InnovFest 3.0
On October 29, Technopolis will become the central hub for innovation, collaboration, and competitiveness. InnovFest is the meeting place where companies, research institutions, and policymakers come together to tackle the complex innovation challenges of today and tomorrow.
What can you expect?
InnovFest 2026 offers an inspiring program that looks beyond the boundaries of a single sector. By bringing together ecosystems across sectors, we accelerate the implementation of real solutions.
Inspiring Keynote by Professor Koen Schoors
He takes a critical and illuminating look at the current socioeconomic context. Expect fascinating insights into local globalization, the position of the Flemish knowledge economy within Europe, and the importance of internationalization and competitiveness. The absolute necessity of inter-cluster collaboration and pioneering work will also be discussed in depth.
Practical Insights
Learn from successful, cross-sector innovation projects. We’ll share concrete, actionable use cases that will inspire you right away. Numerous companies and knowledge institutions will share their experiences with inter-cluster collaboration on innovation.
Top-Level Networking
Exchange ideas with industry, research institutions, and government, and help shape the Flemish innovation agenda.
Optional: Guided tour of the FTI Expo
This year, the FTI Expo will take place at the Nekkerhal in Mechelen. This major technology and innovation festival serves as the epicenter of Flanders Technology & Innovation (FTI). We’ll be happy to guide interested attendees through the expo. Afterward, we’ll welcome you to a networking lunch at Technopolis for the InnovFest event.
Joining forces for growth in Flanders
InnovFest is brought to you by the seven Flemish flagship clusters. Together, they form the backbone of the Flemish innovation strategy and serve as indispensable hubs within their ecosystems:
- Blue Cluster (blue economy)
- Biovia (health)
- Catalisti (chemicals and plastics)
- ent.a (experience industry)
- Flanders' FOOD (food)
- Flux50 (energy)
- VIL (logistics)
Together, they identify sector-specific needs, provide guidance on grant applications, and steer concrete innovation projects. At InnovFest, they bring this dynamic together on a single platform.
Practical information
You can expect a detailed program after the summer. The event is free for members of the clusters. Non-members pay 150 euros (excl. VAT). A no-show fee of 85 euros (excl. VAT) applies.
InnovFest & FTI
This edition of InnovFest is part of the Flanders Technology & Innovation Festival, which runs from 16 October to 15 November and features numerous activities across 8 cities. The festival highlights innovation and technological progress, bringing together companies, research institutions, governments and the general public.
The initiative is supported by partner organisations such as VLAIO, which actively promote innovation and collaboration in Flanders. The festival thus creates a platform where ideas, expertise and new partnerships come together, with the aim of further strengthening Flanders’ innovation capacity.
