Wednesday

09:30 – 10:00
Welcome, coffee/tea

10:00 – 12:00
Plenary session: UPPstage – The journey of water innovation

Organized by UPPWATER.

Behind every breakthrough in water technology is a person with a story. UPPstage is not a traditional conference session. You will experience a live interview program featuring the people who shape the journey from scientific discovery to real-world impact.

Hosted by journalist Martine Hauwert, the session explores six essential roles in the innovation process. Through personal conversations, we go beyond the technology itself and discover the ambitions, choices, setbacks and defining moments that drive innovation.

Meet:

• The Scientist (Ruixuan Qi, Wetsus) – Where do breakthrough ideas come from?
• The Innovator (Paul Roeleveld, Haskoning) – When does a great idea survive reality?
• The First Adopter (Michiel Louwe Kooijmans, Koninklijke Verzet) – When do you dare to be first?
• The Entrepreneur (Erik Driessen, Acquaint) – How do you build a company instead of just a technology?
• The Catalyst (Heleen Sombekke, UPPWATER) – How do you accelerate an entire innovation ecosystem?
• The Critical Friend (Paul O’Callaghan, BlueTech Research) – What should we do differently?

Interwoven throughout the programme, a selection of award-winning young talents and pioneering entrepreneurs will take the stage to share the innovations that earned them international recognition. Hear from Bas Emaus (JiTiBa, Most Innovative Student Award 2025), Hannah Seong (S&L Ventures, winner WaterCampus Business Challenge 2026), Paul Buijs (RN Solutions, Aquatech Innovation Award 2025) and Evert van de Werfhorst (Redstack, WEX Global Award 2026) as they showcase how the next generation of innovators is already shaping the future of water technology.

Inspired by the atmosphere of a live interview show, UPPstage focuses on the people behind the innovations. Together we explore their personal journeys, the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned and their vision for the future.

Join us for two hours of inspiring conversations about the people who are turning vision into value.

Side program

• Workshop Water cycle restoration in progress

12:00 – 14:00
Lunch, visit exhibition floor and posters/matchmaking

14:00 – 15:00
Plenary session

Chair: Anne-Wil Lucas, director CEW 

• Keynote Paul O’Callaghan, founder and CEO BlueTech Research
• Presentation by winner WIS Award
• Signing Dutch-Portuguese Water Tech Alliance: Ronald Wielinga, Water Alliance & Miguel Lemos, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Águas de Gaia

15:00 – 15:30
Break

15:30 – 17:00

Parallel sessions

3.1 Closed session

3.2 Challenges in water harvesting and water treatment for agricultural irrigation

3.3 AI & water innovation: building the infrastructure of tomorrow 

3.4 From detection to removal: tackling micropollutants in the water cycle 

3.5 Circular water in Europe: regulation, innovation, and scaling solutions

3.6 Closed session

3.7 The UK: a hub for business & innovation

3.8 Young talent in water technology

17:00 – 18:30

Drinks and networking