BRAVE project partner, the Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE), hosted a special conference track, ‘Scaling in Transitions’, bringing together over 40 entrepreneurs, policymakers, and experts to tackle challenges central to the BRAVE project's mission. The event provided a forum to discuss innovative scaling approaches for accelerating the energy transition in the Rotterdam and Zuid-Holland regions.
An expert panel set the stage by identifying two key paradoxes that projects like BRAVE aim to solve: how to successfully scale circular business models within linear economic systems, and how to best structure the complex public-private cooperation needed for systemic change. The panel featured insights from Anitha . (Senergetics), Stef Clevers (TransitionHERO), Liselore Havermans, PhD (TKI Bouw en Techniek), and Ronald Huisman (Erasmus School of Economics).
Following the panel, the discussion became more focused during round table mastermind sessions. These sessions created a safe space for founders to receive peer-to-peer feedback on concrete scaling challenges. In line with the project's goals, a dedicated table focused on the energy transition, held in cooperation with the Erasmus Centre for Energy Transition, allowed for a deep dive into the specific hurdles faced by innovators in the sector.
The afternoon concluded with an inspiring keynote from Florent Geerts, managing director of impact scaler Delft Imaging. He shared his experience of successfully growing a family firm into a global force by creating a strong identity and mission. His final insight served as a valuable lesson for the BRAVE partnership and its stakeholders: "Scaling feels like driving at 200km/h - allow space for safe conversations and personal resilience." The event demonstrated the power of connecting founders and experts to help move the energy transition forward.
