The energy on-site TBB in Lisbon was palpable, reflecting an industry no longer talking about the transition but delivering it at scale. More than 1,700 participants from Europe’s clean-tech ecosystem walked through the doors with over 2,800 meetings booked in advance.

Portugal’s Secretary of State for the Economy, João Rui Ferreira, opened the event by underlining how industrial transformation is reshaping Europe’s competitiveness and how nations like Portugal are positioning themselves at the forefront of the clean industrial economy. This was complemented by a video address from Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, who recognised InnoEnergy as a true engine of transformation for Europe’s energy sectors.

In his opening address, Diego Pavía, CEO of InnoEnergy, set the tone with a clear-eyed view of both the challenge ahead and the scale of opportunity it presents. He highlighted that Europe currently consumes around 13,000 terawatt hours of energy – of which 4,000 are electric and 9,000 non-electric. By 2040, overall consumption is expected to fall to about 11,000 terawatt hours thanks to greater efficiency, but the share of electricity will more than double to around 9,000. For Diego, this shift represents a huge opportunity, as electrified energy will increasingly power mobility, heating, and automated industries – areas where Europe’s expertise can drive global leadership.

“At the core of this change is the electron.” – Elena Bou

InnoEnergy’s co-founder Elena Bou reflected on the fact that 50% of European electricity comes from renewable energy, and how the energy transition has become Europe’s defining industrial mission. She spoke about the convergence of three forces: efficiency, economics, and geopolitics, that are driving the shift from fossil-based systems to electrified, renewable ones.

“The electron,” she said, “is at the core of this change.” From heating to transport, and from grids to manufacturing, Elena framed clean industrial electrification as both an economic necessity and a strategic imperative.

“Industrialising innovation is Europe’s strength.” – Michael Liebreich.

Keynote speaker, Michael Liebreich, founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, challenged delegates to focus on pragmatic execution. He argued that Europe’s advantage lies not in invention alone but also in industrialising innovation, scaling proven technologies across complex markets. His message was very clear: the next decade will reward those who turn clean technology into an enduring, profitable industry.

Staying true to its role as a showcase for breakthrough technologies, this year’s TBB shone a spotlight on a new generation of industrial innovators. Among the highlights was the launch of Kore Metals, a Luxembourg-based start-up transforming the strategic metals industry and achieving breakthroughs in green silicon production once thought non-feasible.

Financing the transition: from policy to scale

Investment and scale remained central throughout TBB2025. Philippe Tibi, Chairman of France’s “Scale-Up Financing” project, urged Europe to accelerate the mobilisation of private capital, building on the momentum of the Draghi report. Elina Roine, Deputy Director General at the European Investment Bank (EIB), reinforced that call, noting that investment in clean industrialisation is not a cost but a safeguard for Europe’s long-term prosperity.

That message became even more tangible when Elina Roine signed a €40 million venture debt financing deal between the EIB and Meva Energy, one of InnoEnergy’s portfolio companies. The partnership, which first began at a previous TBB event, will help accelerate Meva Energy’s rollout of modular, carbon-negative biogas technology across Europe. It also showcased how essential events like TBB are when it comes to connecting innovative solutions with the right capital to scale.

“Think big, and interconnected.” – Elina Roine

In the Grid and Storage roundtable, industry leaders including Elina Roine (EIB), Tetsuya Shinohara (Mitsubishi Corporation), André Borouchaki (GE Vernova), Taavi Madiberk (Skeleton Technologies), and Luis Marçal (Siemens) explored how energy security and decarbonisation can advance hand in hand.

From Japan’s example of cross-regional transmission coordination to Europe’s emerging grid solutions, speakers stressed that resilience depends on integration and shared responsibility. “Think big and interconnected,” Roine urged.

Circularity, defence, and Europe’s industrial future

Beyond the plenary sessions, the agenda reflected how clean industrial electrification touches every sector. Panels explored circular innovation, defence and energy security, battery value chains, hydrogen and bioenergy technologies, each offering lessons on scaling impact, bridging the investment gap and turning scientific advances into long-term, competitive industrial realities.

The start-up pitching sessions were another hit this year, with entrepreneurs presenting their solutions to investors and policymakers. The pitching competition winners were Enosis, TaiSan and EcoBean | B Corp™, recognised for their work in carbon capture, sustainable materials and circular bio-waste solutions.

“Our purpose is non-negotiable.” – Diego Pavía

Last but not least, a major milestone in InnoEnergy’s journey was reached with the announcement of Sébastien Clerc as InnoEnergy’s next CEO, effective from 1 January 2026, marking the start of a new chapter in our Vision 2030 growth plan. After 15 years of visionary leadership, Diego Pavía will step down as CEO but remaining to  remain with us for the next three years to support specific initiatives and ensure a seamless transition.

Having already supported 540+ start-ups and scale-ups, created 47,000+ jobs, and helped raise €34 billion in investment, our purpose remains stronger than ever. Now is the time to industrialise clean tech innovation at scale and speed.