Potsdam International Forum »Science Parks and Competitiveness«

»Science Parks and Competitiveness: Bridging Regional Growth and European Innovation and Research Policy« on April 15-16, 2026 at the Potsdam Science Park! Science Parks are vital drivers of European competitiveness, linking research excellence, entrepreneurial vision, and industry to foster high growth ventures and cross-border partnerships. Following-up on the current European debates on competitiveness, the Potsdam International Forum aims to actively contribute to these ongoing discussions. It offers a unique platform to connect science parks, regions, and innovation ecosystems with key EU stakeholders.

»Bridging Regional Growth and European Innovation and Research Policy«

This two-day forum is an interactive cross-sectoral gathering of policy makers, leading experts and practitioners from Science and Technology Parks, cluster managers, and innovation agency representatives from across Europe. The agenda sets focus on how Science Parks and their regions can become epicenters of scientific achievement and innovation—accelerating breakthroughs, nurturing growth, and maximizing the positive impact of Europe’s innovation hubs. Participants will explore how emerging European policies influence competitiveness and regional development, share insights on shaping future innovation ecosystems, and discuss their real-world implications for scientific progress, sustainable growth, collaboration and international success. 100 experts and participants from 18 countries will conjointly explore how Science Parks and further innovation hubs can become key engines of progress within Europe’s wider innovation ecosystem.

Program & Speakers

Download the program folder here (PDF)

Registration for the Potsdam International Forum 2026 is closed.

The Potsdam International Forum 2026 is Funded

This conference is funded by the State of Brandenburg. Diese Konferenz ist gefördert mit Mitteln des Landes Brandenburg.

This conference and the projects implemented by Standortmanagement Golm GmbH at Potsdam Science Park are co-funded by the European Union and the Federal State of Brandenburg.

Program & Conference Management

Karen Esser
Public Relations & Communications
Standortmanagement Golm GmbH

Download Conference Program (PDF)

Moderator Tina Knop ©sevens+maltry

Welcome Adress: Tobias Dünow, State Secretary for Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg ©sevens+maltry

Prof. Oliver Günther, PhD., President of the University of Potsdam

Opening Remarks by the President of the University of Potsdam: Prof. Oliver Günther, PhD ©sevens+maltry

Welcome by the Host: Agnes von Matuschka, CEO of Standortmanagement Golm GmbH at the Potsdam Science Park

Welcome by the Host: Agnes von Matuschka, CEO of Standortmanagement Golm GmbH – Potsdam Science Park ©sevens+maltry

Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation at DG RTD Directorate-General for Research & Innovation, European Commission

Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation, European Commission ©sevens+maltry

Ebba Lund – CEO of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) ©sevens+maltry

Mail. M. Baum – CEO of WLOUNGE, Founder MAGDA GROUP & Former EIC Board Member ©sevens+maltry

Lucas Resende Carvalho, Expert on EU Economic Policy at Bertelsmann Stiftung ©sevens+maltry

Janne Leino, Director of the Helsinki EU Office, Brussels ©sevens+maltry

Prof. Dr Carsten Dreher – University Professor and Member of the European Innovation Council ©sevens+maltry

Dr.-Ing. Salvatore Majorana (Kilometro Rosso S.p.A. & IASP) and Dr Anna Christmann (SAI Europe) ©sevens+maltry

Dr Anna Christmann, SAI Europe ©sevens+maltry

Networking at the Potsdam International Forum 2026

Networking. Thorey Einarsdóttir, CEO at Vísindagarðar / Sciencepark, Iceland ©sevens+maltry

Networking Break at the Potsdam International Forum 2026

©sevens+maltry

Potsdam Science Park site management CEO Agnes von Matuschka ©sevens+maltry

Thorsten Kohlisch, Interreg Europe, at the Breakout Session on Tapping into the ECF and combining EU-level-Instruments with Regional Funding ©sevens+maltry

Natacha Faullimmel, Single Market Officer at the European Commission (Berlin), joined the Breakout Session on the European Competitiveness Fund at the Potsdam International forum 2026 ©sevens+maltry

Karen Esser with insights from the Potsdam Science Park at the Potsdam International forum 2026 ©sevens+maltry

Gemma Carpenter brought the Glasgow City Innovation District to the Potsdam International Forum 2026 ©sevens+maltry

Group Work on the Future of Science Pars and Intellectual Property with Alessandro Corrado and Claire Duranton from EUIPO ©svens+maltry

Dr Wolfgang Münch from DG REGIO Smart and Sustainable Growth, European Commission ©sevens+maltry

Group Discussions at the Breakout Session on "Cities and Science Parks for Regional Innovation" ©sevens+maltry

Roz Bird, Chief Executive, Anglia Innovation Partnership, Norwich Research Park ©sevens+maltry

Mr Mateusz Kowalewski, Head of the Department for Urban Development Strategy in the Office of the Mayor of Szczecin, Poland ©sevens+maltry

On screen: Prof. Matthias Notz, Global CEO, Start2 Group & Professor at Deggendorf Institute of Technology

Dr Christina Quensel – President of BVIZ & Managing Director, Campus Berlin-Buch ©sevens+maltry

Inger-Lise M. Nøstvik, Managing Director, Kunnskapsbyen Lillestrøm ©sevens+maltry

Fredrik Larsson, COO, Linköping Science Park ©sevens+maltry

Dr Maria Marquardt, City of Cottbus/Chóśebuz ©sevens+maltry

Roland Sillmann, CEO, WISTA Management GmbH ©sevens+maltry

Prof. Cristina Andrés Urarte ©sevens+maltry

Birgit Mayr – Director of Brand and Placemaking, NOI Techpark ©sevens+maltry

Panel Discussion: From Single SItes to Networked Ecosystems ©sevens+maltry

Group Image at the Potsdam International Forum on "Science Parks and Competitiveness" ©sevens+maltry