CEO Roundtable with Jonathan Holslag: Activating Capital in a Fragmented Geopolitical World

We are pleased to welcome Jonathan Holslag as our featured keynote speaker. Known as a professor of international politics, author and one of Europe’s most compelling voices on geopolitics and strategic autonomy, he also brings a sharp perspective on financial realities and innovative approaches to activating untapped capital in Belgium and Europe. Combined with his analysis of global power shifts and industrial challenges, this promises to be an evening of thought-provoking insights and high-level discussion.

The aim of CEO Roundtable is simple: to create a setting where senior leaders can exchange ideas openly, build stronger connections across the ecosystem and reflect together on what it will take to grow ambitious companies in an increasingly complex world.

A networking reception and walking dinner will follow the keynote and Q&A.

The session will focus on two strongly interconnected themes that are becoming increasingly important for our ecosystem: 

1. The changing geopolitical and industrial context in which European health innovation companies operate

• The changing position of Europe in the global economy
• Europe’s interaction with major geopolitical blocs
• China and the evolving dynamics with the Global South
• the implications for European industry and strategic autonomy
• Policy evolutions such as “Most Favored Nation” approaches in the pharmaceutical sector and their broader implications for Europe.

2. How Europe can mobilize more strategic and long-term capital to support industrial leadership and scaling

• The evolving role of pension funds and financial institutions in Europe
• Why European capital remains comparatively conservative, while shifts emerge in investment appetite toward strategic industries
• The role of fiscal frameworks and investment vehicles
• How Dutch pension funds are beginning to explore these dynamics
• How sectors such as ours could proactively structure broader investment propositions around European strategic industries, manufacturing capacity, resilience, and innovation leadership.

Program

17.00 – Welcome coffee
17.15 – Introduction
17.30 – Keynote & strategic discussion with Jonathan Holslag
19.00 – Networking reception & walking dinner

As this is a CEO-only event for Biovia members, attendance will be limited. Participation in the evening is paid, helping us ensure a focused and highly engaged group of participants. (The fee is waived for Supporting Partners and Biovia board members.)

Invoices will be sent upon registration. The invoice will be considered a no-show fee for anyone unable to attend.