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?

three men chatting together in the garden

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

Conversations at the Investor Lounge during TechBBQ

Investors and VCs

Anyone interested in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness