TNW Conference 2025

Key insights from TNW Conference 2025


Technology leaders gathered to explore innovation, regulation, and actionable solutions for strengthening Europe's tech ecosystems and global competitiveness.


In brief:

  • Thousands of founders, builders, startups, and scaleups shared big ideas and new business opportunities, offering insightful and inspiring thoughts like never before.
  • Reshaping business requires embracing AI as a vital strategy for companies to thrive in a rapidly evolving market, driving innovation and ensuring long-term success.

Technology leaders share key insights on innovation and actionable solutions, advocating for the need for education, embracing AI as a collaborative partner, and fostering essential skills like curiosity and resilience for shaping a confident future.

Kim Verkooij, Co-founder and CEO, Solvimon

“If you don’t educate your customers, your competitors will. We utilize our software not only for invoicing but also for pricing strategy. Our hybrid pricing model, which combines various elements, allows customers to start using the product and benefit from its success while safeguarding against potential downsides. It’s essential to gather feedback from customers and understand your monetization strategy; you need to evolve this consistently. This approach ensures that as customers grow, they continue to find value in your offerings, fostering loyalty and long-term relationships. By staying attuned to their needs and adapting your strategies accordingly, you can maintain a competitive edge in the market.”

Else Luisman, TikTok, Head of CPG, Beauty & Travel

“We moved from the age of linear viewing to the age of search, to the age of algorithmic discovery, being shown what we never knew we wanted. TikTok has fundamentally transformed content consumption and revolutionized the internet. Originating from 15-second videos, it has become a powerful engine for cultural creation, discovery, and influence. The platform's technology, algorithms, and community dynamics play a crucial role in its global impact, sparking trends and reshaping advertising, music, and commerce.”

Lyudmila Todorovska, Digital Transformation Leader, Heineken

“Be your authentic self; your strength should be valued. In the face of geopolitical shifts, trade wars, resource scarcity, climate change, and societal transformations, alongside the AI revolution, essential skills are more important than ever.

Nurturing curiosity is critical—explore new ideas, understand their workings, and learn to use them effectively. Resilience is vital for adapting to constant change, while teaching our children critical thinking is indispensable in evaluating tools like ChatGPT for logical coherence and reliability.

The essential trio of skills—natural curiosity, resilience, and critical thinking—forms a strong foundation. Take action, experiment, and foster curiosity through education to cultivate inquisitive thinkers.”

Beth Robinson, NVIDIA, Sales Enablement Manager, EMEA

“There is no better time to research the best AI tools and niche applications if you're seeking something specific. Ongoing education is crucial, as society and government play significant roles in how AI will impact every aspect of our lives. Many schools and enterprises, starting with large multinationals, are beginning to adapt.

 

It’s essential to make your employees feel heard by addressing their thoughts, feelings, and fears regarding technological development. Implementing guardrails and processes will help ensure a smooth transition into an AI-driven future.”

 

Isabell Moll, VP Sales & MD Benelux, Dell Technologies

“Work is becoming increasingly complex, necessitating collaboration and collective intelligence. It’s essential to view AI as an agent or team member, adopting a new mindset that can unleash creativity. To operationalize this concept, we must consider the perspective of team members.

 

It’s not just about completing training; it’s about evolving and learning how to prompt effectively. While not everyone may excel at prompting, it significantly benefits the organization. Companies need to be purposeful with AI, starting from the top, ensuring every employee understands their role in this process.

 

Emphasizing overwhelming, empathic leadership is crucial. Understanding what the team needs amidst everyday tech changes prepares us for the unexpected.”

 

Jacqueline van den Ende, Carbon Euquity

“Just imagine how amazing the world will be once we run on 100% renewable energy. It’s free, with zero marginal costs. And I’m 100% sure this transition is going to happen.”

Natalia Rodriguez Martin, EY Global Artificial Intelligence Clients and Markets Leader

“AI is moving from the theoretical to real-world application across the mobility space, from connected vehicles to predictive maintenance and much more. At EY, we’ve been exploring this journey ourselves through our ‘Client Zero’ program, applying these technologies internally to shape our future with confidence. We thoroughly test our services and solutions internally before offering them to clients. If they do not meet our standards or function effectively for us, we do not provide them to customers.”



Summary

The TNW Conference 2025 brought together technology leaders to discuss innovation, regulation, and actionable solutions for enhancing Europe’s tech ecosystems. Key insights include the importance of educating customers, embracing AI as a collaborative team member, and nurturing essential skills like curiosity, resilience, and critical thinking. Industry experts emphasize the need for ongoing education and the significance of understanding employee concerns regarding technological advancements.

The conference highlighted the rapid evolution of business practices, showcasing how AI can drive efficiency and foster long-term success in a competitive landscape.


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