The European Water Technology Week 2026: Connecting Global Water Tech Networks
Woensdag 28-10, 10.00-12.00
Plenary session: UPPstage – The Journey of Water Innovation
Organized by UPPWATER
Behind every breakthrough in water technology is a person with a story. UPPstage is not a traditional conference session. Instead of a series of presentations, you’ll experience a live interview programme featuring the people who shape the journey from scientific discovery to real-world impact.
Hosted by journalist Martine Hauwert, the session explores six essential roles in the innovation process. Through personal conversations, we go beyond the technology itself and discover the ambitions, choices, setbacks and defining moments that drive innovation.
Meet:
- The Scientist (Ruixuan Qi, Wetsus) – Where do breakthrough ideas come from?
- The Innovator (Paul Roeleveld, Haskoning) – When does a great idea survive reality?
- The First Adopter (Michiel Louwe Kooijmans, Koninklijke Verzet) – When do you dare to be first?
- The Entrepreneur (Erik Driessen, Acquaint) – How do you build a company instead of just a technology?
- The Catalyst (Heleen Sombekke, UPPWATER) – How do you accelerate an entire innovation ecosystem?
- The Critical Friend (Paul O’Callaghan, Bluetech Research) – What should we do differently?
Interwoven throughout the programme, a selection of award-winning young talents and pioneering entrepreneurs will take the stage to share the innovations that earned them international recognition. Hear from Bas Emaus (JiTiBa, Most Innovative Student Award 2025), Kadey Swe (Dutch representative, Stockholm Junior Water Prize, tbc), Hannah Seong (S&L Ventures, winner WaterCampus Business Challenge 2026, tbc), Paul Buijs (RN Solutions, Aquatech Innovation Award 2025) and Evert van de Werfhorst (Redstack, WEX Global Award 2026) as they showcase how the next generation of innovators is already shaping the future of water technology.
Inspired by the atmosphere of a live interview show, UPPstage focuses on the people behind the innovations. Together we explore their personal journeys, the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned and their vision for the future.
Join us for two hours of inspiring conversations about the people who are turning vision into value.
The UPPWATER programme (2024–2033), supported by the Dutch National Growth Fund, aims to strengthen the earning capacity of the Dutch water technology sector.
By connecting the entire innovation chain—from research and scale-up to first references and market application—UPPWATER enables promising innovations to reach the international market more quickly.
In this session, we will update you on the latest developments within UPPWATER. In addition, five water technology companies will share their experiences with testing and implementing innovations within the programme. They will demonstrate the steps they take to successfully bring their innovations to market and the value these innovations create.
European Water Technology Week 2026: 3 days of insight and engagement in water technology. Location: De Harmonie, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
More info and tickets https://europeanwatertechweek.eu/