Ryan brings more than 30 years of hands-on experience in the cannabis and horitculture industry. A second-generation cultivator and two-time Cannabis Cup winner, he has consulted with commercial cultivation operations worldwide. Ryan has held board positions with organizations such as the NCIA, RII, and Grow Up, and is a familiar face on the global speaking circuit with appearances at events like MJBizCon, Grow Up Conference, Cultivate, the Canadian Greenhouse Conference, and Greentech.
Before joining Cultiwool, Ryan worked with a leading LED lighting company, offering technical cultivation support not only for cannabis but also for a range of other crops including tomatoes, leafy greens, and ornamentals. Outside the grow room, Ryan is a passionate home brewer and was recently named the 2024 Front Range Circuit Homebrewer of the Year.

North America Technical Sales Manager

Export Manager

With a background in international business, I have many years of experience in lighting & vertical farming. I lead a multi disciplinary team of plant specialists, sales application engineers and business developers to build vertical farms globally, tailored to the specific and local business needs of the customers/entrepreneurs.  Key to my work are my passion for food, people and sustainability. 
Signify is the world leader in lighting for professionals and consumers and lighting for the Internet of Things. Signify agricultural lighting helps growers and farmers to unlock the power of light to sustainably feed a growing population and brighten lives. Within Signify Agriculture, Philips Horticulture LED grow lights help control many aspects of crop growth to get better business results and increase yield, quality and consistency of the crop.

Business manager Philips Vertical Farming

Ramin Ebrahimnejad is a Business Development Manager at the James Hutton Institute (JHI), a leading centre for agricultural, environmental, and food systems research in the UK. He plays a key role in connecting science with industry, enabling the delivery of impactful research and scientific services that support innovation across the agri-food sector.
Ramin leads commercial engagement for the Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC) and the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC)—two major initiatives based at JHI. The APGC is a cutting-edge facility driving innovation in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), crop phenotyping, and vertical farming, supporting the development of resilient and sustainable food production systems. NAPIC acts as a national hub for the alternative protein sector, fostering collaboration between academia, startups, and global food companies to accelerate the transition toward sustainable proteins.
With a background in data science and sustainable agriculture, Ramin is focused on advancing partnerships that combine research excellence with real-world application—delivering solutions that improve productivity, climate resilience, and nutritional outcomes in modern food systems.

Researcher Greenhouse Technology

Ernst van Bruggen is CPO and Co-Founder of Source.ag, where he leads product development and innovation. He focuses on building intuitive AI tools that help growers make smarter decisions every day, bridging the gap between plant science, data, and practical greenhouse operations.

CPO and Co-Founder

Jan-Kees Goet (1962) is Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality i from 15 June 2018. His previous positions include director of Police and director-general of Immigration Policy (Migration), as well as chairman of the board of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA).

Vice minister

With a solid 28-year track record in the financial sector as a bank branch director, I have developed strong strategic capabilities in planning, investment analysis, human resources management, and customer loyalty. Now, as Manager of the INNOVACAL Cluster, I apply this experience to drive innovation and boost competitiveness in the Andalusian agri-food industry, fostering collaboration among companies and promoting sustainable, technology-driven solutions.
I hold a degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Jaén, complemented by additional training in finance, taxation, and regulatory compliance. Recently, I earned SAP Financials certification, further strengthening my ability to optimize financial management and support strategic decision-making in digital environments. I also stay up to date through an Advanced Vocational Program in Web Application Development, expanding my competencies in digital transformation and process automation.
Passionate about continuous learning and the transformation of key sectors, I combine financial insight with technological innovation to create meaningful impact on business growth. With a practical and solution-oriented approach, I enjoy connecting talent, resources, and opportunities to add value to both the agri-food sector and the broader economy.

Cluster Manager

Teaching plant physiology and horticulture in HAS green academy. Next to that I am responsible for maintaining contacts between HAS and the agri-/horticultural sector.

Lecturer/advisor Horticulture

Country Director Morocco

Not an armchair expert, but with both feet in the trenches. As Global Innovation Manager Enabling Technologies at Koppert, Gabriël van der Kruijk applies technology daily to drive innovation for customers and colleagues alike. He cuts through hype, delivering clear, experience-based insights. Known for his energy and enthusiasm, he tells compelling stories and sparks engagement.
With over twenty years in tech, Gabriël has a proven track record of delivering digital and AI solutions. He founded four tech companies and has worn many hats — software development, consultancy, and management in international corporate environments among them. The connecting thread is a focus on customer-centric, co-creative product development. His wide-ranging experience lets him connect deep technical know-how with sharp business sense.
With his side business Gabriel Guides (Gabriel Gidst) he helps companies start and accelerate their transformation journey with inspirational keynotes, workshops and advice. During the talks, Gabriël shares concrete lessons and thought-provoking examples. During workshops he works alongside participants, helping them turn challenges and opportunities into actionable digital solutions.

Global Innovation Manager Enabling Technologies

Mexx Holweg is a researcher specializing in controlled-environment agriculture and plant physiology. Currently he is achieving his PhD in Horticulture and Product Physiology at Wageningen University & Research. His doctoral work focused on the photobiology of medicinal cannabis, with particular emphasis on the effects of light intensity, spectral composition, and air temperature on plant morphology, photosynthesis, and the accumulation of pharmaceutical compounds.
Holweg’s research integrates morphological, physiological, and metabolic analyses to better understand how environmental parameters can optimize crop performance and secondary metabolite production. He has collaborated with both academic and industry partners to advance knowledge in cannabis cultivation under controlled conditions.

PhD Researcher

Co-founder and Director of LettUs Grow. Current operational role as Chief Scientific Officer, focused on strategic partnerships, projects and academic collaborations.
LettUs Grow is an horticultural technology provider based in Bristol, UK. We design & build aeroponic technology & control software for glasshouse and vertical farming facilities; boosting performance across a triple bottom line. We believe careful innovation in agriculture can make the world a better place. 
Our Aeroponic Rolling Benches are designed for simple integration into automation systems, enabling existing glasshouse or vertical growers with hydroponic bench systems to easily upgrade (in full or part) to a higher performance irrigation system.
Our DROP&GROW container farms can be bought to aid trialing aeroponics anywhere, all year round.

Chief Scientific Officer & Co Founder

As Senior Researcher Plant Health I work at Wageningen University and Research Horticulture leading a research team with focus on hostplant resistance/resilience to pests and diseases in greenhouse crops.  I am an Agricultural Engineer specialized in Plant Production (Agricultural Ing. University of Bonn, Germany) and have obtained an MSc in Pest Management (Imperial College London, UK) sustained by a grant from the German Academic Exchange Service. Thereafter, I obtained a PhD in biological control of weeds with fungi (University of Fribourg, Switzerland). My research continued in the Netherlands on diagnosis and control of pests and diseases in indoor horticulture at the University of Leiden  specializing in identifying chemical plant compounds related to host plant resistance/resilience to pests and diseases. Identified compounds are subsequently used for resistance breeding, inducing resistance in susceptible varieties and development of biopesticides. Currently, I pursue the practical application of this approach at Wageningen University and Research leading research projects in: design and implementation  of sustainable and resilient cultivation systems in ornamentals, vegetables and bulbs; use of LED lights for induction of plant resilience; reduction of nitrate fertilization to increase plant resilience and most recently early detection methods of pests and diseases via (hyperspectral) imaging, volatile detection, airborne spore monitoring and use of electrophysiological sensors. As such I closely co-operate with government institutions, growers and companies in the horticultural sector.

Senior Researcher Plant Health

Jason Killing is the founder of Canaru and a seasoned professional with deep roots in the cannabis industry, beginning at the age of 16. His passion for cannabis cultivation led him to train as an electrician, a skill set he honed specifically for cannabis facilities. Due to the legal landscape in Germany at the time, Jason gained significant experience working in the Netherlands and later in Spain.
To establish a stable foundation in Germany, Jason entered the construction industry early in his career. In 2018, he founded his own construction company specializing in electrical systems. As a certified expert for electrical installations, Jason began channeling his expertise into the upcoming cannabis market in 2020. He has since consulted on and built facilities or parts of it for the CBD and medical cannabis sectors across numerous European countries.
With the renewed discussions around cannabis legalization in Germany in 2023, Jason and his team fully committed to the industry. Canaru now boasts 10 full-time employees dedicated to the cannabis sector, complemented by twice that number in their construction division, which is progressively transitioning its focus entirely to cannabis projects.
Canaru's impact is already significant, having contributed to or fully supported nearly a quarter of the approved cultivation associations in Germany. They have secured the first cultivation permits in Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, and Bavaria, and are leaders in navigating change-of-use permits for cultivation associations. Currently, two of Canaru's cultivation association facilities are actively producing cannabis, with several more under construction and in advanced planning stages.

Owner

Business Development manager

Marketing Manager

Mr. Quade Digweed, P.Eng is a greenhouse engineer employed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Since 2018, he has worked at AAFC on varied projects, covering greenhouse microclimate monitoring systems, smart LED lighting, implementation of autonomous greenhouse controls, and development of renewable energy controlled environment production systems in Canada’s Arctic.

Greenhouse Engineer

My name is Max van den Hemel. I am working as a Cultivation Engineer within Team Delphy Digital. My focus is on high-tech greenhouse vegetables and I bridge the three domains in digitalisation: green knowledge, data science and software development.

Specialist data-driven growing

With my team Synergrown, we recently won the second prize in the ReThink Food Student Challenge. I myself am a student in Biosystems Engineering at WUR, with a background in Mechatronics Engineering. I'm passionate about indoor and outdoor farming, computer vision, and data-driven modelling. I'm currently working on my master's thesis on GAM and root detection with computer vision.

MSc student

Business Manager

Ronald Hoek is CEO and co-founder of Blue Radix, a pioneering company revolutionizing horticulture through AI-driven solutions. With a profound commitment to sustainable greenhouse production, Ronald spearheads innovations that optimize crop yields while minimizing resource usage. With the Blue Radix team he unlocks the value of Autonomous Growing for greenhouse companies worldwide.

I am Niels van der Geest, graduated in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Wageningen and currently working as a cultivation engineer at Delphy, the Netherlands, with the focus on Greenhouse Vegetables. As cultivation engineer, I develop data-driven cultivation management tools that support growers in making data driven decisions!

Roel Janssen is the head of Business Development  at Planet Farms, a technology company that builds and operates fully autonomous vertical farms at scale. Before devoting his work full-time to Planet Farms Roel spent 13 years at Signify (previously known as Philips Lighting), where he was the Global Director for City Farming. In his years at Signify Roel became an industry expert in the field of vertical farming and has been invited to speak and share his views all around the globe. He was also a guest lecturer at the HAS University of Applied Science in the Netherlands. Roel graduated Business Administration in Eindhoven, where he still lives with his wife and 2 kids. Next to growing plants in a sustainable way Roel has a great passion for wine, which resulted in a WSET 3 certification.

Head of Business Development

General Director of the Agriculture and Food Industries Sector at the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA)

Chief Executive Officer

Paolo de Heer is working as data science consultant at the Digital Built Environment department of TNO. His research interests are artificial intelligence and optimisation, and he is currently the lead of the ‘computational models & tooling’ technology line of the department. In the High-Tech Greenhouses team of TNO, he advises on algorithms and modelling. Further more, he is also leading the AI team of the unit Mobility & Built Environment. He has a strong operational & long-term view, connecting people and knowledge through his extensive network and knack for effective and inspiring communication.

Data Science Consultant

Rozalin is the CEO and founder of Elenovations, a Norwegian company focused on sustainable agricultural technology. With expertise in engineering and innovation, she leads the development of energy-efficient systems that optimize plant growth while reducing waste. Rozalin is dedicated to revolutionizing agriculture through AI-driven solutions and low-energy techniques to help farmers improve yields and reduce environmental impact.

Founder/CEO

Niko Simos is an Operations Associate at Agritecture Consulting, specializing in vertical farming, project management, and sustainable food systems development. With a background in agricultural sciences from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and an ongoing MSc in Land, Water, Energy Resources, and Rural Environment Management, Niko brings a strong foundation in CEA research and practice. His research includes studying yield optimization for leafy greens under innovative vertical farming systems with artificial lighting.
At Agritecture, Niko manages daily operations across marketing, consulting, and business development, supporting strategic partnerships and delivering CEA workshops globally. His industry publications focus on advancing vertical farming practices, and he is passionate about leveraging technology and collaboration to create resilient food systems for the future.

Operations Associate

Dr. David Bubenheim is an Innovation Advisor and Senior Scientist for the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources.  Focus includes Controlled Environment Agriculture and, in that capacity, participates in the Global CEA Consortium (GCEAC) launched through a Netherlands / California collaboration.  Formerly a senior research scientist at NASA, he developed CEA plant-based, life support systems providing for self-sufficient, human settlements on Mars.

Senior Scientist /  Innovation Advisor

Tom Webster is the Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder at award-winning vertical farming business, GrowUp Farms. 
Since 2013, Tom has worked with Co-Founder Kate Hofman to take the concept of vertical farming from a small unit in London to a huge vertical farm in Kent, UK. GrowUp is a certified B Corp, using 100% renewable energy to produce their salads, which are distributed through major UK retailers such as Tesco, Iceland, and SPAR.
As Chief Technology Officer, Tom leads on plant science, data, and optimisation of our state-of-the-art controlled environment production systems that grow tasty, ready-to-eat leafy greens with minimal environmental impact.
In 2017, Tom was featured in the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work addressing some of the fundamental flaws in the agricultural systems in a way that contributes to a more sustainable society.

Quirine de Weerd has held various positions within Lidl Nederland in recent years. Since 2019, she has been working as head of corporate social responsibility & communications at the supermarket chain, where she is responsible for the sustainability strategy, among other things. She is committed to the mission of making a sustainable and healthy lifestyle affordable and accessible to everyone every day. "You don't always have to wait until something is imposed on you. Show what is possible," says Quirine de Weerd.

Head of Corporate Affairs

Frans-Peter loves commercial agribusiness especially marketing&technology. Huge start-up experience, allmost serial entrepreneur. Co-founded Corvus Drones in 2019. Customer driven and getting things done together is his attitude. Curious about new markets and people. Making impact is my drive. Give me a call: +31 624 431639

CCO | Founder

Rudolf de Vetten is Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Blue Radix. Blue Radix controls climate & irrigation in greenhouses with AI. Based on the goals and strategy of the grower, Blue Radix helps growers to produce more with less resources. Many growers have embraced this solution in the past years, winning back control and time. Rudolf de Vetten is responsible for the product strategy, data science development and HR. With a strong track record in business and product development, he has realized succesful data driven innovations in the horticulture market. Solid background in the field of software development, project management and energy technology.

Chief Product Officer

Luuk Graamans is a researcher from Wageningen Research, where he researches high-tech greenhouses and vertical farms in the business unit Greenhouse Horticulture. Our recent research focuses on the effects of the Energy Transition on the technical design of greenhouses. We will present the KasEnergieWijzer, an intuitive tool to design and calculate the performance of the greenhouses of the future.

Researcher

Edwin Kroon has a background in biology and dreams of copying nature’s nanostructures on everyday items. From bacteria-killing butterfly wings on a doorknob, to Namibian Desert Beetle to promote the foaming of beer, a laser can recreate functional 3D-nanostructures on any material. 
With EKYW Edwin Kroon wants to fully utilize the laser’s potential and demonstrate it as a viable alternative to chemicals such as: ink, glue (stickers), pesticides, herbicides and cleaning-products. Backed by academia, recyclers and producers alike it is safe to say that lasers are the future.

Laser Expert

Eva Helén is a co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Brave Industries, Inc.  BRAVE offers turnkey integrated energy solutions to unlock industrial development. Previously Ms. Helén held board positions at TERALOGX Technologies, and tech companies Vasion, and Sanbolic. A successful entrepreneur, Ms. Helén founded EQ Inspiration in 2017; Sanbolic in 2000, an enterprise software company, acquired by Citrix in 2015; and Number One GM which was acquired by Autodesk. Ms. Helén is the author of "Women in Tech, a Book for Guys." She was born in Sweden, and holds a Master’s degree in Business from the University of Stockholm.

Cofounder & CCO

Master in Sciences - Greenhouse Production and Agribussiness
Master in Sciences - Renewable Energy
Specialiazation in Climate controls
Specialization in Plant Nutrition
Agrilcutural Engineer

General Manager/Head Grower

The workplace is the best learning environment. Beanstalk assumes that all knowledge is already available.
As coach and trainer I am concerned with the individual people in the organization and I facilitate coaching processes to realize human growth.
Beanstalk helps to build future-proof companies in the agricultural sector by developing the people in the organization.
We approach learning and development of people as a growth process. We are continuously learning and developing! You can accelerate this process by working consciously and purposefully on development.  Together with Peter Klapwijk and Sjoerd Nieboer (family business 😊), we also organize away days for directors, management and entrepreneurs to reflect on leadership, trends, day to day activity and the future. 
I am also involved with Peter Klapwijk in the content and development of this Power day. Nice to meet you there.

Trainer/coach

Advisor at MEWA/SAFTA

I graduated in law in Florence (2009), and since 2018, I am (also) a research fellow in industrial engineering at the University of Florence: with the role of IP Promoter, I deal with the valorisation of IP rights of the University of Florence and technology transfer. In 2021 I founded my own law firm. I hold a PhD in Intellectual Property and Competition at the University of Pavia, discussing a dissertation on the commercial exploitation of the right to image. Since 2017, I have been a member of AIPPI (International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property), and during the years 2021-2022, I founded and co-chaired the Italian Group of Young Associates of AIPPI.
I speak Italian and English.

IP Promoter

Willy Contreras-Avilés is a PhD candidate at Wageningen University in the Horticulture and Product Physiology Group whose main research interest in focused in understanding the role of light in the regulation of plant specialized metabolites in medicinal cannabis. He did his bachelor's degree in Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry of Natural Products at Universidad Santo Tomás in Santiago, Chile. Later, he completed a double Master degree in Business and Science where he specialized in Cosmetic Science, at Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA. Most recently, he decided to diversify his career by doing a third Master in Plant Sciences at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, consequently leading to his current doctoral position where he is aiming to understand the effect of ultraviolet radiation on the physiology and specialized metabolism in medicinal cannabis.

PhD Candidate

Yvonne Geurten is Commercial Director at Harvest House, a Dutch cooperative of innovative, sustainable tomato, pepper, and cucumber growers. With deep expertise in strategy and go-to-market execution, she drives commercial alignment between growers and retailers, championing innovation and sustainable growth throughout the fresh produce supply chain.

Commercial Director

Martin is responsible for Certhon’s growth chamber projects. With a background in Optical engineering and climate control systems, Martin is specialized in (LED) lighting systems and growth chamber design. Certhon has an extensive experience in turn-key realization of growth chambers for the commercial production of vegetables and flowers as well as specialized chambers for plant research. For example, insights into photosynthesis and transpiration to achieve higher production and quality and improve recourse use efficiency.

Consulting Engineer Indoor Farming Systems

Research-driven art and design collective working in the realm of social dreaming and world-making. Our projects engage with the nonhuman: animals, objects, ecology, technology, and the spectres between and beyond categories.
We see nonsense as an antidote to “common sense” – embracing paradoxical stories to explore the ethical and metaphysical layers of our relationship with the (nonhuman) world. We create contradictory scenarios & propositions in which we appropriate ideas from fields such as science, computing, law and mythology. Our projects take various forms - interactive installations, workshops, short films, public sculptures, campaigns, chatbots and books. 
We enjoy curiosity, cherish compassion, and recognize that separating the human from the nonhuman is nonsense.

Artist

Manager Delphy Digital

Director of Business Development at Skytree, who develops and deploys smart technology that captures atmospheric carbon dioxide, enabling its use or storage to combat climate change and aid society and businesses around the world.

Business Development Director

Starting at Logiqs in 1989 in the field of software and controls I moved to designing growing systems in 2009. Combining innovative logistic, climate and irrigation systems to best grow plants is my passion. In the past years this led to various innovations, such as Bench precise irrigation, climate and light, 2D shuttles that drive through the greenhouse , or vertical farm, to take care of logistics. Lately most focus goes to creating a very homogeneous climate near the leaves of the plants. This allows for higher humidity that can speed up growth a lot and at the same time reduce the energy use.

Colinda de Beer is on a mission to connect tech with greenhouse horticulture. With a background as a horticultural researcher, software developer and R&D manager she is a tech translator and intrapreneur with over 35 years of experience. She regularly writes columns about subjects like innovation, robotics and AI. In her current role as a senior business developer for InnovationQuarter, she likes to combine a strategic and hands-on approach. This shows in her coaching and connecting students, startups, scaleups and companies from outside the horticultural and her role as initiator of RoboCrops and co-author of the digitalization vision for greenhouse horticulture.

Senior Business developer Horticulture

Wendy Walrabenstein is an economist, registered dietitian, and health researcher. After 15 years in the international financial sector as a banker, she made a bold career switch by starting from scratch with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She went on to earn her PhD with groundbreaking research on the impact of a lifestyle program, focusing on plant-based nutrition, physical activity, relaxation, and sleep, on chronic diseases. She co-founded Plants for Health, where she currently serves as CEO. This organization offers science-based lifestyle programs for individuals with or without chronic conditions, as well as for organizations seeking to boost employee well-being. Wendy is also co-founder of the Physicians Association for Nutrition Netherlands and vice-chair of Physicians Association for Nutrition International.

Grower Success Manager and Business Developer at Growficient, helping licensed cannabis cultivators worldwide enhance their irrigation strategies with wireless substrate sensors, an innovative online platform and tailored consultancy. - By optimizing irrigation and fostering a deeper understanding of holistic growing practices, I empower growers to achieve better yields, improved product quality, cost-efficiency, and sustainable water use.  - I drive business development efforts, focusing on expanding Growficient' presence in the US and EU cannabis markets. - My passion lies in leveraging technological innovation and product integration to elevate the cannabis industry, and advocate for the recognition this incredible plant deserves.

Grower Success Manager / BD

Adam Greenberg is the CEO and Founder of IUNU, a company that provides AI and machine vision systems to drive efficiencies and profits for greenhouse growers. 
IUNU & Mr. Greenberg has been recognized with a Medal of Excellence from Greenhouse Grower, best new indoor growing technology from United Fresh Produce Association, and was recently named to GPN's 40 Under 40 Class of 2020. Adam has also been a speaker & panelist at universities, associations, conferences, and recently sponsored an AI symposium for Congressional staffers on US Capitol Hill.
He founded IUNU in 2013 to revolutionize the greenhouse industry by using machine vision technology. His passion for agriculture came from his father who is a botanist and entrepreneur. Mr. Greenberg earned his degrees in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Washington and is former Amazon.com. He is a fifth-generation native of San Francisco and travels 150+ days a year between the Netherlands, Canada, and the US, where he enjoys staying active and the outdoors.
In Mr. Greenberg’s own words, “The credit for our success goes to the team at IUNU. Look at the change we’re making and look how far we’ve already come. At the end of the day, our goal is to add value to our customers.”

I work for Boerenbond, the biggest farmers association in Belgium. My function is research coördinator and teamcoach of Team Climate and Technology. My team consists of 15 employees who support farmers in making their agricultural and horticultural businesses more sustainable. We work on themes such as soil, circular economy, digital innovation, emissions, energy, innovation processes, climate, alternative crops and water. We achieve this by stimulating innovation in agriculture and horticulture; we represent the interests of agriculture and horticulture; we support our members through training and networking activities; we take action to improve social acceptance for the agricultural sector and we provide high-quality advice​ to members.

Research Coördinator and teamcoach of team climate & technology

Alana is an experienced researcher and practitioner in indoor urban agriculture, with a specialist focus on Technologically Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA). With a background spanning academia, applied research, and public engagement, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to food system innovation that bridges science, sustainability, and social impact. Her current work centres on developing equitable and low-emission food production systems through vertical farming and other TCEA technologies, exploring their role in reshaping urban food environments and improving access to nutritious produce.
Alana has played a leading role in designing and running experimental growing systems, including nutrient optimisation trials and circular economy models within indoor farms. Her academic expertise includes greenhouse gas emissions mapping, socio-technical systems analysis, and community-led research. She has contributed to UKRI-funded projects, collaborated internationally, and delivered public engagement programmes that connect science to local communities, schools, and policy stakeholders.
Alana combines strong skills with a deep understanding of the environmental and social innovation dimensions of urban agriculture. She is passionate about using innovation to build healthier, more resilient food systems and continues to contribute to academic publications, stakeholder workshops, and translational research that informs policy and practice.

Diana Gibson was first elected as the MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, British Columbia, Canada in 2024.
Diana was appointed the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation in November 2024.
Diana is an award winning community leader and entrepreneur. Diana was the Executive Director of the Greater Victoria Community Social Planning Council, where she founded multiple regional services and programs including the Greater Victoria Rent Bank. She is also a successful entrepreneur and CEO who co-founded multiple businesses including one which is Canada’s largest Indigenous-owned consulting firm. Prior to that, she directed a University research institute.
Diana and her husband live in Oak Bay Gordon Head where they are raising their three children and where Diana has been an active volunteer in school, community and parent associations.

B.C. Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation

Prof Harrison is the Managing Director of the Plant Sciences Group, which comprises approximately 1400 staff across 20 chair groups in Wageningen University and the insitute Wageningen Plant Research. In the Netherlands he is a member of the Top Team “Tuinbouw en Uitgangsmaterialen/ Horticulture and Starting Materials”, representing all Dutch Knowledge Insitutes . He provides strategic oversight of several programme boards for large regional and national initiatives on behalf of Wageningen U&R.  He is an honorary  professor at the University of Birmingham,UK. 
Previously he was an executive Director at NIAB (UK) with overall responsibility for NIAB’s portfolio of arable genetics, pathology, biotechnology, data science and crop characterisation. Alongside that he led NIAB’s contribution to the Crop Science Centre, the alliance between the University of Cambridge and NIAB, designed to bridge the gap between discovery science and societal impact. This alliance has received significant philanthropic support and rapidly established its position in the national innovation landscape. Prior to his role in Cambridge, he worked at East Malling as head of genetics, where he specialised in horticultural genetics and genomics of fruit crops.  
Prof Harrison has a PhD in evolutionary systems biology. His research group has worked to understand the evolution and genetic basis of complex traits, such as interactions between plants and microbes, particularly in horticultural crops. Outputs have included scientific knowledge, tools, techniques and products to underpin the sustainable development of the agricultural, horticultural and food industries, using both breeding and biotechnology solutions. His group was among the first to implement gene editing techniques in key horticultural crops and in fungi used for alternative protein production. Through collaborative work with industrial partners, he and his team have delivered disease resistance traits into multiple commercial breeding programmes, as well as having initiated new public-private breeding programmes funded by global partners.

Managing Director Plant Science Group

Managing Director of Plantanova and Horticonnect.
 Plantanova is a young vegetable plant Nursery where technology and talent meet to raise high performance plants.
Horticonnect NL is a consortium of Dutch companies providing technology, services and knowledge, linking the Dutch possibilities with the Mexican vibrant horticultural sector.

Managing Director

Director

Technology Creator. Cannabis Veteran. Helping People Grow.
Jay is a dedicated and passionate leader in the cannabis industry with over 25 years of experience. As a pioneer in cannabis production and post-harvest technology, Jay has devoted his career to elevating the industry by developing innovative solutions and empowering the people who make it thrive. His journey has allowed him to work closely with small craft growers to collaborating with the largest commercial producers around the world. Jay's unrivaled expertise in cannabis production, particularly in post-harvest processing, has made him a sought-after resource for those looking to optimize their operations and maximize their success. As the CEO of Keirton, Jay oversees a company that is at the forefront of cannabis processing technology. Keirton's cutting-edge equipment is deployed globally, processing millions of pounds of cannabis each year and contributing to the industry's rapid growth. Jay's deep experience and knowledge grant him a unique and valuable perspective, set him apart as a true visionary in the cannabis space. With his unwavering commitment to cultivating people and technology, Jay continues to drive the industry forward, helping shape the future of cannabis. Connect with Jay to gain invaluable insights and learn from a seasoned expert who's always ready to share his wisdom and passion.

Founder and CEO

Karma Genetics is a respected name in the cannabis industry, recognized for its deep expertise in cannabis breeding and genetic development. Founded in the Netherlands in the early 2000s, the company has built a strong reputation for preserving classic genetics and applying natural, stable breeding methods. Karma Genetics focuses on creating resilient, high-quality cultivars known for their unique terpene profiles and consistent performance. In addition to breeding, Edward is also active as a genetic consultant, offering expert advice to licensed producers, breeders, and cannabis companies worldwide. His consultancy work includes genetic stabilization, selection strategies, and the development of custom cultivars tailored to specific market needs. With over two decades of hands-on experience, Karma Genetics plays a key role in advancing the standards of cannabis genetics. Through collaborations and knowledge sharing, Karma continues to shape the future of the cannabis industry with integrity and innovation.

Steven Grundy is a plant scientist specializing in sustainable agriculture and precision farming. At Gardin Ltd, he develops and tests novel applications of plant biofeedback sensors, working closely with growers to integrate physiological data into day-to-day decision-making—advancing more efficient, productive, and resilient farming systems.

Senior Plant Scientist

My background in computer science has led me to see plant biology as the next big challenge.
At hexafarms, we've built an AI-powered, sensor-driven platform tailored for greenhouses and indoor farms. By blending computer vision with real-time sensor data, our system can forecast yields weeks in advance– and at impressive accuracy levels. This allows growers to optimize everything– from climate control to harvest planning– right from a single intuitive dashboard. 
I'm excited to connect with growers, partners, and fellow innovators to explore how we can further unlock efficiency, reduce waste, and build resilient food systems together.

Joost holds a Master's degree in Biosystems Engineering from Wageningen University. With a strong technical background, he specializes in developing strawberry cultivation planning and management software at Delphy. Joost leverages his expertise to create data-driven solutions that enable growers to improve their cultivation practices.

Cultivation Engineer Soft Fruit

Jef is an independent consultant for legal cannabis growers. As six-sigma greenbelt he improves and shapes business processes. For the scale-up that legal growers are he helps selecting and implementing the most fitting solutions for Seed-to-sale, post-harvest and Track and Trace. He writes regularly for <a href="https://cannabisindustrie.nl/author/jefmartens" target="_blank">cannabisindustrie.nl</a> about the Dutch Experiment impact, medicinal cannabis and Germany.

Analyst

With over more then 40 years of experience in the field of Horticulture, always following the latest innovations and today inspiring and motivating many young and ambitious people within the GreenV group to deliver integrated solutions with cutting-edge technology for our customers.

Global Sales Director

Laura van de Kreeke is a passionate advocate for sustainable food systems and one of the original farmers at Growy, a vertical farming company changing the way food is grown. Committed to making tasty, healthy, and affordable food accessible to all, Laura plays a key role in Growy’s mission to help create a more sustainable and resilient food ecosystem.

Farmer

Suzanne Verboon studied Biotechnological Engineering at Wageningen University and worked for several years as a manager at the Dutch enterprice agency RVO. She is now Program leader Agriculture at <a href="https://www.fme.nl/marktsegmenten/landbouw-water-voedsel">FME</a>, the Dutch Industy organisation.  Suzanne has extensive experience with innovative projects and programs, both nationally and internationally.  As Program Manager for <a href="https://nxtgenhightech.nl/agrifood/">NXTGEN Hightech</a> she uses her passion for technology and agriculture to accelerate innovation for future proof sustainable food production.

Program Manager AgriFood

Passion, commitment, and responsibility in their work, with a strategic vision through innovation as a differentiating element to improve products and processes in companies and organizations. A lover of challenges and long-term vision, moving forward with firm and steady steps

General Director

Cultivar was established with the goal of bringing an innovative agricultural technology to market, combining the expertise of Université Laval, Farm3, and Ulysse Biotech. The company aims to secure year-round strawberry production in controlled environments, while also ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality, pesticide-free, and insect-free transplants. These transplants serve as a critical input for Cultivar and its clients, enabling them to focus on the quality of their final products and to innovate in delivering healthy, high-standard produce to consumers. At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to sustainability, food autonomy, and cutting-edge collaboration between academic and industrial partners.
The company is led by Vincent Hall, Founder and CEO, who brings a strong background in international procurement and logistics. With experience in managing strategic, large-scale projects—ranging from infrastructure development to industrial partnerships—he plays a key role in aligning innovation with real-world market integration. Through Cultivar, Vincent applies his expertise in partnership development and agile project execution to create robust, scalable solutions tailored to market needs. His leadership ensures that Cultivar not only delivers technical excellence, but also fosters long-term value for clients and the broader agri-food ecosystem

Dr. Lesley Campbell is a Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University. Over 20 years studying pollination biology in agriculture, she trained over 75 students and secured $7.7 million in funding. Campbell’s expertise for creating tools for agriculture includes methods to clone Cannabis, extract cannabinoids, and assess risk of escape of genetically engineered genes. Drs. Bougherara and Campbell have developed a pollination tool for CEA raspberries that outperform outdoor farms by 350%.

Professor

Peter Hendriks has studied Commercial Economics and Strategy & Organization and followed additional training in Artificial Intelligence. From 2021 onwards, he is the CEO of Hoogendoorn Growth Management. Peter has an excellent track record at several software development companies in the horticulture industry.   Before Hoogendoorn, Peter spent five years as the Managing Director of the fast-growing software company “LetsGrow.com”. Now, with Hoogendoorn, he aims to contribute to ‘feeding & greening the world’ by creating synergies between the latest tech developments, new plant physiology findings, and world-renowned growing expertise. All in his pursuit to sustainably increase customers’ ROI while leaving the planet in a better place. He considers Hoogendoorn the best place to actualize his ambitions: a flourishing company where personal responsibility and personal development are strongly valued.

Senior Projectmanager Agro-Food @Oost NL

Mikel started with for FoodVentures as Project Manager in 2012 and has since then develop to his current role of Chief Operating Officer. During his decade of employment with FoodVentures, Mikel has worked in our operations in Busk in Ukraine, Belgorod and Sosnogorsk in Russia, Aqtobe in Kazakhstan, Shanghai in PRC, Hawaii, Kentucky and California in the US and Frovi in Sweden. Mikel holds a BSc in Business Administration & Agribusiness from HAS Den Bosch University of Applied Sciences.

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