveniently located next to the Bodec facility. Day 2 continues in Helmond before moving to the Noordkade innovation district in Veghel.
Getting There The venue is easily accessible from both Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam) and Eindhoven Airport. A direct train connects Schiphol to Helmond station in under two hours. From Eindhoven Airport, take bus 400 to Eindhoven Central Station and then the train to Helmond (approximately 49 minutes). Tickets can be paid with a contactless debit card directly on board — no advance booking needed.
Accommodation We recommend staying at the Fletcher Hotel in Helmond (~€120/night), located right next to the Day 1 venue.
Who Should Attend?
This conference is designed for everyone with an interest in food tech innovation and Living Lab ecosystems — from Living Lab managers and food tech companies to researchers, regional government representatives, cluster organisations, and European network members. We are expecting 60 to 70 participants for an engaged and dynamic gathering.
Day 1 — From Living Labs to a European Network
Tuesday, 22 September 2026 | Fletcher Hotel, Helmond
The first day focuses on the outcomes and impact of SIXFOLD. We will look back at the journey of our Living Labs, share the key barriers we identified and the breakthroughs we achieved, and open a conversation about how individual Labs can form a stronger, more connected European network.
Highlights include:
• An introduction to the SIXFOLD project: objectives, achievements, and key learnings
• Highlights from study visits and Living Lab activities across partner countries
• A gallery walk showcasing all participating Living Labs — with videos and posters
• A panel discussion on the joint Action Plan for the European Living Lab network
• A celebration of the new organisations joining the network through Memoranda of Understanding
• Networking drinks and dinner
Day 2 — Innovation in Practice
Wednesday, 23 September 2026 | Bodec (Helmond) & Noordkade (Veghel)
The second day takes us out of the conference room and into the labs themselves. We travel to two iconic food tech locations in the Dutch Brainport region for an up-close look at innovation in action.
Morning: Visit to Bodec in Helmond — one of the region's leading food technology Living Labs
Afternoon: Transfer to Noordkade in Veghel for lunch and a visit to the QING Food Automation Living Lab, hosted at the Chocolate Factory
Closing reflections, remarks, and networking drinks
Program
DAY 1
22 September - From Living Labs to a European Network
📍 Fletcher Hotel Helmond in North Brabant, Scheepsboulevard 2, 5705 KZ Helmond, Netherlands
11:00
Peer to peer session for Living Labs
An informal netwoking session exclusively for Living Lab representatives to share experiences, exchange insights and build connections ahead of the main event. This is a closed session for pre-registered Living Lab participants only.
12:45
Arrival and registration
Doors open for participant registration and welcome. Pick up your name badge and event materials, and get settled before the programme begins.
13:30
Opening and welcome
Setting the stage for the day ahead and providing a brief overview of the programme.
13:40
Introducing SIXFOLD – objectives, achievements and key learnings
Project coordinator Markus Ojala (SeAMK) presents an overview of the SIXFOLD project — its core objectives, key achievements to date, and the learnings gathered throughout the journey.
13:55
Living Labs in action
Dr Nele Jantz (TH-OWL) and Karen Casier (Flanders' Food) take participants through the journey of SIXFOLD's Living Labs, showcasing highlights from study visits across partner regions and presenting the real-world barriers the project identified and addressed along the way.
14:15
Barriers & breakthroughs – lessons from the barrier cases
Martin van Rooij (Agrifood Capital) shares an honest account of the challenges encountered across the SIXFOLD barrier cases, reflecting on what worked, what didn't, and the key breakthroughs that shaped the project's approach.
14:45
Coffee break & poster session
Take a break and explore the Living Labs gallery, where participants can browse posters and roll-up displays from SIXFOLD's Living Labs, connect with representatives, and spark conversations.
15:30
From individual labs to a network – towards a joint action plan
A facilitated panel discussion, opened with a short introduction to frame the conversation, exploring how individual Living Labs can come together as a cohesive network and what a shared action plan for the future might look like.
16:10
What's Next for the European Living Lab Network and Beyond?
Simon Maas (Agrifood Capital) looks ahead to the future of the Living Lab network, exploring opportunities for continued collaboration at national and European level and inviting participants to consider how they can stay connected and build on the momentum of SIXFOLD beyond the project's lifetime.
16:25
Wrap-up
The moderator brings Day 1 to a close with a summary of the key themes and takeaways from the day's sessions, and sets expectations for what participants can look forward to on Day 2.
16:35
New Living Labs & organisations joining the network
A celebratory session welcoming the newest members to the SIXFOLD network, as incoming Living Labs and organisations present short pitches introducing themselves and their ambitions. A moment to mark the growth of the network and look ahead to what the new additions will bring.
17:05
Networking drinks and dinner
DAY 2
23 September — Innovation in Practice
📍Food processing company Bodec, Scheepsboulevard 3, 5705 KZ Helmond, Netherlands
9:15
Welcome coffee
Doors open for Day 2 registration. Grab a coffee, reconnect with fellow participants, and get ready for the day ahead.
9:45
Setting the scene
Markus Ojala (SeAMK) opens Day 2 with a concise recap of the key discussions, insights and outcomes from Day 1.
10:10
Presentation & site visit – Bodec
A presentation and guided tour of Bodec, a specialist in process solutions for food ingredients and biomaterials based in Helmond, the Netherlands. With over 30 years of expertise in extraction, separation and drying technologies, Bodec offers a hands-on look at how innovative food-grade ingredient concepts are developed, scaled and brought to market — a direct and inspiring connection to the Living Lab and food innovation themes of the SIXFOLD project.
12:05
Transfer to Veghel and lunch break
14:05
Group picture
14:15
Presentation & site visit – QING Food Automation Living Lab & The Chocolate Factory
A presentation by QING Food Automation on their Living Lab activities followed by an introduction to The Chocolate Factory and a guided site visit, offering participants a first-hand look at how cutting-edge automation technologies are applied in food production environments. An inspiring showcase of innovation in practice, bridging the gap between research and industry.
15:30
Final reflections
A moment to pause and look back across both days — what we have seen, what has inspired us, and what conversations are still to be had. Participants are invited to share their reflections before concluding remarks and a look ahead to what comes next for the SIXFOLD network.
15:55
Networking drinks
