MONDAY 2026, FEBRUARY 2

9:00 - 18:00

HOTEL ARRIVAL & REGISTRATION  (more information on practical information page)

13:30 - 17:30

LEARNING EXPEDITIONS

Visit 1: Major Research infrastructures:  EMBL, ILL & ESRF 

This visit takes you to the heart of Grenoble’s European Photon & Neutron Science Campus, where the ESRF, EMBL, and ILL join forces. Together, they explore matter and life at the atomic scale through powerful X-rays, neutrons, and molecular biology research, making this site a global hub for science and innovation.

Visit 2: - Innovation Showcases:  CEA,GEM Labs, Schneider Electric

This visit highlights innovation and sustainability in action across three key sites in Grenoble. At GEM Labs, students, researchers, and professionals experiment with new ways of learning and working around themes like digital transformation and AI. The CEA showcases cutting-edge research in energy, health, and technology, turning scientific advances into real-world solutions. Finally, Schneider Electric’s IntenCity stands as a model of smart, energy-efficient design, illustrating the future of sustainable buildings and collaborative workspaces.

19:00 - 21:00

RECEPTION DINNER & NEWCOMERS INTRODUCTION

TUESDAY 2026, FEBRUARY 3

Maison MINATEC Congress center 

9:00 – 10:20

OPENING CEREMONY with officials  

10:20 -11:20

“Rules have changed, from uncertainty to unknown”

In a world where the pace of change is accelerating, navigating the shift from uncertainty to the truly unknown has become a critical challenge. This will be a call to rethink assumptions, embrace complexity, and unlock new ways of thinking. 

Keynote #1 – Economic Vision
How new paradigms of growth, value, and resilience emerge when uncertainty gives way to the truly unknown.

Frédéric PARIENTÉ   | EMEA Director, Solutions Architecture and Engineering, NVIDIA, France

Keynote #2 – Geopolitical Vision
How shifting power dynamics and global tensions redefine our capacity to act and adapt in an unpredictable world.

Pierre-Joseph GIVRE   | Lieutenant General (department of defense), France

Keynote #3 – Scientific & Technological Vision
How breakthroughs at the frontiers of science and technology can help us navigate—and even harness—the unknown.

Hughes METRAS   | Director of ASIC, CEA’s Digital Programs Agency, France

11:20 – 12:30

Session: Dealing with unpredictable disruption: From research to supply chain building

In a world where the pace of change is accelerating and disruptions may come at any time from unexpected natural, geopolitical, or economic challenges, traditional playbooks for research commercialization no longer apply.  This panel will examine the present-day challenges of taking new advanced technologies into the market, a process that usually requires modifications to supply chains or even building new ones.  After a keynote presentation that focuses on the economic constraints and opportunities that surround the pathway from research to reality under unpredictable conditions, the panel will explore what will be in the new playbook for the practical implementation of research results in more resilient supply chain structures and dynamics

Chaired by

Richard DASHER |  Professor and Director of the US-Asia Technology Management Center at Stanford University, USA

Marie-Pierre IPPERSIEL | President and Chief Executive Officer at PRIMA Québec

Keynote

Bruno VILLETELLE | Venture Capital Partner, VU Venture, Switzerland

Panel

Claude LEGLISE | Co-Founder and Chairman | ClearSpot Holdings

Karine SAMUEL | Professeur, supply chain management & strategy, UGA, France

Kwang-Seong CHOI | Assistant Vice President, ETRI, Korea

Dr Alice PANNIER   | Project Manager, Cloud, HPC, and Quantum Computing Support, Directorate-General for Enterprise - Ministry of Economy and Finance, France

12:45 – 13:50

LUNCH BREAK & NETWORKING

13:50 – 14:20

Fact Checking  #1 - Quantum technologies

Tech Shifts: Understanding Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs

This short-format session explores today’s most pressing technological disruptions on AI, Quantum and cybersecurity, and their potential to reshape our world.

Chaired by

Salvatore CINA | Quantum Program Director, CEA , France

With 

Maud VINET | CEO and co-founder, Quobly

14:20 – 15:30

Session: Tech disruption & new normal

Technology is no longer just an enabler — it’s a disruptor, reshaping industries, societies, and the very way we live and work. This panel will brings together innovation experts to unpack how emerging technologies are redefining what’s possible and what could be next. From AI to quantum computing, from digital platforms to new medtech, we’ll explore the breakthroughs driving transformation — and the challenges that come with them. 

Chaired by 

Harri KULMALA |  CEO of DIMECC Ltd., Finland 

Keynote

Bart BECKS  Serial innovator and European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), Belgium 

Panel

Daniel GHENO | Innovation & Technology Senior VP, CTO, Schneider Electric, France

Alan RENAUDIN | Vice President in Business Development, Technum Quebec, Canada

Alexandra PACUREANU | Scientist at ESRF - The European Synchrotron, France

Tarmo PAJUNEN | CTO & co-founder, Brillian, Finland

Amit KAPOOR   | Honorary Chairman at Institute for Competitiveness, and professor at Stanford University, India

15:30 – 16:55

Session: Innovation tools in a world of great change

Innovation doesn’t just happen — it’s powered by the right tools, methods, and mindsets. This session will introduce cutting-edge innovation tools designed to spark creativity, accelerate problem-solving, and drive real impact. These tools can help to move from idea to action more effectively. Each presentation will feature hands-on demonstrations, expert insights, and practical use cases that show how innovation is being reimagined across industries. They will also present frameworks that support collaboration, platforms that enhance ideation, and technologies that turn bold thinking into reality. 

Keynote

Edward WOODS | Director R&D / Innovation / Venture Capital de Bouygues Construction, France

Masterclass and workshop:

Societal Impacts : Priorizing research topics in R&I by  Damien VALET   | Innovation Impact Expert, CEA, France

AI-powered tools for ecosystem & collaboration mapping by  Guillaume BUFFET |  Motherbase president, France

Serious game for ethical and economical peace by  Hélène MICHEL |  Professor at GEM/ Program Director of the MSc Innovation & Design Management, France

Digital Transformation for Manufacturing SMEs by  Wei-Chao CHEN |  ITRI Vice President and Senior Export and  Stephen SU |  ITRI Senior Vice President

16:55 – 17:25

Fact Checking # 2- AI 

Tech Shifts: Understanding Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs

This short-format session explores today’s most pressing technological disruptions on AI, Quantum and cybersecurity, and their potential to reshape our world. Inspired by fact-checking, each theme is addressed through myths and preconceived ideas, in order to separate fact from fiction.

Chaired by

Philippe WIECZOREK | Director of Multidisciplinary Institute in Artificial Intelligence, France

17:30 - 17:40

Presentation of Tsukuba ecosystem by Dr. Tatsuo IGARASHI | Mayor of Tsukuba City

18:30 - 21:00

Gala Dinner, Art & Science animation, Grenoble Museum visit

WEDNESDAY 2026, FEBRUARY 4

tech&fest | Alpexpo, Grenoble

This year, the HLF Summit joins Tech&Fest for a unique day of exchange and inspiration!

tech&fest brings together 20,000 innovators — researchers, entrepreneurs, students, and thought leaders — for a vibrant celebration of technology and creativity. In 2026, the festival’s theme, “Autonomy! The Spirit of Tech,” will put sovereignty at the heart of the conversation — rethinking our economic, industrial, energy, and digital independence. An immersive, festive experience where ideas flow, connections grow, and innovation meets impact. 

9:00 – 9:30

Welcome & Opening 

Julie GALLAND | Director of the Technological Research division at CEA, President of GIANT 

Christophe VICTOR | CEO of tech&fest

10:00 - 10:30

Session: From Lab to Market: Aligning Research, Angels, and Venture Capital

This roundtable brings together a RTO startup program director, a seasoned business angel, and a venture capital investor to discuss how innovation moves beyond the lab. Each actor plays a critical and complementary role in transforming research into reality through viable startups. The conversation will explore how early support, mentorship, and funding align across the innovation lifecycle. Speakers will share their roles & practical perspectives on bridging scientific ambition with market realities.A deep dive into collaboration as the key to turning research into successful ventures. 

Laurence PETIT | Director for Innovation, Start-ups, and Investments at CEA, France

Philippe RASE | President, Grenoble Angels, France

Nicola REDI | VC, Obloo Ventures, Italia

10:30 - 11:45

Learning expeditions in Tech&Fest

Discover the frontiers of innovation through guided thematic tours. Participants will explore cutting-edge technologies, meet the teams driving change, and gain unique insights into transformative projects, with exclusive opportunities to network with VIPs and CEOs.

Official photo with all the delegations on the main stage

12:00 - 13:30 

LUNCH BREAK & NETWORKING

13:30 - 15:05

Ecosystem pitch session: my Ecosystem in 180 Seconds

In just 180 seconds, innovation ecosystems take the stage to showcase their unique strengths, collaborations, and visions for the future. This fast-paced session highlights how regional, national, and international ecosystems are driving scientific excellence, technological innovation, and sustainable growth through creative partnerships and bold initiatives.

Chaired by 

Prinnada INTARAMONT | National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thaïland

Emma RICHET   | HLF International Relations Manager & cross disciplinary marketing manager, CEA Research & Technology division, France

15:05 – 15:35

Fact Checking # 3- Cybersecurity

Tech Shifts: Understanding Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs

This short-format session explores today’s most pressing technological disruptions on AI, Quantum and cybersecurity, and their potential to reshape our world.

Karine BANNELIER | Director of Grenoble Alpes Cybersecurity Institute, France

15:30 - 16:30 

Session: Collaborating for a more desirable and sovereign future

In a time of global challenges and rapid transformation, no single actor can shape the future alone. This panel brings together leading innovation experts to explore how cross-sector collaboration is key to building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable societies. From startups to governments, from academia to industry, we’ll examine how diverse ecosystems can align around shared goals while preserving autonomy and sovereignty. 

Chaired by 

Dana BROWN | Global Higher Education Leader, GEM, France

Keynote

Luc JULIA |  AI expert & Renault Innovation Director, USA

Panel

Janekrishna KANATHARANA| Deputy Director-General for Innovation and Sustainable Development, The Federation of Thai Industries, Thailand

Nadège DUMARCHE | Business intelligence, CEA, France

François LEGRAND | Deputy to the Director, in charge of communications, IRT Nanoelec, France

19:00 - 21:30

tech&fest Gala Dinner