As horticultural automation rapidly advances, one of the industry's biggest hurdles remains scaling from prototype to production. In this keynote, Tom Coen, CEO of Octiva, shares how strategic partnerships are key to delivering dependable, production-ready robotics for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA). Joined by Adam Greenberg, CEO of IUNU, the session highlights their successful collaboration—bringing IUNU’s LUNA AI platform to life on Octiva’s Xenion mobile robot. This integration is now enabling advanced, autonomous monitoring for high-value crops like tomatoes. Attendees will gain real-world insights into how deep-tech collaboration and grower-first innovation are shaping the next generation of horticultural solutions. A must-attend for growers, technologists, and CEA pioneers.

Growing Together: How Collaboration Drives Scalable Robotics in Horticulture

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.

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.

Researcher

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

Researcher Greenhouse Technology

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

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

Dr.ir.ing. Sander Mertens holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, specializing in "Wind Energy in the Built Environment." He earned a Master's degree in Applied Physics from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Inholland University of Applied Sciences. During his PhD, he led the Wind Energy/Building Physics department at the engineering firm DHV. He later co-founded Ingreenious, an international consultancy firm, and also co-founded Windchallenge, where he spent nine years working on wind energy projects.
In 2018, he was appointed Professor of "Energy in Transition" at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. He is an expert in the integrated approach of the energy transition, with a focus on system integration of hydrogen, direct current, and low-temperature heat. In June 2020, he became the Director of the Centre of Expertise "Mission Zero" at The Hague University of Applied Sciences, where he developed a multidisciplinary approach to sustainability transitions and a large partner network.
Sander Mertens serves on the advisory boards of several companies and has contributed to numerous projects focused on the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Director Center of Expertice Mission Zero (THUAS)

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

Founder & Key Connector

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.

Alberto is an experienced plant scientist. His Ph.D. (Durham University) investigated molecular responses underpinning plant immune responses. Prior to Zayndu, he held post-doctoral research roles at Durham, investigating the molecular interactions regulating the growth-immunity balance in plants in collaboration with Agritech leaders such as KWS, ADAS, BASF; his role is to co-ordinate the plant science team and lead the development of the seed treatment protocols.

Head of Plant Science

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

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

Mariana Larrea A.   Regulatory and Cannabis Attorney.
Mariana Larrea is a distinguished Mexican attorney with a specialization in Cultivation, Life Sciences, Cannabis, Pharmaceutical, Corporate/Contracts, and Consumer Protection. With a decade of professional experience, she has honed her skills at some of Mexico City's most influential law firms. Mariana earned her law degree and a diploma in business law from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (“UNAM”), solidifying her expertise in efficiently delivering results to her clients across various legal domains. As the founder of MLA Legal and Consulting Boutique, Mariana operates independently, running her own legal office and spearheading business development initiatives for the industries mentioned above. Her boutique firm offers personalized legal services tailored to the unique needs of each client, providing comprehensive support and strategic guidance throughout all stages of their ventures in México and LATAM. Due to her exceptional knowledge in the Cannabis Industry, Mariana has been a featured speaker at numerous national and international conferences. Speaking in past 2024, and 2023 Greentech events. Furthermore, she has contributed her insights to legislators in various international jurisdictions, aiding in the formulation of cannabis public policies and regulations, including Mexico's ongoing evolution of the Federal Adult Use Cannabis Law. Beyond her legal acumen, Mariana has played pivotal roles as an executive director in real estate development projects in Mexico. Currently, she leads a group of investors developing sustainable real estate projects, developing in Mérida, México. Additionally, she shares her expertise as a professor of life sciences, government regulations, consumer protection, and cannabis matters at esteemed institutions such as the Tecnológico de Monterrey University, Escuela Libre de Derecho, Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas de la UNAM, and in the sanitary law diploma program at UNAM's law school. Mariana is deeply committed to facilitating business ventures between Europe and Mexico in the dynamic fields of life sciences and cannabis, leveraging her legal expertise to navigate the intricacies of international commerce and regulatory frameworks.

Founding Partner

Shaun is the founder and CEO of COSMOS Ag, a global agtech company that provids various inteligence and IoT solutions.
Before founding COSMOS off from Bayer, Shaun served as Venture Founder and Head of China at Bayer’s Digital Incubator, a corporate venture studio that he also co-initiated. With over 15 years of academic and professional experience spanning Asia, the U.S., and Europe, Shaun has built a diverse career at the intersection of technology, business, and investment. His past roles include strategy consulting at Ernst & Young, venture capital investment at Samsung Next, and business development with AI startups in Silicon Valley.
A telecom engineer by training, Shaun also holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.

Founder & CEO

Coert has been working at Wageningen Social & Economic research as social-economic researcher and has conducted research in the areas of crop protection, phytosanitary policy, PEF footrint calculations, economic horticulture income estimates research e and the designing of an economic model for feasibility studies in a vertical farm. Befor his position at WSER, Coert was projectmanager, auditor and certification manager at a certification body and greenhouse grower.

Eric Gerbrandt is a Plant Scientist with 18 years of experience in applied horticultural management of berry crops.  Based in British Columbia, Canada, he collaborates with a diversity of researchers across various scientific disciplines (e.g., breeding, entomology, pathology, virology) to address practical challenges facing Canadian berry growers.  Currently, his research focus is on developing economically viable indoor systems for year-round berry production in Canada.

Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer

Erik is an entrepreneur at heart and one of the founders of Ljusgårda. He started his first business at 19 and has since led several ventures before initiating what is now Ljusgårda. Innovation and development have always been at the core of his work—today, he leads research and future-driven initiatives aimed at building a new innovative, regenerative and climate-resilient food system. As Head of Research, Erik is deeply engaged in exploring new technologies, biological breakthroughs, and scalable models to unlock the full potential of plants for both human health and planetary balance. His work spans national innovation platforms and global networks, bridging science with ancestral knowledge and plant wisdom. Beyond his professional work, Erik holds the traditional role of a chief in his village in Samoa—an honor that deeply shapes his perspective on leadership, responsibility, and the long-term stewardship of natural systems. He is a natural speaker and always keen to challenge the broken systems of today—accelerating the change needed to build a truly sustainable tomorrow. He finds his energy in doing what he believes in and is actively involved in charitable initiatives around the world.

Co-founder & Chief Research & Development Officer

Board Chairman

Member of management

Jouke Campen became an engineer in Applied Physics at the Technical University of Delft, specialized in heat and mass transfer. He started working at Wageningen UR in 1997. His main field of research is energy and climate control in protected horticulture. He finished his PhD on dehumidification of greenhouses October 2009. Currently he is the coordinator of the energy program of the ministry of Agriculture in The Netherlands involving annually 7 million EURO of projects on reducing energy use in the Dutch protected horticultural sector. Aside of this task he is international project manager for the last 20 years working on numerous projects all around the world.

International Project Manager

Business Development Manager

With a background in mechanical engineering, I am an experienced project and program manager with over 20 years of international experience in leading large-scale, multidisciplinary projects across the heavy-, light-, and ag-tech industries. Throughout my career, I have successfully managed complex industrial developments, often involving diverse teams and displinces, global stakeholders and cutting-edge new technologies.
For the past six years, I have been with Infinite Acres, where I am responsible for (i) managing and executing the company’s larger vertical farming projects, (ii) driving key internal developments as well as (iii) business development for the company. At Infinite Acres I have contributed by delivering and managing several strategic projects and developments, aligned with the company’s future direction.
I am particularly passionate about food security and the resilience of global food systems. And I am committed to making a meaningful contribution to sustainable food production around the globe, by applying my expertise and expierence impacting in ag-tech and beyond.

Director of Program Management and Business Development

Teeltmanager Greenbase + Greenside

Jesse Verbeke plays a key role at Phormium Climate Screens, where he supports customers in selecting and using climate screens in the most optimal way. He has extensive knowledge about screen properties and is actively involved in the development of new screen types, helping to innovate and refine solutions that meet the evolving needs of the horticultural industry.

Product manager

Ir. Eric Poot has been manager of Delphy Improvement Centre in Bleiswijk since April 2024, where he leads applied research in greenhouse horticulture. With his team he focuses on the development and application of knowledge and technological innovations within cultivation systems, with the aim of making the sector more sustainable and future-proof. Before his position at Delphy, Poot worked for years at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), where he was team leader within the Greenhouse Horticulture & Flower Bulbs business unit. At WUR, he was involved in a large number of projects as project leader and researcher, including projects about transitions and (system) innovations. Poot is an advocate of knowledge sharing and cooperation between research, business and education. He emphasizes the importance of integral approaches, in which factors such as light, climate and energy consumption are jointly optimized, and in which digitalization plays an essential enabling role. His vision is that horticulture makes an essential contribution to a healthy diet and the well-being of people worldwide, and that knowledge and technology play key roles in achieving sustainable food production.

Manager Improvement Centre

Strategic Innovation Engineer Viscon Group

Laleh Hosseini is leading Green Gas & Liquids, focusing on carbon capture systems and Biogas treatment tailored for the non-petrochemical sectors like horticulture. With an engineering background from TU Delft and a business degree from Rotterdam School of Management, she combines technical insight with strategic vision. Having held leadership roles across the international energy industry, Laleh is passionate about delivering practical decarbonization solutions and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

Managing Director

Founder & Director

At the helm of Skytree as CEO, Rob is steering the ship, driving the strategy to ready Skytree to be introduced to the world. With a distinguished history of leading high-growth companies, from scale-ups to enterprises, Rob’s leadership is marked by a relentless pursuit of growth and impact. His profound commitment to effecting positive societal change ensures that Skytree's journey is navigated with skill and foresight. With Rob at the wheel, Skytree is in safe hands.

Johanna Bac-Molenaar became biologist, because she is fascinated by the living world around here in which each creature has its own role and place due to adaptations and interactions. During her studies in biology and in her PhD research, she specialized in the study of plants and their interaction with the environment. She currently works as a 'Plant Health' researcher at the Greenhouse Horticulture business unit of Wageningen University and Research, on the design and testing of resilient and sustainable cultivation systems. Her research aims to minimize pesticide use and to work more and more circular. As a specialist in strawberry cultivation, she likes to see the cultivation cycle (propagation, nursery and production) as one interconnected system for which integral solution work best.

Researcher Plant Health

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<div>My name is Frans Goud. Grower at BASF / Nunhems. I have been working in horticulture since I was 16. Started working and learning at a cucumber nursery. Here I grew into a manager. After more than 20 years, I started working as an assistant cultivation manager at a tomato nursery. And for the last 8 years I have been working at BASF/Nunhems as (senior technician) cultivation manager tomato / cucumber. For the past 6 years, we at Nunhems have been closely involved in data-driven growing and we have been using the new Intelligent Algorithms in the IIVO climate computer.</div>
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Senior Technician

I am George (Qingzhuo) Qi, an incoming PhD candidate at Wageningen University & Research, working with Demeter42. My goal is to bridge the gap between greenhouse modeling in research and the practical challenges of greenhouse cultivation. I leverage the power of AI and digital twins to provide growers with optimized decision-making in greenhouse crop management.

AI Specialist

Management Studies degree educated at Birmingham University with nearly 40 years of international commercial experience.  Focussed on the water sector for the last 25 years working globally promoting environmentally sustainable, efficient and effective water resource management with particular emphasis on water collection and storage.

Global Sales Manager

Founder/CEO of Gardin

As a cannabis cultivation consultant, Kjell is involved in multiple growing and research projects. Kjell oversees the daily operations at the “Cultivation for Compounds” consortium on behalf of Cultivators. Kjell is also one of the main teachers of the “Operational Excellence Training” project, hosting both lectures and practical sessions on the cultivation of medical cannabis. He can also be found advising growers around Europe.
Kjell holds a MSc in Plant sciences with a specialization in Greenhouse Horticulture from Wageningen University. Kjell’s research focused on the effects of light intensity and spectrum on the growth and development of medical cannabis.

Cultivation consultant - Project Manager

Researcher in Circular Greenhouse Horticulture

Rio Pals coordinates WUR Student Challenges at Wageningen University & Research, creating international, interdisciplinary competitions that encourage students to work on real-world sustainability issues through collaboration and innovation.

Manager WUR Student Challenges

Alberto López is a Systems Engineer at Agritecture Consulting, where he advises on optimizing operations and energy performance for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) facilities. With an MSc in Biosystems Engineering from Wageningen University and previous experience managing operations at GROWx’s vertical farm in Amsterdam, Alberto has extensive hands-on expertise in greenhouse and vertical farm design, climate control, and energy efficiency.
Throughout his career, Alberto has worked on cutting-edge projects including climate adaptation studies in Costa Rica, vertical farming system analyses with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and plant selection methodologies for space missions. His deep technical knowledge, combined with practical industry experience, equips him to help growers innovate and improve sustainability and profitability in CEA ventures.

Systems Engineer

Rick Glumac was first elected as the MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam (now Port Moody-Burquitlam), British Columbia, Canada in 2017.
Rick was appointed Minister of State for Trade in November 2024. He also serves as B.C.’s representative to the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region where he recently completed his term as President. Rick has previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Technology as well as the Premier’s Liaison to Washington State. As an MLA he has served on special committees on Reforming the Police Act, Reviewing Private Members Business, and has chaired the committee to review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
From 2011 to 2017, Rick served as a city councillor for the city of Port Moody where he led efforts to improve funding for Eagle Ridge hospital, expand childcare and preschool space, improve environmental practices and increase park space in the community.
Rick served as Vice President of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association and was elected as Vancouver Metro Area Representative at the Union of BC Municipalities.
Rick graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electronics Engineering. Rick has worked in a variety of hi-tech industries, from animation on major films like Shrek 2 and Madagascar, to video games, to developing mobile apps for Fortune 500 companies. Rick understands first-hand the value of supporting BC’s vibrant tech sector.
Rick lives in Port Moody, British Columbia, Canada.

B.C. Minister of State for Trade

Joep Van Den Bosch is as Director Business Development responsible for all future-oriented product and market development for the Ridder Group.
Born as son of a Dutch greenhouse grower and educated in horticulture, Joep has been active in greenhouse technology for over 35 years. He worked for several horticultural technology companies before joining the Ridder Group in 2012. “It has been my personal passion and ambition to improve the lives and businesses of growers and farmers, like my own family, by sharing knowledge and developing new technology”. 
Ridder, a Dutch family-owned business, has been a household name in greenhouse technology for over 70 years with activities on all continents and offices in 7 countries. Today Ridder is a global leading manufacturer in intelligent greenhouse technology for climate, water, and energy solutions in hig- and midtech controlled environment agriculture with a focus on improving the efficiency and sustainability of the global food and flower production.

Director Business Development

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

Vakredacteur vakblad voor de bloemisterij

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

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

Tenair

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