Upstream 2023 announces speakers, founders & investors

Rotterdam builds future-proof economy

Rotterdam, April 03, 2023 - The Rotterdam metropolitan region will transform into a European innovation hub from May 23 to 25; Upstream 2023 takes place then, making the region the hub of everything and everyone related to innovation, investment and growth. Upstream now announces the first selection of speakers; a refreshing lineup of inspiring founders, tech specialists, artists, climate activists and journalists will take the stage during the three-day festival, which this year is more international than ever. This makes Upstream - now in its fourth year - the tech festival of the future-proof economy; the place to be for every European founder with growth ambitions, who wants to create sustainable impact.

Photo: Upstream Festival 2022

Rotterdam steadily growing into meaningful European innovation hub

For the past three editions, more than 6,000 participants attended Upstream Rotterdam. It offers a three-day program with some 50 events. Lars Crama, Private Lead at Up!Rotterdam, "Upstream festival provides a platform where we empower innovators, investors and changemakers to accelerate sustainable growth together. This year's event features a mix of speakers with expertise in themes such as tech, sustainability, social impact, diversity and inclusion. The festival - with this year not only a Dutch but also an international focus - brings together a growing community of talent and like-minded people."

Founders, tech specialists and climate activists

Today, tech festival Upstream is already announcing the first speakers and and special guests:

Ruben Brave - multiple (tech & media) entrepreneur and investor, with a great sense of diversity and inclusion, CEO of Entelligence
Constantine of Orange-Nassau - of Techleap.co.uk and accelerator for the tech ecosystem in the Netherlands.
Hannah Prins - criminal justice student and climate activist, on how law can be used as a tool against climate change.
Jimmy Nelson - world-traveling artist constantly seeking to connect with different indigenous cultures.
Wouter van Noort - innovative journalist, podcaster and curator exploring groundbreaking ideas for a better future.
Arosha Brewer - visionary brain behind groundbreaking wellness software Quan.

Talent Tuesday, Capital Wednesday, Growth Thursday

With nearly 1,700 active startups in the Smart Logistics, Life Sciences, Deeptech, Megatronics and Cleantech clusters, the Rotterdam Metropolitan Region has emerged as the perfect base for startups and scale-ups. That is why Upstream 2023 is dedicating Talent Tuesday to some of these innovators, including: Micky Chen CO founder of ''Minite' - A platform that connects pre-qualified student freelancers with inspiring companies for freelance work in digital marketing, sales, research, data, IT and design. However, also, Djordy Seelmann, CEO at 'Housing Anywhere's' - World's largest medium-term rental platform that connects property owners with international students and young professionals. Talent Tuesday also offers career fairs, coding challenges and networking events to connect scale-ups with new talent and provide a platform for their innovative solutions and technologies. Wednesday is Capital Day with a program focused on connecting startups and scale-ups with leading, international investors. Thursday focuses on growth, bringing together innovative SMEs, corporate partners, startups and scale-ups to gain insights for the future and launch co-creations.