António Costa ist ein portugiesischer Politiker mit einer langjährigen Regierungslaufbahn und war von 2015 bis 2024 Premierminister Portugals. Im Jahr 2025 wurde er zum Präsidenten des Europäischen Rates ernannt und übernahm damit eine zentrale Rolle in der politischen Koordination der Europäischen Union auf höchster Ebene. Er gilt als anerkannter Verhandlungsführer und politischer Gestalter und wird insbesondere für seinen Beitrag zur Stabilität Europas geschätzt.

Barbara Konner ist Ökonomin und Politikwissenschaftlerin und hat ihr Studium an der Universität zu Köln abgeschlossen. Sie verfügt über eine internationale Karriere innerhalb des Systems der Deutschen Auslandshandelskammern (AHK). Sie leitete die AHK in Argentinien, Uruguay und Paraguay und ist seit 2023 geschäftsführende Vizepräsidentin der AHK São Paulo. Ihre Expertise umfasst insbesondere Wirtschaftsdiplomatie, die Förderung kleiner und mittlerer Unternehmen (KMU), Internationalisierung sowie die institutionelle Zusammenarbeit zwischen Deutschland und Lateinamerika.

Carlos Moedas was born in 1970 in Beja, Portugal, and graduated as a civil engineer from Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon) in 1993. He was one of the first Erasmus Students in Portugal and attended the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris (1993). In 1998 he graduated with a Master in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School, USA (1998/2000).
He started his career as a civil engineer working for the French conglomerate Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux in France, where he lived for 5 years. After his graduation from Harvard he worked for Goldman Sachs in their Investment Banking division in London. In 2004 he returned to Portugal and became head of Aguirre Newman, where he was also a member of the executive board in Spain. In 2008 he went on to create his own investment management company.
In 2011 he headed the Social Democrat Party's (PSD) economic team and participated on the negotiations for Portugal's 2011 Public Budget.
That same year he was elected a Member of Parliament by the Beja constituency and appointed under-Secretary of State to the Prime Minister of the XIX Constitutional Government of Portugal where he was tasked with coordination of monitoring the adjustment programme structural reforms.
In 2014 he was nominated by the Portuguese Prime-Minister to be the European Commissioner. He is the Commissioner responsible for Research, Science and Innovation, one of the largest science and innovation projects on the planet worth 77 billion euros. He designed the proposal for the future Horizon Europe programme worth 100 billion euros, set to be launched in 2021. He is the 5th Portuguese national to hold this position since Portugal became a EU Member State in 1986.
In 2019 he joined the board of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. He is also vice-president of the Jacques Delors Institute in Paris.
Carlos Moedas co-authored a series of publications in the field of science and innovation. Among these articles, one stands out: 'Open Innovation: Research, Practices and Policies' published in the California Management Review, co-signed by Henry Chesbrough who is known for coining the term 'Open Innovation'.
In 2014, the Commissioner became the youngest member to be elected to the Portuguese Academy of Engineering. He is an honorary fellow from the African Academy of Sciences. In 2016 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Laws by the University of Cork in Ireland and in 2018 an Honorary Doctorate in Management from the ESCP Europe (École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris).
On 26 September 2021 he was elected President of the Lisbon City Council and re-elected for a second term on 12 October 2025.
Since July 2024, he has been a member of the Council of State, elected by the Assembly of the Republic, as a representative of the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
In November 2025, he was elected President of the Lisbon Metropolitan Council.

Christoph Schemionek, promovierter Geograf (PhD), hat eine berufliche Laufbahn in der Interessenvertretung der deutschen Industrie in den USA aufgebaut. Er fungiert als Schnittstelle zwischen US‑amerikanischen politischen Entscheidungsträgern und deutschen Unternehmen und verfügt über umfangreiche Erfahrung in den Bereichen Wirtschaftsdiplomatie, Handelspolitik, transatlantische Beziehungen sowie wirtschaftliche Auswirkungen deutscher Unternehmen in den USA. Darüber hinaus ist er als Adjunct Professor an der George Washington University tätig.

Dirk Schrödter, born in 1978, has been Head of the State Chancellery of the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, since 2017. Since 2022, he has also served as Minister for Digitalization and Media Policy of Schleswig-Holstein. Previously, he worked at the Ministry of Finance, where he was responsible for financial planning, budget planning, and federal financial relations within Germany's federal system.
Dirk Schrödter studied Economics at the University of Potsdam. He is a lecturer in Economics and Public Finance at the University of Applied Sciences for Administration and Services of the state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Er ist Doktor der Rechtswissenschaften und seit 2022 Vorsitzender des Verwaltungsrats sowie des Exekutivausschusses der Stiftung Francisco Manuel dos Santos. Zudem ist er außerordentlicher Professor an der Rechtswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Katholischen Universität Portugal.
Zwischen 2008 und 2014 war er als Berater für Rechts‑ und Verfassungsfragen im Präsidialamt tätig; seit 2014 ist er dieser Institution weiterhin als Berater verbunden. Darüber hinaus war er Direktor des Observatoriums für Migration sowie stellvertretender Staatssekretär für Verwaltungsmodernisierung in der 20. verfassungsmäßigen Regierung. Außerdem war er Mitglied des Nationalen Rates für Migration und Asyl sowie des Verwaltungsrats der Agentur der Europäischen Union für Grundrechte.

Dr Volker Treier is Chief Executive of Foreign Trade and Member of the Executive Board of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) in Berlin. In this role, he is responsible, among other areas, for representing the DIHK in matters of foreign trade and European policy, as well as overseeing international affairs, European Union relations, and the global network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs).
Previously, he served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and was in charge of the international division. Prior to that, he held several senior positions, including Chief Economist and Deputy Head of the Vocational Education and Training and Education Policy division.
As Chief Executive of Foreign Trade, Dr Treier is responsible for international and European economic affairs, as well as for the worldwide network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad, delegations and representative offices of German industry and commerce (AHKs), operating in 93 countries

Paulo Portas served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal between 2011-2015. Between 2002-2005, he was also Minister of Defence. Mr. Portas was leader of the CDS-PP for 16 years, Member of Parliament for 7 terms, State Council and National Defence Council member in different periods. He founded Vinciamo Consulting, strategic advisory and business intelligence company. He is Professor of "Geo-Economics and International Relations" in Nova School of Business & Economics and in Universities and Academies of Europe and Asia. He directs seminars of geopolitical trends for multinational companies, and he serves as Deputy Chairman of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce (CCIP), member of the Board of Trustees of Champalimaud Foundation and Non-Executive Member of the Board of Mota-Engil (since January 2023). Mr. Portas is also "Membre d'Honneur" of the L'Académie du Royaume du Maroc and author of the Sunday TV program "Global". He is fluent (written and spoken) in Portuguese, English, Spanish, French and Italian.

ICEYE operates the world's largest and most advanced SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite constellation. The company provides customers with intelligence featuring exceptional quality, low latency, and high revisit rates, regardless of weather conditions, day or night.
For governments seeking to operate their own satellite constellation, ICEYE offers this proven capability as a sovereign system. ICEYE-built constellations support customers across defence and intelligence, environmental monitoring, insurance, and emergency management.
The company enables fast and informed decision-making, contributing to a safer future.

TEKEVER ist ein Technologieunternehmen, das 2001 gegründet wurde und auf Verteidigung und Sicherheit spezialisiert ist. Das Unternehmen entwickelt fortschrittliche Lösungen auf Basis von Autonomie und künstlicher Intelligenz. TEKEVER schafft innovative Fähigkeiten zum Schutz von Menschen, Infrastrukturen und Staaten, wandelt operative Erfahrung in strategische Vorteile um und unterstützt kritische Missionen jederzeit und weltweit.

Member of the board of management, Robert Bosch GmbH
Dr. Frank Meyer has been a member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH since February 1, 2024. He is responsible for the Bosch Energy and Building Technology business sector with its Building Technologies and Home Comfort Group divisions and Smart Home subsidiary. He is also responsible for Bosch's business in Japan and for central quality management at Robert Bosch GmbH.
Born in Dorsten, Germany, in 1978, Frank Meyer is married and has two children. In Germany, he studied physics and mathematics at RWTH Aachen University and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. He also studied physics in France at the University of Paris-Orsay, and in the U.K. at Imperial College London. In 2006, he earned his doctorate in physics at the Max Planck Institute in Munich. In 2023, Frank Meyer graduated from Harvard Business School after successfully completing the Advanced Management Program. 

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 412,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2025). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of 91 billion euros in 2025. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, electrification, digitalization, connectivity, and an orientation to sustainability. In this context, Bosch's broad diversification across regions and industries strengthens its innovativeness and robustness. Bosch uses its proven expertise in sensor technology, software, and services to offer customers cross-domain solutions from a single source. It also applies its expertise in connectivity and artificial intelligence in order to develop and manufacture user-friendly, sustainable products. With technology that is "Invented for life," Bosch wants to help improve quality of life and conserve natural resources. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 490 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch's global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. Bosch's innovative strength is key to the company's further development. At 136 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 82,000 associates in research and development.
The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering." The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant upfront investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-four percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a limited liability company with a charitable purpose. The remaining shares are held by Robert Bosch GmbH and by a company owned by the Bosch family. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG. It is entrusted with the task of safeguarding the company's long-term existence and in particular its financial independence - in line with the mission handed down in the will of the company's founder, Robert Bosch.

Prof. Dr. Sabina Jeschke is a manager, entrepreneur, and scientist with extensive international experience in technology, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. After a long academic career, she served as a Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Bahn AG from 2017 to 2021, where she was responsible for the "Digitalization and Technology" division. Her responsibilities included group-wide digital transformation, IT infrastructure, data management, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, 5G/mobile network expansion, and technological innovation in mobility and railway systems.
Since June 2021, she has been serving as Senior Advisor at Deloitte Germany, focusing on technology consulting. In addition, she founded several companies, including Arctic Brains AB in Sweden, specializing in AI consulting and development, and Quantagonia GmbH i.G., which develops solutions for quantum computing environments. She also supports the "KI Park" initiative in Berlin, aimed at becoming Europe's leading accelerator for next-generation AI applications.
Before joining Deutsche Bahn, Sabina Jeschke held professorships at renowned institutions such as RWTH Aachen University, the University of Stuttgart, and TU Berlin. Her academic focus areas include artificial intelligence, data analytics, robotics, automation, cyber-physical systems, and high-performance and quantum computing. Her international research and visiting appointments included collaborations with NASA, as well as institutions in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Sweden.
Alongside her operational roles, she serves on supervisory boards (Rheinmetall and AUMOVIO), scientific committees, and governmental advisory councils, particularly in the fields of digital transformation and high-tech strategy. She has received numerous awards, including recognition as one of "Germany's Digital Minds" and the Nikola Tesla Medal.
Sabina Jeschke is regarded as one of the leading voices for digital innovation and technological transformation in the German-speaking world. She lives in Berlin, Sweden, and Madeira.

The AI Park creates the necessary conditions for the successful research and development of cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies. Its ambition goes far beyond incremental progress: the AI Park pursues "bold moves" and aims to enable the next quantum leap in research, as well as in the economic, societal, and regulatory application of artificial intelligence.
The AI Park provides innovative platforms for research institutions, start-ups, established companies, and political and societal stakeholders to collaboratively develop forward-looking AI solutions. The focus lies on those AI technologies that will significantly shape the future of industry and society and whose research and development must therefore be substantially accelerated. These include, for example, generative AI, quantum machine learning, AI in 5G and 6G networks, synthetic data, and natural language processing (NLP).
Through its network, expertise, and access to relevant technologies, the AI Park supports cross-sectoral and cross-organizational projects for the development of innovative AI solutions. The ecosystem brings together leading AI thinkers and experts from across Europe and promotes knowledge exchange both within the AI community and beyond.
In addition, the AI Park is actively engaged in developing ethical and regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence. In cooperation with experts from government, public administration, and academia, it develops proposals for the responsible use of AI and actively fosters dialogue with the media and the broader public.

Christian Beckmann has served as CEO of the SAERTEX Group and member of the Global Executive Board since April 2024. In this capacity, he oversees the company's strategic direction, with particular emphasis on sales, marketing, global market expansion, and new business development.
With revenues of approximately €350 million, 1,500 employees, and 17 locations across five continents, SAERTEX stands as a global leader in the manufacture of technical textiles from glass and carbon fibres - serving key industries including wind energy, aerospace, and lightweight construction.
Mr. Beckmann´s academic background spans industrial electronics engineering, a university degree in Industrial Engineering, and an MBA in Finance. He brings nearly two decades of international leadership experience spanning Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Prior to joining SAERTEX, he served as CEO of the RELINE Group, as a member of the Executive Board of the Viega Group, and as Vice President at Danfoss. He additionally holds advisory board positions at an investment fund and an AI company.
His core areas of focus include sales and innovation, digitalisation, sustainability, and international corporate leadership - underpinned by a clear commitment to a resource efficient future for the composites industry.

With revenues of approximately €350 million, 1,500 employees, and 17 locations across five continents, SAERTEX stands as a global leader in the manufacture of technical textiles from glass and carbon fibres - serving key industries including wind energy, aerospace, and lightweight construction.

With more than twenty years of global leadership experience, Jordi Laguarda has worked extensively in the aerospace, defense, transportation infrastructure, and government sectors. Currently serving as the Vice President for Spain, Portugal, and Italy at ICEYE, he is responsible for spearheading sovereign satellite mission initiatives throughout Southern Europe.
Jordi's professional background includes executive senior roles in Spain, the UK, and the USA. He previously acted as the Director General of International Trade and Investment for Spain within the UK Department for International Trade and served as the Global Business Development & Strategic Partnerships Director at EXPAL Systems, where he cultivated significant expertise in defense sector collaborations.
A Civil Engineer by training, Jordi also holds an EMBA from IE Business School and has completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School.

The DIHK - The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry - represents the interests of more than three million companies in Germany. As the umbrella organization of the 79 Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs) and together with the worldwide network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs), it effectively integrates economic concerns into political decision-making processes. Companies from all industries - from start-ups and medium-sized businesses to globally active corporations - benefit from this pooled expertise and the deep practical experience of the IHK system.

Leica Camera AG is an international, premium manufacturer of cameras, lenses and sports optics. As part of its growth strategy, the company has expanded its portfolio to include mobile imaging (smartphones) and the manufacture of high-quality spectacle lenses and watches and is also represented in the home cinema segment with its own projectors.
Leica Camera AG, having its headquarters in Wetzlar, Germany, and a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal, operates a global network of its own distribution companies with around 120 Leica Stores worldwide.
The Leica brand stands for excellence in quality, German craftsmanship and industrial design, combined with innovative technologies. An integral aspect of the brand culture is the promotion of the culture of photography, with around 30 Leica Galleries worldwide, the Leica Akademie and international awards such as the Leica Hall of Fame Award and the Leica Oskar Barnack Award (LOBA).

Robert Jozic is Managing Director of Schwarz Digits - Disruption. In this role, he is responsible for strategic foresight as well as the identification and evaluation of future-oriented technology and business fields within the Schwarz Group (including Lidl, Kaufland, PreZero, and Digits). His focus lies on ensuring the group's long-term competitiveness.
Since joining the group in 2016, he has held several key leadership positions. From 2018, as Managing Director of Schwarz Digital, he was responsible for the group's digitalization strategy as well as the design and scaling of digital ecosystems. With the additional responsibility for Schwarz Media in 2021, he significantly contributed to business development and go-to-market strategies for innovative retail media solutions.
Previously, at Schwarz Business IT, he served as Managing Director leading the BI & Analytics division. In parallel, he supported strategic initiatives such as the IT consolidation between 2017 and 2018, the development of new digital business areas, and initiated the partnership with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), where he has been an active member of the supervisory board for nine years.
Robert Jozic studied Computer Science and Business Administration and has extensive consulting experience. He began his professional career in 2001 at a leading international management consulting firm. In 2005, he founded his own consulting company focused on Business Intelligence, Analytics, and Data Mining. After this entrepreneurial phase, he became Managing Partner in 2011 at an international consulting firm specializing in data-driven solutions and transformation.

Schwarz Digits is the IT and digital division of Schwarz Group and offers impressive digital products and services that meet the high German data protection standards. With the aim of achieving the greatest possible digital sovereignty, Schwarz Digits provides the IT infrastructure and solutions for the extensive ecosystem of Schwarz Group's companies and develops it for the future. Schwarz Digits' sovereign core services include Cloud, Cyber Security, Data and AI, Communication and Workspace. In addition, Schwarz Digits creates optimal conditions for the development of trend-setting innovations for end customers, companies and public sector organizations.

Graduated in Chemical Engineering at the University of Aveiro, João later specialized at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in extraction with supercritical fluids. João also has a postgraduation degree from the Porto Management School (EGP) in Quantitative Management Methods.
João's career has been heavily associated to established companies leading in various industrial areas, from quality, to manufacturing and general management. His experience in the associative world is vast and equally significant having been the President of Portugal's Cork Association (APCOR) between 2012 and 2021. The following years until the start of 2024 João led the European Cork Confederation. He was also president of the Cork Technology Centre, Board member of CINCORK and president of FILCORK (Portuguese cork cluster).
At the State level, João was part of the ''Reflection Group for the Future of Portugal''- an advisory body to the President of the Republic between 2018 and 2022 and coordinated the social and democratic party's ''National Strategic Council'' in all public services and state reform-related matters in 2023.

The Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy is a central authority of the Bavarian state government in Germany. It is responsible for the economic development of the state, energy policy, and regional planning.
Its main tasks include strengthening the Bavarian economy, supporting businesses-especially small and medium-sized enterprises-and creating and securing jobs. The ministry also focuses on the energy transition by promoting renewable energy and ensuring a secure and sustainable energy supply.
Another key goal is balanced regional development across Bavaria to ensure equal living conditions in both urban and rural areas.

As the executive body of the Municipality, the Lisbon City Council is responsible for defining and implementing public policies across a wide range of areas, including Environment, Administrative Affairs, Finance and Human Resources, Smart City, Culture, Social Development, Sports, Economy and Tourism, Education, Public Space, Urban Hygiene, Territorial Coordination, Housing and Local Development, Innovation, Mobility, Animal Protection, Civil Protection and Emergency Services, Citizen Relations and Participation, Information Systems, Transparency and Anti-Corruption, as well as Urban Planning. Under its legal framework and responsibilities as established by the Law on Local Authorities, the largest municipal authority in the country is chaired by Carlos Moedas, who leads the aforementioned areas of municipal activity within an executive composed of nine councillors out of a total of sixteen.

TeamViewer is a digital workplace platform that helps companies optimize and automate work processes. Originally launched as remote access and IT support software, TeamViewer has evolved into a global leader in remote connectivity and digital workplace management.
Today, more than 620,000 customers worldwide rely on TeamViewer's solutions to improve digital workplaces, streamline IT operations, and enhance industrial processes. Using AI-powered and augmented reality technologies, TeamViewer helps organizations reduce downtime, resolve technical issues faster, and increase productivity.
Headquartered in Göppingen, Germany, the company employs around 1,900 people globally and generated approximately €768 million in revenue in 2025. TeamViewer is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is part of the SDAX index.

The sales organization "DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation" (CSI) is a central division of DHL Group. It is responsible for the global management of key accounts and the development of innovative and integrated logistics solutions across all business divisions.
CSI acts as a strategic interface between customers and the various divisions of DHL Group, supporting companies in making their international supply chains more efficient, digital, and sustainable. Its core focus includes key account management, business development, supply chain innovation, and customized transport and logistics solutions for global customers across a wide range of industries.
Through close collaboration with the Express, Global Forwarding, Supply Chain, and eCommerce divisions, CSI develops comprehensive solutions for complex international logistics requirements.

The Daimler Truck segment Daimler Buses, as one of the world's leading bus manufacturers with numerous regional subsidiaries, oversees the global activities of the Mercedes-Benz, Setra, Omniplus, and BusStore bus and service brands. The Daimler Buses product portfolio ranges from coaches, intercity, city, and special buses to bus chassis. In addition to manufacturing and selling new buses, Daimler Buses has a global service network and offers comprehensive services for vehicles, including trading in used buses.
Daimler Buses' locations include Daimler Buses GmbH with various subsidiaries in Europe, Daimler Buses Latin America in Brazil, Daimler Buses Mexico, Daimler Coaches North America, and the Mercedes-Benz Türk A.Ş. bus business in Turkey.
With production sites in Mannheim and Neu-Ulm, Daimler Buses is the only manufacturer in Germany that produces city, intercity, and coach buses over 8 tons.