EU|BIC Essentials Deep Dives I: Incubation Services for Circular Economy

Joelle Hajjar, Programmes Manager at EU|BIC Berytech

With more than 12 years in the banking sector, supporting corporations and SMEs, she made a shift in my career in 2021 and joined a leading business incubator in Beirut where she works on programs supporting local and regional start-ups, SMEs and entrepreneurs. At Berytech, she holds the position of Programs Manager in charge of the management of EU funded programs, many of them with a specific focus on circular economy and sustainability. She is also the focal point for women’s entrepreneurship.

Francesca Natali, board member at EU|BIC Associate META Group and Managing Director at Meta Ventures

Francesca is board member at META Group (MG) and Managing Director of META Ventures (MV), the financial company of META Group managing in Italy Poland and Slovenia co-investment risk capital funds. She seats in the board of directors of a number of MV portfolio companies. Francesca carries out training and coaching activities for the benefit of European entrepreneurs, start-ups and research groups to support them in preparing exploitation plans and/or in dealing with potential investors. 

Key Speaker and testimonial at panel discussions on Entrepreneurship, finance and innovation, member of business plan competition in universities in Italy and abroad. She has been member of the screening committee of Women 4 Angels, the leading Italian female business angel club, she is also has been engaged by the European Innovation Council as Jury Member for evaluation of startups and scaleups. 

Maria Myridinas, PhD Candidate at the Paul Scherrer Institut, ETH Zürich
Maria holds master’s degrees in Circular Economy from NTNU, Leiden University, and TU Delft, and in Urban Governance from Sciences Po, Paris. She has also worked as a business developer for three years in Southeast Europe, where she gained invaluable experience understanding and addressing key business challenges. During her work at Leiden University, Maria contributed to the RESOURCE project, employing quantitative methods to assist startups in initiating their circular journeys. Currently a PhD candidate at the Paul Scherrer Institute and ETH Zurich, Maria uses quantitative methods to explore future scenarios of sustainable deployment of carbon dioxide removal technologies. In her free time, Maria hosts a radio show discussing social issues and enjoys exploring nature.

Robert De Jong, Director at EU|BIC Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability  

Robert has over 20 years’ experience leading and developing sustainable innovative programmes for knowledge institutions, commercial real estate, third sector and industry associations. As the Director of the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability at the University of East London, he leads strategic collaboration and co-creation initiatives, ranging from digital innovation, net zero transition for cities and industry, skills and talent pathways through to entrepreneur programmes that deliver impactful outcomes in communities, industries and nature.  

Alongside his role at UEL, Robert is a Net Zero Cities advisor for Climate KIC and their European Net Zero Cities programme while prior to joining UEL Robert’s career ranged from, co-founding a start-up delivering net zero supply chains and a national programme director in the UK and Netherlands for the Urban Land Institute, delivering sustainable communities across the built environment globally. A key thread throughout his career is developing collaboration to create a step change where people and organisations actively deliver sustainable impacts that positively influence wider society, culture and the environment. 

Homero Cardoso, Project Manager at EU|BIC TAGUSVALLEY 

Homero is the coordinator of the Technological and Sientific Competences Promotion Unit at TAGUSVALLEY with expertise in project management. He has Project Management and Team coordination experience in areas of Entrepreneurship, Business Acceleration, Circular Economy and Digital Literacy. Homero owes a degree in Chemical Engineering with a post-graduation in Accredited Laboratories Management, he is Certified Business Mentor by Fundación para el Conocimiento madri+d, Regional incubator network (RIERC) executive committee member and EBN Quality Mark Auditor. Homero is the Chair for Circular Economy of EBN Special Interest Group on Agrifood, Sustainability and Health. 

Ilze Eglāj, Head of the Board of EU|BIC Associate Valmiera Development Agency 

Ilze Eglaja is a Head of the Board of Valmiera Development Agency, a Latvian regional NGO that initiates and implements projects and initiatives fostering a dynamic business environment, digitalisation, circular maker movement, social entrepreneurship, career development support and youth entrepreneurship. With 15+ years of business support experience, Ilze is a coach and mentor for start-ups and student companies. Ten years ago, Ilze established Aspired Ltd, a tech company. Currently, with 20 years of experience in attracting EU funding, Ilze focuses more on regional community development projects. Ilze devotes her free time to her family and the Valmiera Baptist Church, where she is the Head of the Board and a Member of the Council. 

Apostolos C. Tsolakis, MEng, PhD, Senior Project Manager at EU|BIC Associate Q-PLAN International 

Apostolos C. Tsolakis holds a Master and a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering. His professional experience encompasses years of experience with a highly diverse scientific and commercial background. Currently, he is affiliated with Q-PLAN INTERNATIONAL as a Project Manager. He coordinates and works alongside a multidisciplinary team of dedicated researchers and consultants towards meeting industrial and societal challenges under European Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation (R&I), all while also serving as Project Manager in strategic R&I projects. Over the last three years, he had the opportunity to actively engage with innovation ecosystems, extending from space applications (InnORBIT project) to circular economy acceleration programmes and ventures (Pop-Machina project), gaining valuable insights on sustainable business support services and circular social innovation endeavours.