• AVF Summit 2025
  • Sep 03-04 2025
  • 81245 München , Germany
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Tickets

Global Food Challenges: Vertical Farming as a Catalyst for Innovation & Climate Action

Wednesday Sep 3rd

Pillar I: International Perspectives: Exploring Global Trends, Policies and Success Stories
9:00
Registration
Registration
10:00- 10:15
Presentation
Welcome

Christine Zimmermann-Loessl, Chairwoman Association for Vertical Farming e.V.

10:15 - 10:35
Keynotes
“From Global to Local: Drivers and Solutions to address Food Security in a Changing Climate”.

by Julia Rocha Romero, Advisor - Nature-based Solutions
UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre

10:35 - 10:45
Presentation
Success Stories from Around the World: Ontario Canada

by Fadi AlDaoud

10:45 - 11:00
Presentation
Success Stories from Around the World: Norway, Avisomo

by Endre Harnes

11:00 - 11:20
Break
Coffee Break
11:20 - 11:40
Panel
AgTech Innovation for Food Security in MENA

by Fadi Sbaiti, CEAo AgX Abu Dhabi, Joel Cuello

11:40 - 12:00
Fire side chat
Achieving sustainable profitabilty in Vertical Farming

by Prof. Joel Cuello, Arizona University USA

12:00 - 13:00
Panel
Women in Ag Tech: Sharing experience and guidance

by Tusya Garibashvili, Marie Amman, Besan Dahboor Engel, Laura Nelson

13:00 - 14:00
Break
Lunch
Pillar II: Vertical Farming – A Catalyst for Climate Action
14:00 - 14:20
Keynote
Can Vertical Farming Be Part of the Solution?

by Silvana Nicola,  University of Turino

14:20 - 14:40
Presentation
Energiy Efficiency for Vertical Farming -a game changer for the world and for your investment

by Martin Parapatits, Zelosplant Indoor Solutions GmbH

14:40 - 15:10
Panel
How can vertical farming reduce its carbon footprint?

By Martin Parapatits, Prof. Silvana Nicola, Susanna Lössl

15:10 - 15:30
Break
Coffee Break and Networking
Bavarian Voices in Global AgTech
15:30 - 15:40
Welcome words
Bavarian Innovation in Agricultur

by Stateminister for Economics Hubert Aiwanger

15:40 - 15:55
Presentation
Wheat and Soyabean in CEA

by Prof. Senthold Asseng, Technical University of Munich (TUM)

15:55- 16:05
Presentation
Bavarian Initatives for Vertical Farming

by Andrea Kienle, Bayerische Landesanstalt für Weinbau und Gartenbau
(LWG), Institut für Erwerbs- und Freizeitgartenbau

16:05- 16:15
Presentation
European research funding for solutions in agriculture and food

by Susanne Hirschmann, Bavarian Research Alliance (Bayfor)

16:20- 17:20
Workshop

Hands-on deep dive into European funding opportunities beyond Horizon Europe

by Nivedita Mahida-Königsdörfer u. Susanne Hirschmann, Bavarian Research Alliance (Bayfor)

Participants will be introduced to additional relevant programs and guided through the key elements of writing a strong, competitive funding proposal. Using real-life examples, the session will highlight success factors for impactful and collaborative project applications. The goal is to empower participants to navigate the funding landscape and turn innovative ideas into well-structured proposals.”

Pillar III: Innovative Food Production and Investment
16:20 - 16:35
Presentation
Microalgae Production and Innovative Products 

Alessandro Oliveri, CEO Igrox SRL; RENEWE Co-founder

16:35 - 16:50
Presentation
Industrial Insect Farming and Regional Integaration

Andreas Koeck, entoSOLUTIONS GmbH

16:50 - 17:05
Presentation
From Stress to Success: Kelp-derived Biostimulants for higher Yield and Efficiency in Vertical farming or Improving Yield and Reducing light dependence in Vertical Farming with Kelp-Based Biostimulants

Hannah Marie Hoven, Kelpinor AS

17:05 - 17:35
Panel
Investment in the Future of Food: Navigating Growth & Scale

Baywa, (AgFUnder) Marie Ammann, Johann Waldherr Würth, Michael Schmidt, UNIDO

17:40
Q+A
Closing Remarks

Christine Zimmermann-Loessl, Joel Cuello

Thursday Sep 4th

Pillar IV: Urban Food Systems: Cities as Innovation Hubs for Sustainable Farming
9:00 - 10:00
Presentation
Overview of Sustainable City Food Network
Project / City Speaker Organization
ICLEI CityFood - food resilience through urban-rural synergies Peter Defranceschi ICLEI
City of Madrid Marcos Enriquez Isifarmer
City of Singapore Mandar Godge GRAIN
City of Stirling: Farm Alloa – bringing vertical growing to a local community Prof. Rachel Norman Sterling University
Why Modular Hydroponic Farms = Smart Farming for Smart Cities Besan Dahboor Engel ReVora
10:00 - 11:00
Panel
A roadmap to vertical farming for cities

by Peter Defranceschi, Marcos Enriquez, Mandar Godge,  Prof.Rachel Norman

10:00 - 11:30
WORKSHOP
Innovative Approaches for High-Value Crops
Facilitators: Eleonora Itri & Sabine Wittmann & colleagues (HSWT)
11:00 - 11:15
Break
Coffee break
Pillar V
11:15-13:00
Pitches
10 Start up pitches

Pitches and Jury Questions

12:45
Pitches
Award Announcement
13:00 - 14:00
Break
Lunch break
Pillar VI: Science and Technology as a Driver for Innovation
14:00.-14:25
Keynote
Microbiome diversity and adaptations in hydroponic setups.

Michal Slota, Content Farmers

14:25-14:45
Presentation
AI for Vertical Farming! Do we need it?

Prof.Joel Cuello, Arizona University

14:45 - 15:10
Presentation
Root health in Vertical Farming

R.Bott, Vertical Farm Tech

15:10 - 15:30
Break
Coffee Networking Break
15:10-15:30
ROUNDTABLE
Introducing the GROWvertical Network.

by Dr.Enrico Erhardt GmBU

15:30 - 15:50
Presentation
Retrofitting the Future: Smarter Farms Without Starting Over

Alex Jaworski, Greenhub Solutions

16:00-16:20
Presentation
Digital Twins in Vertical Farming

Prof.S Streif, TU Chemnitz