Join us at the next edition of the Festival of Disruption! Dive into today’s most pressing issues, from the energy transition and preventive healthcare to sustainable semiconductors and creating an inclusive society. Be part of the change and sign up now!
Keynote speaker Teun Toebes
What does a society look like where everyone truly belongs? Teun Toebes shares his powerful story about humanity, inclusion, and changing systems from within. By choosing to live in a nursing home, he shows how real change starts with understanding people’s lives up close.
Teun Toebes (26) is an international healthcare innovator with a mission to improve the quality of life for people with dementia worldwide. Having lived in a nursing home for over three years, he has experienced firsthand why this change is so urgently needed. Therefore, Teun decided to elevate his mission by looking beyond our borders.
To find answers on how we can make the future more beautiful and inclusive, he traveled the world in recent years with filmmaker Jonathan de Jong for the Golden Calf-winning documentary ‘Human Forever’ to see what we can learn from other countries. The film premiered at a G20 summit on dementia, broke all records in the Netherlands, and is now being shown in 22 countries.
Teun Toebes appears in the media, speaks at international conferences, and has previously published the #1 global bestseller ‘VerpleegThuis,’ ‘Een Wereld te Winnen,’ and the documentary ‘Human Forever.’ During our event, Teun will also share his hopeful message for a better future with you!
Workshops
Beyond farming: personal change for system impact
Jessica Peters | Owner Tuinderij Van de Pallande, change manager & coach Cultivating Sustainability and Health
In a world facing complex societal challenges, real change begins with personal transformation. Jessica Peters embodies this shift: after 15 years in the corporate world, she returned to her roots as a farmer to make a deeper impact on landscapes, communities, and food systems. In this dynamic workshop, we will explore how life shift can drive change in food systems. Through short food chains, local collaboration, and innovative farming, you will consider your own journey and role. Together, we will share ideas and uncover how your choices can shape a resilient and inclusive future—beyond farming.
Co-creating the circular water hub – Open innovation in action
Marcel Bogers | Full professor of Open & Collaborative Innovation at TU/e
In this high-energy workshop, inspired by Chesbrough’s open innovation paradigm, we will tap into its power to tackle climate change related to local water management. At the heart of the session is the creation of a Circular Water Hub in the Brainport region—an ambitious project that reimagines how we manage and reuse water in a smarter, more sustainable way.
Focus area: Livable region
Strengthening togetherness: What can you do for your neighborhood?
Folkert Huysinga | Program manager Future Proof Care at Eindhoven Engine
and students
Within Eindhoven Engine we want ensure that every individual receives the care they deserve—both now and in the future. But professional care alone isn’t enough. This interactive workshop you will be invited to test what you can do, even if you might not want to. Join us to reflect, challenge assumptions, and discover new ways to contribute to a more resilient and connected community.
Focus area: Future proof care
Rethinking high-tech – Towards a circular future
Yvonne van Lith | Lecturer in Applied Natural Sciences & Researcher at the Circular Transition Research Group at Fontys University of Applied Sciences
Biljana Pesalj | Lecturer Circular Transitions at Fontys University of Applied Sciences
Arnoud van Osch
The Dutch high-tech industry drives global innovation—but also generates significant waste and pressure on people and the planet. In the next 10–15 years, half of its revenue is expected to come from value chains that don’t yet exist—and these must be sustainable. To achieve this, business as usual won’t work. This workshop explores how we can redesign products and systems with a lifecycle perspective.
Focus area: Sustainable semicon
The power of digital tools
Jessica Goss | Vision leader & product owner Mijke the Chatbot at Eindhoven Engine
Merel Notten | Project- & team coordinator Basic Skills Inclusive Society at Eindhoven Engine
The digital world offers immense opportunities for connection, but it’s also becoming increasingly complex. As technology evolves, a gap emerges, leaving many struggling to fully participate in this digital age. The workshop ‘The power of digital tools’ offers an immersive experience that helps participants understand the impact of limited digital skills and explore digital tools that can bridge the gap.
Focus area: Inclusive society
Program
| 11:30 | Walk-in & grab a sandwich and a drink |
| 12:15 | Welcome | Maarten Steinbuch & Janne Brok Completion Brainport Region Deal |
| 12:25 | Key note Teun Toebes Humanity, inclusion, and changing systems from within |
| 13:10 | Break | Expo |
| 13:20 | Workshops round 1 |
| 14:15 | Looking ahead with Eindhoven Engine | Silvia Lenaerts Rector Magnificus TU Eindhoven Announcement new partners |
| 14:45 | Break | Expo |
| 15:15 | Workshops round 2 |
| 16:00 | Break | Expo |
| 16:15 | Wrap up | visual artists |
| 16:30 | Drinks, bites & networking |
| Program is subject to change |
What else can you expect?
Brainport region deal completion
We mark the successful completion of the Brainport Region Deal. Thanks to this 15 million euro deal we have been able to support 26 promising projects, accelerating their innovations.Discover how these initiatives shape the future of our region.
Hands-on workshops
Step into dynamic, hands-on sessions that challenge the status quo. These workshops are designed to spark fresh thinking and equip you to tackle complex, real-world challenges—head-on. Stay tuned for the full line-up!
Real-world impact
Discover how Eindhoven Engine co-creates solutions with the people who experience the problems firsthand. By leveraging technology as a force for good, we turn bold ideas into meaningful, human-centered change.
Interested in the previous edition of Festival of Disruption? Check it out >>