Keynote speakers

Björn Sandén

Focusing on Environmental Sustainability | Björn Sandén is professor of Innovation and Sustainability at the Division of Environmental Systems Analysis at Chalmers University of Technology. He conducts research, writes and teaches on topics such as climate and technology policy, life cycle assessment, technological innovation systems and industrial transitions. He has been involved in a range of studies on renewable energy and nanotechnology concerning how technology, economics and policy can interact to induce innovation and growth of environmentally benign technologies and how unsustainable pathways can be avoided. He works interdisciplinary and cooperates with sociologists and economists as well as chemists and physicists. He frequently lectures to a wide range of audiences and takes part in discussions and debates in newspapers, radio and TV.

Robin Teigland

Focusing on Circular Economy | Robin Teigland is Professor of Strategy and Management of Digitalization in the Entrepreneurship and Strategy Division at Chalmers. Robin is a Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, and in 2017, 2018, and 2019 she was listed by the Swedish business magazine, Veckans Affärer, as one of Sweden’s most influential women, primarily in technology. In 2019, she was also ranked as one of Sweden’s top 100 public speakers. Robin is the Director of Ocean Data Factory Sweden, Sweden’s first national ocean data lab, that promotes innovation based on the application of AI to ocean data. ODF’s mission is to ensure that Sweden plays a leading role in the development of the global blue economy and to ensure that the ocean and its resources are managed in the best possible and most sustainable way. Additionally, Robin is an impact entrepreneur, working to develop a blue circular economy in Peniche, Portugal under the Peniche Ocean Watch Initiative and her startup, Ocean Tech Hub LDA. The Peniche Ocean Watch Initiative (POW) aspires to enable a blue circular economy and global best practice in tackling ocean waste and regional rejuvenation through joining forces with local efforts in the coastal areas of Peniche and facilitating knowledge sharing and creativity in ocean-based industry and digitalization.

John Bessant

Focusing on Social Innovation | John Bessant has been active in the field of research and consultancy in technology and innovation management for over 40 years. In addition to his role as Emeritus Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Exeter he has visiting appointments at the universities of Stavanger, Norway and Erlangen-Nuremburg, Germany. In 2003, he has acted as advisor to various national governments and to international bodies including the United Nations, The World Bank and the OECD. John is the author of over 45 books and monographs and many articles on the topic and has lectured and consulted widely around the world. His most recent books include Managing innovation (2020) (now in its 7th edition), Entrepreneurship (2018) (both published by John Wiley and Sons) and 'Riding the innovation wave' (Emerald, 2017).

Fredrika Klarén

Polestar  | Polestar is a Swedish automotive company, and brand, developing electric performance cars. You will meet Fredrika Klarén, who is Head of sustainability.

Martin Edlund 

Minesto | Minesto - Power to change the Future develops a revolutionary concept for generating electricity from the ocean that unlocks a so far untapped renewable energy resource. It is a marine technology developer, founded in 2007. Since then, Minesto has successfully developed its unique Deep Green technology. You will meet Martin Edlund, who is CEO of the company.