GREENTECH FESTIVAL SPEAKERS

Jon Goriup is a product-driven startup founder dedicated to developing sustainability-focused solutions.He began his startup career by creating cross-selling solutions for the event industry. After completing his studies at ESADE Business School and the University of North Carolina, he shifted his focus to optimising supply chain systems.In East Africa, Jon worked on enhancing transparency and traceability in agribusiness supply chains, helping connect local producers with European markets.Now, as the co-founder and CEO of VCG.AI, Jon leads an award-winning AI-powered solution for implementing successful circular innovations globally.

Bertram Kawlath, born in 1970, studied history and completed an MBA. He was Managing Director of Eisenwerk Erla GmbH (2004-2010) and Managing Partner of Schubert & Salzer Feinguss Lobenstein GmbH (2010-2023). Since 2004, he has been managing partner of the Schubert & Salzer group. Active in the VDMA, he joined the board of the VDMA Bavaria in 2011, became chairman in 2021, Vice President in 2020, and President in October 2024.

Studium1989-1995: Chemie Studium, TU Braunschweig1995-2000: Promotion, TU BraunschweigBeruflicher Werdegang1999-2000: TU Braunschweig, Lehrstuhl Technologie der Kohlenhydrate 2000-2008: Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg, Qualitätssicherung2008-2014: Volkswagen Argentinien, Pacheco Qualitätssicherung2014-2016: Volkswagen China, Beijing, Qualitätssicherung2016.2020: Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg, Qualitätssicherung2020-heute: Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg, Technische Entwicklung

MBA University of Munich in 1986. Several years with A.T. Kearney in Munich and a south german venture capitalist. Moving to Berlin in 1996 initiated matching forums for innovators (startups) with investors & potential clients. Until now more than 170 forums welcoming appr. 19,000 attendees all over Europe and USA. Focus b2b. In water technologies since 2010 with 30 forums in USA, all over Europe and UAE.

Passionate game changer, entrepreneur, and advisor, Guillaume co-founded We Don’t Need Roads, a global applied sustainable innovation firm dedicated to transforming business in a warming world. His “commando teams” are known for identifying the climate-related business threats, and tackling them with sharp innovation & implementation plans – global sparring partners on topics like raw materials and supply securisation & relocalisation, low carbon & circular supply chains, recyclable & reusable products, legislations & certifications product range compliance, for global brands.

Dr. Seraphine Zhang is the CTO of wempyre, a Berlin-based startup advancing decentralized pyrolysis for plastic waste recycling. She holds a PhD in pyrolysis from ETH Zurich and completed her master’s thesis at UC Berkeley. Her experience spans the chemical industry and sustainability-focused procurement consulting in Saudi Arabia. At wempyre, she leads the development of modular systems that convert plastic waste into hydrogen, syngas, and energy—supporting circular economy goals and reducing emissions through on-site waste valorization.

Dr. Gräter studied biophysical chemistry at the universities of Heidelberg, Padova, and Shanghai, and earned a PhD in nanotechnology. He spent much of his career at BASF in various management roles, including leading the sustainability strategy unit. Since 2019, Dr. Gräter is the Director Group Sustainability at WEPA and Deputy Chairman of the WEPA Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He joined WEPA, driven by his passion for family entrepreneurship and the sustainable transformation potential of the tissue industry.

CEO and Founder WLOUNGE and MAGDA GROUP and a Board Member at the European Innovation Council (EIC) European Commission.’Mali is a serial entrepreneur, impact investor, A key person in shaping the startup ecosystem in Berlin/ Germany & Europe.since December 2023 elected as a board member of the European Innovation Council, EIC, European Commission. An instrumental part of the tech industry connecting together for economic growth and success stories made in Europe.

Moh is Co-Founder & Growth Director at Zebra Growth, a regenerative marketing agency dedicated to scaling impact-driven businesses. With a background in ethical growth hacking, brand strategy, and venture building, Moh helps changemakers position their brands, launch new offerings, and scale with purpose in mind. He blends living systems thinking with marketing innovation to challenge conventional growth paradigms and build a fairer, more regenerative economy.

Hirander Misra is the Chairman and CEO of GMEX Group and ZERO13, a climate fintech platform recognized for pioneering blockchain solutions in sustainability and carbon credits. With over 25 years of expertise, Hirander has driven ZERO13 to win the COP 28 UAE TechSprint for innovative use of blockchain in climate finance. His work has positioned ZERO13 at the forefront of scaling sustainable finance and carbon markets globally. Hirander is also featured in top influencer lists for the UN Sustainable Development Goals and is a regular speaker at major global events like COP28 and the World Economic Forum