AI & Open Innovation: Unlocking Growth and Strategic Advantage

Berkeley Innovation Forum Europe 2026 is a three-day executive forum for senior leaders navigating the strategic implications of artificial intelligence, ecosystem transformation, and open innovation.

Empowered by the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) Open Innovation Centre (OIC), the forum brings together business leaders, technology experts, scholars, and ecosystem builders from different industries and countries to examine how organisations can unlock growth and ensure strategic advantage in a more connected and AI-driven economy.

About Berkeley Innovation Forum

Born in Berkeley. Built for open innovation. Now in Europe, empowered by Kaunas University of Technology.

The BIF story
Where open innovation is born

Berkeley Innovation Forum is built on an open innovation framework that fosters the exchange of knowledge and experience among innovative businesses from diverse industries and is orchestrated by academia. Academia offers a knowledgeable and impartial platform for productive co-creation of innovations.

The promise of BIF Europe
Open innovation for resilient businesses

Open innovation enables resilient businesses to look beyond internal capabilities and resources, partnering with customers, suppliers, startups, universities, public institutions, and sometimes competitors to anticipate AI disruption and turn uncertainty into opportunity.

Featured Speakers

Knowledge and experience sharing with globally recognised executives, AI experts, innovators, and researchers shaping the future of artificial intelligence through open innovation.

Prof. Henry Chesbrough

Faculty Co-director, Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation, UC Berkeley

Dr. Bettina Rotermund

SVP, Head of Analyst Relations & Strategy Siemens Xcelerator

Prof. Šarūnas Grigaliūnas

Head of National Cyber Security Centre of Excellence at KTU

Animated registration graphic for Berkeley Innovation Forum Europe 2026 with alternating text panels. The visual displays “Join senior executives, researchers & innovators for 3 days of strategic exchange”, “Book Your Ticket Today”, “Connect With Innovation Leaders”, “Reserve Your Place”, “Berkeley Innovation Forum, Europe 2026”, “11–13 November”, and “KTU M-Lab, Kaunas, Lithuania”. It functions as a link to register and book a ticket for the forum.

Why Attend BIF Europe 2026

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Explore how AI changes business models, value creation, and risks

The programme covers the future of AI, AI market bubbles, cybersecurity, AI in manufacturing and electronics, and capturing value through open innovation. It is relevant to executives making strategic decisions about AI investments.

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Meet with business, technology, and innovation leaders

Join a three-day networking opportunity with the people shaping the European innovation, AI, and technology agenda.

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Access world-class open innovation, knowledge, and practices

This is a rare opportunity for leaders in Europe to gain practical insights into building innovation ecosystems that create real business value.

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Build partnerships and co-create solutions

The programme includes a business challenge format that allows executives to co-create new business ideas, technological solutions, and joint projects that can be launched immediately after the forum.

Programme

11–13 November, 2026 
KTU M-Lab, Kaunas, Lithuania

BIF Europe 2026 is organised around one strategic question: how can companies use AI and open innovation to create value without losing control? Across three days, the programme connects open innovation thinking developed at Berkeley, KTU’s technological expertise and innovation capabilities, and the practical challenges that European companies face.

Participants will explore how to make better AI investment decisions, build stronger innovation partnerships, manage data, IP, and cybersecurity risks, and turn ideas into concrete collaboration opportunities. The programme combines keynotes, executive panels, peer exchange, challenge-based formats, networking sessions, and the official launch of the KTU Open Innovation Centre.

11 November, 2026

16:30–19:30

Opening keynote on orchestrating open innovation ecosystems
Strategic session on the ambition and future direction of the KTU Open Innovation Centre
Official launch of the KTU Open Innovation Centre
Curated networking reception with invited business, research, and ecosystem leaders

12 November, 2026

08:00–17:30

Networking breakfast and executive briefing
Opening keynote on open innovation logic and ecosystem collaboration
Keynote on building digital ecosystem business models
Panel discussion on the future of cybersecurity
Challenge sessions across energy, electronics, AI, defence, digital health and food
Keynote on strategic technology leadership and industrial competitiveness
Panel discussion on AI in manufacturing and electronics
Fireside chat on what the open innovation ecosystem can build together in 12 months
Evening networking programme

13 November, 2026

08:00–14:30

Networking breakfast
Keynote on technological market bubbles
Panel discussion on AI market bubbles, failed investments, and lessons learned
Keynote on the future of AI
Panel discussion on open innovation and AI: opportunities, threats, and value capture
Closing plenary on next steps for OIC members and future initiatives
Networking lunch
Large companies-startups matchmaking session

Partners

Main Partner
Strategic partner driving collaboration between industry, academia, and innovation ecosystems to accelerate AI adoption and open innovation across Europe.

Choose Your Participation Format

Individual Executive Pass €1,200 + VAT

Join the full BIF Europe 2026 programme as an individual participant.

Team Pass €1,000 + VAT per person for 3+ participants from one organisation

Join as a team of 3 or more to align your organisation around new ideas, partners and opportunities. Team tickets are €1,000 + VAT per person.

Become a KTU OIC member and receive more benefits »

KTU OIC membership includes 3 BIF Europe tickets and opens access to year-round strategic sessions, expert matchmaking and innovation partnership opportunities.

Individual Executive Pass €1,200 + VAT

Join the full BIF Europe 2026 programme as an individual participant.

Team Pass €1,000 + VAT per person for 3+ participants from one organisation

Join as a team of 3 or more to align your organisation around new ideas, partners and opportunities. Team tickets are €1,000 + VAT per person.

Become a KTU OIC member and receive more benefits »

KTU OIC membership includes 3 BIF Europe tickets and opens access to year-round strategic sessions, expert matchmaking and innovation partnership opportunities.

Secure Your Place At BIF Europe 2026

Arrival

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By Plane

Kaunas Airport (KUN) is the nearest airport, about 15 km from the city centre. Bus 29G connects the airport with the central bus station in 30–40 minutes. Taxis are available outside the terminal. Vilnius Airport (VNO) is the main international airport, located about 100 km from Kaunas. Intercity buses and trains connect the airport or central Vilnius with Kaunas in 1.5–2 hours. The easiest option is to take a Bolt taxi from the airport to Vilnius he Bolt pick-up area is to the left after exiting the arrivals terminal at the airport.

White taxi icon inside a dark blue circle representing taxi and ride-hailing transportation options for reaching the Berkeley Innovation Forum Europe 2026 venue.

By Taxi

Licensed taxis and ride-share services (Bolt, Uber) operate throughout Kaunas. From the airport or bus station, rides to the conference venue take 15–25 minutes.

White train icon inside a dark blue circle representing railway travel options for reaching the Berkeley Innovation Forum Europe 2026 venue in Kaunas.

By Train

If you are arriving at Vilnius Airport, you can take a train from Vilnius Railway Station to Kaunas Railway Station. Trains run frequently (approximately every 1–2 hours), and the journey takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes. Train tickets and schedules: https://ltglink.lt/en

White bus icon inside a dark blue circle representing public transportation options for reaching the Berkeley Innovation Forum Europe 2026 venue in Kaunas.

By Bus

International and intercity buses arrive at Kaunas Bus Station (Vytauto Ave. 24). From there, KTU M-Lab (Studentų St. 63) can be reached by public transport heading towards the KTU campus area. After getting off at a stop near Studentų Street or the KTU campus, the venue is only a short walk away.

FAQ

Who should attend?

BIF Europe 2026 is designed for senior leaders and decision-makers involved in innovation, strategy, technology, digital transformation, R&D, business development, partnerships, AI adoption, and corporate transformation. The forum is especially relevant for CEOs, board members, innovation leaders, CTOs, CIOs, R&D leaders, business development teams, corporate venture leads in technology companies, public innovation actors and researchers working with industry.

Is the forum relevant for companies that already have internal innovation teams?

Yes. The forum is particularly relevant for companies that already innovate internally but now face challenges that cannot be solved alone: AI adoption, access to specialised knowledge, cybersecurity, industrial transformation, data governance, talent, market uncertainty, supplier and start-up collaboration, and technology validation.

The value is not in replacing internal innovation. The value is in helping companies decide where to open up, whom to partner with, how to govern collaboration and how to capture value from external knowledge.

Is the event only for large corporations?

No. The programme is relevant for large companies, scale-ups, technology firms, public organisations and innovation ecosystem actors. However, the forum is especially designed for organisations with serious strategic questions around AI, open innovation, technology adoption and cross-sector collaboration.

Can start-ups participate?

Yes. Start-ups are welcome where their technologies, capabilities or business models are relevant to the forum themes. BIF Europe will include formats connecting large companies, technology firms, start-ups, researchers and ecosystem actors.

Can public sector organisations participate?

Yes. Public sector organisations, municipalities, innovation agencies and policy actors are relevant participants, especially where their work relates to AI adoption, digital transformation, innovation ecosystems, public-private partnerships, technology regulation, procurement, data governance or regional competitiveness.

What will participants gain from attending?

Strategic clarity on how AI changes business models, risks and value capture.

Access to world-class open innovation insight, including Berkeley-originated thinking and contributions from international experts.

Executive peer learning with leaders facing similar strategic choices around AI adoption, partnerships, technology transformation and competitiveness.

High-value networking with business leaders, technology experts, researchers, start-ups and ecosystem organisations.

Connection to KTU capabilities, including applied research, laboratories, students, challenge-based collaboration and follow-up partnership pathways through the KTU Open Innovation Centre.

What is the event language?

The main language of BIF Europe 2026 will be English.

Is participation limited

Yes. BIF Europe is designed as an executive forum with a selective and high-quality participant group. The number of places may be limited to maintain the quality of discussion, networking and peer exchange.

Early registration is recommended.

Can organisations register several participants?

Yes. Organisations are encouraged to send more than one participant where this supports strategic follow-up. For example, a company may benefit from involving a senior executive, innovation lead, technology lead or business development representative.

Team participation is especially useful when the goal is to translate forum insights into internal decisions or future partnerships.

Is the venue accessible?

KTU M-Lab is expected to support accessibility needs. Participants with specific accessibility requirements should contact the organising team in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made.