How can the circular economy, together with new European legislation such as the Circular Economy Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act, strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy and global competitiveness?

The discussion will focus on removing barriers within the Single Market, harmonising rules for recycled materials, and the growing importance of data in building material independence and resilient value chains.

Speakers

• Ronald Blaho, Executive Director, Asekol
• Michal Kořan, Founder & Chairman, GARI Enterprise
• Luca Polidori, Circular & Blue Economy / Coordination Team of the EVEN CLOSER I3, EVEN Closer
• Ján Skolil, Authorized Representative and Technical Director, Classic Oil

This keynote introduces the Global Circularity Protocol as a new international framework for measuring, managing and communicating circular economy performance.

It demonstrates how organisations can translate circularity principles into measurable indicators, strategic objectives and management decisions.

The session also explains how the Protocol complements CSRD and VSME requirements. While these frameworks define what companies should disclose, the Global Circularity Protocol provides a practical methodology for measuring and managing circularity so that data supports not only regulatory compliance, but also resilience, competitiveness and access to capital.

The keynote bridges the discussion on the circular economy as a strategic pillar of European competitiveness with the emerging economy of procurement, where decisions are increasingly driven by quality data, transparency and long-term value rather than the lowest price.

Speakers:

• Jacco Jochemsen, Co-founder, Current

Procurement is no longer only about achieving the lowest price—it has become a strategic function that determines supply chain resilience and business competitiveness.

This discussion explores how strategic and circular procurement can strengthen resilient supply chains by connecting perspectives from both the private sector and public procurement within the context of new European standards.

Speaker

• Juraj Tkáč, Chairman, Public Procurement Professionals Association

Presentation and Memorandum Signing Ceremony

Data is becoming a new competitive advantage.

Digital Product Passports establish a common digital infrastructure for transparent product information throughout the entire lifecycle of products. They enable more effective implementation of circular economy principles, increase trust across supply chains, and strengthen the competitiveness of European industry.

Speaker:

• Martin Basila, CEO, Sensoneo

Energy is no longer simply an operating expense—it has become a strategic asset that shapes both business resilience and competitiveness.

The discussion explores the potential of decentralised energy generation and smart energy consumption as foundations for resilient businesses. The circular economy provides the systemic framework, industrial symbiosis delivers practical solutions, and decarbonisation becomes a natural outcome of both.

Speakers

• Libor Láznička, Consultant & Partner, energIQube
• Peter Pajerchin, Sales Director – Strategic Development & Innovation, Brantner
• Milan Zvara, Head of Corporate Sustainability & Development Department, ZSE

How can circular economy principles and material resilience be successfully implemented in construction?

This discussion explores how upcoming legislation, harmonised standards and digitalisation can transform buildings into strategic material banks, and how medium-sized companies can prepare for this transition.

Speakers

• Vera Economou, Head of Sustainable Solutions Group WB CEE, ING Bank
• Adam Janošec, Incien CZ
• Jana Pančíková Zimanová, Technical Competence Centre, Danucem
• Bjørn Kierulf, CEO, EcoCocon & Createrra
• Jan Pešta, Scientific Researcher, ČVUT – UCEEB

Central Question

Are circular startups ready to transform the market—or does the market first need to transform itself?

For many circular startups, the greatest challenge today is not technology or innovation, but a market that still favours linear solutions, short-term costs and established business models.

Circular startups introduce far more than new products—they create new value chains, new partnerships and often entirely new markets where the rules have yet to be defined.

This interactive Czech-Slovak discussion brings startup founders face-to-face with market expectations through an open fishbowl debate. Rather than presenting success stories, the session focuses on identifying what truly determines whether a circular innovation can become a viable business.

The discussion compares the Czech and Slovak startup ecosystems while examining the conditions governments, municipalities, investors and corporations must create for circular innovation to become mainstream rather than remain successful pilot projects.

Key Takeaways

• Why markets—not technology—often represent the greatest barrier for circular startups.
• Differences between the Czech and Slovak innovation ecosystems.
• The role of transition brokers in enabling systemic change.
• What investors, banks, customers and the public sector expect from startups.
• Practical recommendations for creating an environment where circular startups can scale and transform entire industries.

Speakers:

• Matej Held, Co-CEO and Co-founder, Lifbee, Lifbee Academy
• Erik Nickman, Founder & CEO, Parkan Crudes
• David Šohaj Minařík, Myco
• Michal Šula, Founder & Chairman, Terratico