In this session we will explore the concept of autonomous water management in agriculture. With water scarcity becoming an increasingly important issue, we will discuss how sustainable practices and management strategies are evolving. Is autonomous water management a distant dream, or are we starting to see practical solutions in today's agricultural practices? Join us to find out.

Autonomous water management: A distant dream or today's reality

The team Rootzone Dynamics from Wageningen University & Research BU Greenhouse Horticulture focuses on investigating processes around the plant roots and in the irrigation system. Research topics: alternative growing media, microbiology, belowground phytopathology, water quality, fertigation and virology. My personal focus has been on the application of water technology to achieve a zero-emission cultivation system with optimal recirculation water quality: prevent distribution of diseases via water, removal of plant protection products from discharge water, optimization of filtration and selective ion removal. Focus is on finding technologies that have specific effects on water quality, without inhibiting plant productivity, for example for prevention of biofilm formation in irrigation lines. The role of water composition and treatment on the rootzone microbiology is another topic that still requires a lot of attention.

Team lead Rootzone Dynamics

Project Manager

Franck Golbach is a member of the ‘Vision + Robotics’ team at Wageningen Research (WR), specializing a.o. in the development of computer vision applications for sorting and grading. He utilizes sensors in both the visual and infrared spectrum and has extensive experience with 3D vision technology.
At WR, he is responsible for developing the Plantalyzer, an autonomous robot designed for use in tomato greenhouses. This innovative robot measures various quality aspects of tomatoes and provides accurate crop estimations (yield predictions). The Plantalyzer and its predictive models, now in their final development stage, have been evaluated for more than two years in multiple commercial greenhouses. This technology promises to revolutionize crop management by enhancing yield predictions and improving quality control.

Researcher

Bio Filip van Noort, Crop specialist WUR Greenhouse Horticulture (Wageningen University and Research) &gt;30 years of experience in applied research
Fields of expertise:
Experience in general practical applied research with flowering and green pot plants, ornamentals, vegetables and ingredient plants like vanilla, black pepper, papaya, passionfruit, herbs, medicinal plants, perfume plants  (former) specialist on growth and development on various pot plants especially on flowering of for instance Begonia, Hydrangea, Kalanchoë. Also involved in experiments with crop health (botrytis), substrates, fertilization (effects of low phosphate), (diffuse) light.

Crop Specialist

Exhibition Manager

Tom Coen is a Belgian entrepreneur specializing in agricultural robotics. He holds a PhD in engineering sciences from KU Leuven. Coen co-founded Octinion in 2009, where he led R&D projects in mechatronics for the agriculture and food sector. In 2021, he became CEO of Octiva, a merger of Octinion’s agricultural robotics division and Priva’s robotic solutions. With his innovative, solution-driven approach, he can bridge technical expertise with practical applications in the agri-tech industry.

Vice president & general Manager

Jelmer, VP Product and co-founder of Digital Energy, leads a development platform that transforms data centers into energy producers, providing greenhouses with sustainable, carbon-free heat through high-performance computing.

Egon Janssen is Manager Greenhouse horticulture at TNO. In this function he is a broker between innovation needs of growers, suppliers and TNO’s experts. The main drivers of Egon Janssen are a broad interest in technology, the ability of making connections between people and a lot of enthusiasm. After finishing his Msc Structural engineering in 1998 he started his career at TNO. Remarkable projects are Greenhouse of the future, presented on the Floriade 2002, the development of a Food production unit for use on MARS (2004) and the development of energy indicators to reduce energy use of greenhouses. In 2004 he formed the greenhouse horticulture team within TNO, combining all relevant technologies (greenhouse structure, water technology, energy, light, CO2, ICT, Robotics and logistics). To make an easy entry to the knowledge of TNO he founded the Fieldlab greenhouse horticulture in 2007. This facility, nowadays known as World Horti Centre is a marketplace for innovation where growers, suppliers and TNO meet and discuss innovations. In greenhouse units new technologies are demonstrated on small scale, where after research and development projects are started. In 2017 he started a strategic partnership with Hortivation. TNO is developing new knowledge and transfers this to the companies associated with Hortivation.

cluster manager High Tech Greenhouses

Managing Director

Gabriele completed his B.Sc. at Politecnico di Milano where he also obtained his M.Sc. degree in Architecture and Urban Design with honors in 2022. He developed his thesis in Toronto with the title: “Downtown to Waterfront through Intermodality; How the hyperloop system can revitalize the public realm in Toronto”, with a research program at the Toronto Metropolitan University. He matured interest in mobility, technology, and innovation, studying how architecture and urban design can deal with them by looking at sustainability. 
Gabriele joined CRA in 2012. He currently acts as a Deputy and Architect, working in research and planning projects in the urban environment. He has been involved in CRA projects such as Water Batteires and the Franch Pavilion in EXPO Osaka.

Deputy/ Architect

chair of association "De Versnellers"

Aneesh Chauhan is a senior computer vision and robotics scientist whose career bridges academia and industry. He earned an M.Sc. in Autonomous Systems from the University of Exeter, United Kingdom, in 2004, and a Ph.D. in Informatics and Robotics from the University of Aveiro, Portugal, in 2014. After his doctorate he held post-doctoral positions on embodied robotics at Aveiro and in the Aerial Robotics Laboratory of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Since 2017 he has been a Senior Scientist at Wageningen Food and Biobased Research in the Netherlands, where he leads projects that deploy artificial intelligence to tackle labour shortages, enable autonomous agri-food production, and monitor biodiversity. His research blends computer vision, machine and deep learning, human–robot interaction, and natural language processing to create robots that perceive, reason, and collaborate. Current applications under his oversight include greenhouse scouting robots, AI-enabled quality inspection for food products, and vision and sound based large-scale ecological observation. His overarching goal is to advance sustainable, human-and-planet centric technology that secures resilient food systems for future generations everywhere.

Sr. Researcher

Mariska Dreschler has more than 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship, business strategy, business development and event management. As Director of Horticulture, GreenTech Global at the RAI Amsterdam, she supports the global food- and flower production industry by organizing trade fairs for these communities to connect, both face-2-face and digital. The GreenTech portfolio consists of GreenTech Amsterdam as the worldwide leading trade show on horticulture technologies and GreenTech Americas as the regional trade show in Mexico.

Director Horticulture - GreenTech Global

Willem is an experienced Co-Founder with a demonstrated history of working in the cleantech and agritech as a purpose and passion driven entrepreneur. As CEO and founder of FOTONIQ he is driven to make CEA more sustainable, efficient, and profitable.

Henry Gordon-Smith is the Founder and CEO of Agritecture, a global consulting firm specializing in climate-smart agriculture and urban farming. Since founding Agritecture in 2014, Henry has led over 300 projects in 50+ countries, helping developers, entrepreneurs, and governments design resilient, profitable agricultural systems. His expertise spans controlled environment agriculture (CEA), regenerative farming, ag-tech integration, and food systems strategy.
A recognized thought leader, Henry frequently speaks at global events, including the UN Food Systems Summit and World Green Economy Summit. He also teaches at Columbia University on climate-smart agriculture and consults on food policy and sustainable land use planning. His work has been featured in The New York Times, AgFunder, and more. 
Henry holds a Master’s in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia. A digital nomad and global citizen, he brings a multicultural, forward-thinking lens to agriculture.
Through Agritecture, Henry is building the world’s most accessible and data-driven platform for farm planning, with a vision to help global agriculture adapt to climate change. His mission is to make agriculture more resilient, transparent, and equitable through smart design, innovative policy, and responsible technology.

A native of Santa Cruz Ca, James Cunningham has pursued his career in cannabis cultivation his entire professional life. He is the founder of Vertical Air Solutions and Fog City Farms, a leading-edge vertical cannabis farm located in Watsonville, CA. When not tending to Fog City Farms and Vertical Air Solutions, James enjoys surfing and snowboarding, and farming his family vineyard. James is married with three children, and lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Director Of Cultivation

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

Douwe-Frits Broens is an expert in innovation management. Holding a PhD in Management Science he has 35 years of experience in the interface between technical research and commercial development. Throughout his career he had several consulting or management positions in applied research and business development. His current fields of interest are agrilogistics, vertical farming, biobased materials and biofuel production.

Bas is one of the project leaders at the Delphy Improvement Centre where he focuses on energy efficiency and crop health. He has experience in several horticultural crops including vegetables and ornamentals. After receiving his Master of Science degree in Plant Sciences at Wageningen University & Research, he worked as a crop health specialist. The experience and knowledge he has gained during this period are now applied in energy efficiency research.

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

Born and raised in the heart of the Dutch Westland, Renko Schuil has been immersed in fresh food production from an early age. His career in the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry spans over two decades, during which he has gained extensive expertise across various facets of the sector. From hardware and growing systems to climate control, lighting, logistics, and automation, Renko has developed a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationships between these key components. His broad experience enables him to take a holistic approach, helping growers and industry leaders optimize their operations with innovative solutions.
Renko is now representing TTA-ISO as Sales Manager Food. At TTA-ISO, ‘Food’ refers to all edible and medicinal crops grown in controlled environments, from high-tech greenhouses to fully enclosed vertical farms. With a strong focus on plant handling and processing, TTA-ISO applies its 25+ years of expertise in robotics and automation to develop turnkey solutions that improve efficiency and consistency in indoor farming.

Sales Manager Food

After twenty years I stopped as an orthopedic surgeon to start the Caring Doctors Foundation. A fast-growing organization by and for healthcare professionals, working on the health of the planet and humans with a mainly plant based food system.
In a mainly plant-based food system (Planetary Health Diet) there is less health damage from welfare diseases, less environmental damage and more food security. We provide training, education and guidance within care and cure institutions and beyond to first accelerate all institutional kitchens towards a (mainly) plant-based food supply (80% plant based).
We do this together with many partners (leaders in agriculture and horticulture, dietitians, teachers and chefs).
As a concerned father, I hope to contribute a little to a livable planet for future generations.

Chairman Caring Doctors

Selwin is a researcher in the Greenhouse Horticulture Business Unit of Wageningen Research, where he is part of the Greenhouse Automation & Robotics team. His research focuses on the use of computer vision and spectral imaging for the detection of pests and diseases, plant phenotyping and the non-invasive measurement of chemical compounds.

Researcher Sensors & Data Science

Directory Board

Manager Smart Growing

Marcus Comaschi is the founder and CEO of GyroPlant, a UK-based company advancing next-generation plant cultivation in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), smart at-home hydroponics, and space-based plant research by eliminating traditional single-use substrates. Under Marcus’s leadership, GyroPlant develops clean, reusable, and waste-free substrate technology that enables resilient, future-ready food production systems. Over the past three years, GyroPlant’s novel silicone rubber seed cups have been integrated into more than 125 international R&D projects, supporting a wide range of crops-from peas and strawberries to eucalyptus saplings. Trusted by hydroponic growers and research institutions worldwide, Marcus has also forged collaborations with leading companies such as Dole UK to accelerate sustainable, substrate-free cultivation in both hybrid and indoor plant cultivation systems.

Founder and CEO

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

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

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.

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

Ned’s 15 years in horticulture have been paved with enormous passion for growing plants. It has been an ongoing journey - from managing tree nursery production in the continental climate of Bosnia to overseeing high-tech vegetable production in the Omani desert. These experiences have been both rewarding and uplifting. Without neglecting his main passion—growing—he has developed into a consultant in the substrate industry, drawing inspiration from the stunning Nordic landscapes. His passion lies in helping fellow growers optimize their crop performance by analysing crop data sets and selecting the ideal growing media solutions. In recent years, he has focused his energy on helping growers transition smoothly into the future and begin learning about the new generation of growing media. From North American leafy greens and ornamental growers to Chinese blueberry growers in Yunnan, he does his best to help them choose the optimal substrate solution and make the most of their crop resources.

Director, Portfolio Management

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

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.

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

Team Lead Intelligent Algorithms

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.

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.

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.

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.

Owner

René Beerkens is a seasoned horticultural expert with over two decades of experience at Hoogendoorn Growth Management, a global leader in sustainable automation solutions for greenhouse horticulture. As a Data-Driven Growing Consultant, he supports growers worldwide by explaining  and implementing the principles of Plant Empowerment—a holistic approach to optimizing plant growth through data, climate control, and collaboration.
With a strong focus on innovation, Beerkens has witnessed and contributed to the rapid evolution of horticultural technology, from advanced climate computers to precision sensors. 
Beerkens was also a key member of Team AuTomatoes, the winning team of the prestigious Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge organized by Wageningen University. He helped to design the algorithms that led the team to victory by optimizing crop yield, quality and Nett-profit using data-driven algorithms
 His collaborative 'down to earth' -mindset and dedication to continuous learning have made him a respected figure in the international horticultural community.

Senior Data Driven Growing Specialist

Passionate in nature and agriculture. MSc in greenhouse horticulture at Wageningen University. Expert in CEA, soilless systems, hydroponic, plant nutrition, fertigation, and closed irrigation systems.   Currently a researcher in plant nutrition at Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture. Developing technology for the horticultural sector and furthering the knowledge of greenhouse crop nutrition.

Sonny has been consulting growers for years on cannabis cultivation in countries where medicinal cannabis is legalized. His cultivation experience and expertise is strengthened as result of his involvement in trials at Wageningen University.
Not surprisingly, Sonny holds a master’s degree in plant science from Wageningen University with greenhouse horticulture as his specialization. He understands the importance of working together with the pharmaceutical, horticultural & hobby industry in the cannabis sector. Through his experience in his extensive network he learnt that cultivation expertise is a crucial factor to make growing facilities a success.

Managing Partner

Hi, I'm Kim! Welcome to GreenTech.

Exhibition Manager Domain Horticulture

Born and raised near the city of Mechelen, in Belgium’s main greenhouse vegetable‑growing area. As the son of a tomato and lettuce grower he literally grew up between the plants in a greenhouse. That’s where his passion for plants and greenhouse growing originates.
 
Specialized in hydroponic growing of leafy vegetables and herbs in open field, greenhouses or closed environments, and plant propagation. Currently consulting and supporting projects all over the world in different climate zones (like Japan, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and North America).

Sjaak is a driven and forward-thinking innovator with a deep passion for technology and sustainability. With years of executive experience at leading suppliers in horticultural automation and robotics, he plays an active role in the digital transformation of the industry. Sjaak has a unique talent for translating strategy into tangible results. His mission: to successfully leverage technology as a catalyst for a more sustainable world.
As founder of DigiVation, Sjaak firmly believes in the power of simplicity: complex knowledge, simply understood. On stage, he shares not only his expertise but also his personal journey and vision for the digital future of horticulture. With a sharp eye for scalability and human-centered solutions, he demonstrates how AI and XR technologies can drive the success of innovation in horticulture – accessible, applicable, and truly inspiring.

Founder, owner

Soil scientist and grower turned technology developer with a passion for agriculture, food, and food production.
Experience working across controlled environment agriculture firstly as a user of innovation and technology and now a leader in digitising and innovating in agriculture.
Takes great enjoyment working across multi-disciplinary teams amongst software, hardware bringing what the user needs to the forefront

Simone is the chairman of the Union of coffeeshop retailers in the Netherlands, kandidate for the European Parlement and working at the national and international level to advance regulation of cannabis and to professionalize the emerging industry. She is ons of the key figures who advocates on the legalization on a European level.

Voorzitter

Director of Business Development & Sustainability

Gonçalo is a Robotics Engineer who started his journey as a researcher at the Institute of Systems and Robotics at the University of Coimbra, Portugal. Afterwards he became the CTO, and later CEO of CoolFarm, a cloud-based, AI software company that developed control systems for indoor farming. He is currently the CEO of Periplo Innovation and Head of Software and Robotics at PlanetFarms.

Head of Software and Robotics

Co-founder and CEO of UK and US based crop genetics platform, Phytoform. A passionate crop geneticist with an unshakeabe belief that improving the genetics of the crops we eat and use can make a more sustainable food system.

Ruud Schulte, as the Manager of Innovation, Sales & Technology for the Filtration Division at Van der Ende Group, brings extensive expertise to his role. He leads the development and implementation of innovative filtration solutions while driving sales growth and technological advancements. Ruud's leadership ensures the division remains at the forefront of industry innovation and market competitiveness.

Manager Innovation, Sales & Technology

For the past 20 years Jorik Bremer MSc, has been on the forefront of industry disruptions and operated in the centre of new technological advances. Having worked at large companies (e.g Microsoft) and founding several technology startups his focus has been on the agricultural industry for many years. Backed by Google R&D Jorik launched the world's first purpose-built industry cloud for agriculture in the EMEA region for India based Cropin. As a director he currently oversees international growth at Hudson River Biotechnology, a CRISPR gene editing company based out of Wageningen the Netherlands.

Director Sales

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

Reinier Wolterbeek is the Chief Product Officer at ONNA Greens, Norway's largest commercial Indoor Vertical Farm. He is largely accountable for moving trial crops into commercial crops.
Before joining ONNA, Reinier was the co-founder and CTO of Sundrop Farms, developing, building and operating 6 medium & high-tech greenhouses in Australia, the Middle East, Europe and USA, growing tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, strawberries & raspberries. 
Reinier has over &gt;20 years of innovative CEA experience with MSc degree from Wageningen University & Research.

Professor

Green architect, inspirator and strategist.

Founder of Learning Academy Worldwide, Theophilus van Rensburg Lindzter's blend of practical agricultural education experience, focus on relevant technology solutions, expertise in modern agricultural practices like CEA, strong project management and communication skills, and his ability to facilitate engaging dialogue will moderate this session on new CO₂ sources that are essential for optimal plant production.

Founder

Tenair

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