Can a business or a factory run on European technology?

Tuesday Breakfast Ghent

August 25, 2026 (7h30-9h30 CET)

International breakfast meeting, organised by Tuesday Events, in cooperation with Askend, Boardio, Cronos Group, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (Ghent University), ImpactBuilders Industry.

With support from Alumnivereniging van de Ingenieurs afgestuurd aan de Universiteit Gent, Belgian Fire Sprinkler Network (BFSN), Estonian Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland (ECCS), Euro-Gulf Information Center (EGIC), International Chambre of Commerce & Industry, JCI Toompea, TechLane Ghent Science Park, V-ICT-OR, Ukrainian Embassy in the Republic of Estonia.

Can we disconnect from the US?

As prime minister Bart De Wever phrased it: “If we can’t disconnect, we might become slaves of the US”. Okay. But, how realistic is it to switch to entirely European technology? And, what would be the main drivers that would motivate such a drastic change.

Invaluable information for business leaders

Three leaders will bring their vision on this important tech stack change, and show you their first endeavours in adopting Europe-first technology.

Professor Ingrid Moerman from the renowned R&D center IDlab (Imec-Ugent) is leading 300 researchers in Ghent, the 10th tech city of the world. They are doing research on a substantial part of the tech stack: from fundamental research in radio and electromagnetics all the way up to applied research in AI.

She will update us on the technology readiness for European business and for factory automation. And, we don’t have to be ashamed: the European wifi and 5G technology are even more reliable than the non-sovereign technologies available on the market.

Fabrizio Cilli, Operational Technology Cybersecurity Manager at Tecnimont, one of Italy’s leading industrial engineering companies, will explain why technological sovereignty is becoming an increasingly important cybersecurity consideration in the design of factories and critical infrastructure.

Drawing on Tecnimont’s experience delivering complex industrial projects around the world, he will also share how engineering teams adapt to the different cybersecurity, sovereignty and compliance requirements of clients across diverse international markets.

Former Austrian banker and serial entrepreneur Federico Pirola has already done it. He moved several businesses to European IT.

Now, his Swiss investment vehicle will invest in companies that are building part of the European tech stack. Ready for a more resilient Europe.

He will explain why his investment decisions are depending on the amount of “Europe” in the tech stack, and how easy it is to use European alternatives for most common applications.

After each speaker, you will have the opportunity to exchange your vision with fellow business leaders.

Who should attend

The events are targeted specifically to

CEOs, COOs, board members, founders,
supply and value chain managers,
procurement leaders,
sales directors, business developers, export managers

of mid-sized international industrial companies.

Why should you attend

You will meet international colleagues facing similar challenges in different companies.
You will get three inspiring keynotes in less than half an hour.
Our stimulated networking will get you connected with three new business contacts.
You will drive to the office before 10h and after the traffic jams.
Our vetting process reduces the presence of consultants.