2020 Investor Forum
CATALYZING INNOVATION
THROUGH INVESTMENTS IN
SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY
__
INVESTOR FORUM AND INNOVATION SHOWCASE
October 21, 22, 23 Schmidt Marine, The Embarcadero, San Francisco
online
15:30 GMT + 2


Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the goals of the Paris Climate Accord requires massive technological changes in multiple areas such as energy, mobility, construction, housing, agriculture and others. The chemical sector is a key contributor to these changes. Sustainable Chemistry is the key innovation driver in the areas of energy production, energy storage (new battery concepts), fuels from CO2 use, new building materials and insulation materials, new circular plastics industry (bio-benign materials, chemical recycling), reusable lightweight materials and environmentally friendly food production.
Current financial mechanisms do not properly reflect the needs of the emerging innovation pipeline for sustainable chemistry.
This forum explores the role of sustainable chemistry in innovations that achieve the SDGs, the role of frontier capital and blended financing mechanisms to secure the innovation pipeline, and the dynamics of the innovation eco-system.
October 21
Welcome Day 1
Andreas Förster, Director, ISC3 Innovation Hub
Panel Discussion
“Untapped Innovation Opportunities – Sustainable Development Goals and the Catalytic Role of Sustainable Chemistry”
The SDGs represent massive purchase order for a portfolio of innovations that can profoundly alter the landscape of traditional chemistry. How can the SDGs be achieved by supporting innovation in sustainable chemistry, and what direction must these innovations take?
Opening Remarks
Christine Wellington-Moore, United Nations Development Programme
Moderator: Alexis Bazzanella, co-director ISC3 Innovation Hub
with speakers:
Christine Wellington-Moore, Programme Advisor, UN Development Programme
Gian deBelder, Technical Director Packaging Sustainability, Procter & Gamble
Pierre Barthélémy, Executive Director of Research and Innovation, Cefic
Elsbeth Roelofs, Senior Program Manager Sustainable Chemical Business, MVO Nederlands
Startups present innovations
Greenjoules | Indresmat | LeafyLife | KBCols | Biosolvit
October 22
Welcome Day 2
Daniella Russo, CEO, Think Beyond™ Innovation Accelerator
Panel Discussion
"Supporting Innovation with Appropriate Financing - Emerging Investment Vehicles"
Exploring the role of conventional vs emerging financing vehicles; impact investment and access to high-risk capital for early stage innovation, funding scaling up and growth capital; what financial instruments exist or must be created. Exploring investments in sustainable chemistry frontier capital and blended capital to support hi-risk early stage innovations in bio-based chemicals and materials, bio-composites and circular technologies.
Opening Remarks
Ludwig Goris, PhD, Senior Investment Manager, Capricorn Partners
Moderator: Daniella Russo, CEO, Think Beyond Innovation Accelerator
with speakers:
Danya Hakeem, Director of Innovation, Agriculture & Circular Economy, Elemental Excelerator
Marc Leduc, PhD, Investment Manager, BASF Venture Capital
Martin Mulvihill, PhD, Founding General Partner, Safer Made Fund
Ludwig Goris, PhD, Senior Investment Manager, Capricorn Partners
Startups present innovations
Genecis | SKRS | AKYAS | Algoliner | ANUKA | Makabi Agritech | Primitives
October 23
Welcome Day 3
Alexis Bazzanella, Co-director ISC3 Innovation Hub
Panel Discussion
"Growing the Innovation Eco-system – identifying innovation, accelerating startups and supporting growth"
Exploring the dynamics of the innovation eco-system, and relationships with NGO, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and policy-makers
Opening Remarks:
Alexis Bazzanella, Co-director ISC3 Innovation Hub
Moderator: Nils Decker, International Relations Manager, ISC3 Innovation Hub
with speakers:
AbdelRaman Fahmy, Sustainable Business Development Missionary and Chairman, youthinkgreen Egypt
Nitesh Mehta, Convenor of Industrial Green Chemistry World (IGCW), Founder/Director of Newreka Green Synth Technologies
Rócio Fonseca, Chief Innovation Officer at the Chilean Economic Development Agency
Hugo Delissen, Business Development Manager Startups at Brightlands Chemelot Campus
Startups present innovations
AC Biode | Andes Biotechnology | Banyan Nation
ISC3 Innovation Challenge Finalists and Awards
Zila Works | Ecovon | Reuse Design Laboratory | Ecoact Tansania | Glassolina