The Policy Lounge
at TechBBQ
Where policy meets innovation
For the first time ever, Danish Entrepreneurs and TechBBQ were proud to introduce the Policy Lounge – a dedicated space for high-level dialogue at the intersection of entrepreneurship, politics, and innovation.
Held on August 27, 2025, in the heart of TechBBQ, the Policy Lounge brought together startup founders, investors, policymakers, and EU decision-makers to tackle some of Europe’s most pressing questions:
– How do we strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness?
– What role should regulation play in supporting startups and scaleups?
– How can we close the innovation gap and unlock access to capital?
Why attend & what to expect?
Whether you’re a policymaker, founder, ecosystem builder, or investor, the Policy Lounge offers a unique chance to be part of the conversations shaping Europe’s future.
This year’s edition featured a full-day program of:
Panel discussions on European tech policy, competitiveness, AI, regulation, and more
Fireside chats with ministers, MEPs, and scaleup leaders
New data and insights into the startup landscape
Cross-sector networking in an exclusive setting
Speakers
Caroline Stage
Danish Minister for Digitalization
Marie Bjerre
Minister for European Affairs
Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil (S)
Lead candidate for Lord Mayor of Copenhagen
Line Barfod (Ø)
Technical and Environmental Mayor of Copenhagen
Jakob Næsager (C)
Mayor of Children and Youth in Copenhagen
Jens Kristian Lütken (V)
Mayor for Employment and Integration in Copenhagen
Christopher Røhl (B)
Member of the Copenhagen City Council
Kira Marie Peter-Hansen
Member of the European Parliament, Green/EFA
Morten Løkkegaard
Member of the European Parliament, Renew
Simon Schaefer
Founder EU ink and President, Allied for Startups
Niels-Flemming Hansen
Member of the European Parliament, EPP
Arba Kokalari
Member of the European Parliament, EPP
Peter van Sabben
CMO, Dealroom
Samantha Niblett
Member, British Labour Party
Gulfem Toygar
Country Manager SWE & EU Export/Expansion, Amazon
Frederikke Antonie Schmidt
Founder, Roccamore
Kasia Piaseck
Founder & Managing Director of European Women in VC
Carolina Rossi
Head of Network & Strategic Initiatives at Europe Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA)
Karin Ebbinghaus
CEO and Co-founder, Elonroad
João Silva
Head of Data & Tech and Public Policies, Startup Portugal
Arthur Casper Storm Teglbjærre
CEO & Co-founder, Spaak
Stina Lantz
CEO, Swedish Incubators & Science Parks
Lucien Burm
President Dutch Startup Association, Board Allied for Startups
Veronica D'Souza
Award-winning Leader and Speaker
Mia Wagner
Mentor and investor
Joakim Brunchmann
CEO and co-founder Pluto.markets
Livia Dolle
Tech entrepreneur and Investor
Kasper Simonsen
Founder, wayfare.ai & Manager, BASE life science
This Event is for
Policy Makers
Founders, startups
Investors and VCs
