Open innovation is redefining how organisations approach collaboration, technology, and long-term development. Berkeley Innovation Forum Europe 2026 brings together business leaders, researchers, and innovation practitioners to exchange perspectives on today’s most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities.
12–13 November 2026 · KTU M-Lab · Kaunas, Lithuania
Berkeley Innovation Forum Europe 2026 is a two-day executive forum for senior leaders navigating the strategic implications of artificial intelligence, ecosystem transformation, and open innovation.
11 November 2026 · KTU M-Lab · Kaunas, Lithuania
The forum will be preceded by the official opening of the KTU Open Innovation Centre.
Empowered by the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) Open Innovation Centre (OIC) together with UC Berkeley, 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.
The BIF story
Where open innovation became executive practice
Berkeley Innovation Forum originated at UC Berkeley’s Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation as a curated executive forum where corporate innovation leaders exchange real challenges, practical experience, and current research. BIF Europe brings that logic to Kaunas: a focused setting for leaders who need to make better decisions about AI, technology, partnerships, and value capture.
The promise of BIF Europe
Open innovation for resilient businesses
BIF Europe is built for companies facing questions that cannot be solved internally. Through the KTU Open Innovation Centre, the forum connects leaders with university expertise, technology capabilities, researchers, students, public-sector actors, and business partners to reduce risk and turn collaboration into pilots, partnerships, and new growth options.
Knowledge and experience sharing with globally recognised executives, AI experts, innovators, and researchers shaping the future of artificial intelligence through open innovation.
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.
Meet with business, technology, and innovation leaders
Join a two-day networking opportunity with the people shaping the European and global innovation, AI, and technology agenda.
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.
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.
BIF Europe 2026 · 12–13 November, 2026
KTU M-Lab, Studentų str. 63a, LT-51369, Kaunas, Lithuania
BIF Europe 2026 is built around one strategic question: how can companies use AI and open innovation to create value without losing control?
Across two focused days, the forum will connect Berkeley’s open innovation thinking, KTU’s technological and research capabilities, and the real strategic challenges facing European companies. The programme is designed for senior leaders who need to make better decisions about AI, partnerships, ecosystems, data, IP, cybersecurity, and value capture.
Official pre-event · 11 November 2026
BIF Europe will be preceded by the official opening of the KTU Open Innovation Centre.
16:30–19:30 Official opening of the KTU Open Innovation Centre
08:00–17:30
08:00–17:30
Main Partner
Strategic partner driving collaboration between industry, academia, and innovation ecosystems to accelerate AI adoption and open innovation across Europe.
Join the full BIF Europe 2026 programme as an individual participant.
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.
KTU OIC membership includes 3 BIF Europe tickets and opens access to year-round strategic sessions, expert matchmaking and innovation partnership opportunities.
Join the full BIF Europe 2026 programme as an individual participant.
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.
KTU OIC membership includes 3 BIF Europe tickets and opens access to year-round strategic sessions, expert matchmaking and innovation partnership opportunities.
By Plane
Kaunas Airport (KUN) is the nearest airport, approximately 15 km from the city centre. Bus 29G connects the airport with central Kaunas in around 30–40 minutes, and taxis or ride-hailing services are available outside the terminal.
Vilnius Airport (VNO) is the main international airport in Lithuania, located approximately 100 km from Kaunas. Participants arriving in Vilnius can travel to Kaunas by train, intercity bus, or private transfer. The usual travel time is around 1.5–2 hours, depending on the connection.
By Taxi
Licensed taxis and ride-share services (Bolt, Uber) operate throughout Kaunas. From Kaunas airport or bus station, rides to the conference venue take 15–25 minutes.
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
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.
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.
The ticket includes access to the BIF Europe 2026 programme, including keynotes, panels, business challenge sessions, networking formats, coffee breaks, lunches, and selected evening networking activities. Travel and accommodation are not included.
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.
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.
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.
The main language of BIF Europe 2026 will be English.
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.
Director, KTU Open Innovation Centre
phone: +370 633 030 72
email: lukas.geryba@ktu.lt
Studentų str. 63a, MLab210, LT-51369, Kaunas Lithuania
General enquiries: openinnovation@ktu.lt
