Theme: Connecting Talent, Business and Innovation: The Next Phase of India–EU Cooperation
🗓 Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026
⏰ Time: 14.30-18.30 hrs CET
(Program starts promptly at 15.00 hrs, followed by ample networking opportunities)
🏢 Venue: Fontys University of Applied Sciences
🔗 Registration: https://nicct.nl/events/nibm-events/registration/
Subject: Special Second Edition of NIBM 2026 | 4 November 2026
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Following the strong interest in this year’s Netherlands–India Business Meet, it is our great pleasure to invite you to a special second edition of NIBM in 2026, featuring a new and equally timely theme.
The event will take place on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at Fontys University of Applied Sciences in Eindhoven.
Under the theme “Connecting Talent, Business and Innovation – The Next Phase of India–EU Cooperation”, NIBM 2026 will explore how India, the Netherlands and Europe can work together to strengthen competitiveness, develop future-ready talent and unlock new opportunities for business and innovation.
With artificial intelligence accelerating transformation across all industries, the event will place particular emphasis on the evolving relationship between technology, talent and business leadership. Discussions will address how businesses, governments, educational institutions and regional ecosystems can prepare for the future through lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling, vocational and higher education, future skills and responsible innovation.
The programme will bring together an inspiring mix of government representatives, ambassadors, business and technology leaders, educational institutions, regional development organisations and young professionals, creating a platform for dialogue across sectors and generations.
What to expect
• High-level dialogues on the future of India–EU cooperation and the role of regional ecosystems;
• Perspectives from government, business and industry leaders on talent, innovation and competitiveness;
• Insights into AI and the future of work, including lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling;
• Practical perspectives on trade, investment, technology and innovation opportunities between India and Europe;
• Interactive discussions;
• Extensive networking opportunities with stakeholders active across the India–Netherlands and wider India–EU corridor.
Further details about the programme and speaker line-up are shown below.
Admission
NICCT members: complimentary admission, including one guest
Non-members: €125, excluding VAT
Please save the date.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to Fontys in Eindhoven on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
Please come back after 4th of November 2026.
NIBM 2026
Theme: Connecting Talent, Business and Innovation: The Next Phase of India–EU Cooperation
The relationship between India and Europe is entering a new phase.
Economic cooperation is no longer defined by trade and investment alone. Access to talent, technological capability, innovation ecosystems and the ability to continuously develop new skills are increasingly determining where companies invest, how they grow and how successfully they compete.
At the same time, Artificial Intelligence is accelerating this transformation. AI is changing not only how businesses operate, but also the skills they require, the jobs they create, the way people learn and the way organisations need to lead.
Against this background, the Netherlands India Business Meet 2026 (NIBM 2026) brings together government, business, education and innovation leaders to explore one central question:
How can India and Europe combine their respective strengths in talent, technology, education and entrepreneurship to build the workforce and businesses of the future?
Hosted in Eindhoven, at the heart of one of Europe’s leading technology and innovation ecosystems, NIBM 2026 will focus particularly on the connection between talent, lifelong learning, technological innovation and business growth.
Why this matters now
Technology is developing faster than traditional education and employment models can adapt.
For companies, attracting qualified people is no longer enough. Skills need to be continuously developed throughout a career. Employees will increasingly need to upskill, reskill and sometimes acquire entirely new capabilities as AI and other technologies reshape existing roles.
This makes lifelong learning a strategic business issue rather than solely an educational one.
The challenge is particularly relevant to the India–Europe relationship. India has one of the world’s largest and youngest talent pools and a rapidly developing technology and innovation ecosystem. Europe combines advanced industries, research capabilities, established vocational and higher-education systems and sophisticated innovation clusters. Connecting these strengths creates significant opportunities — but also raises important questions about skills, mobility, education, regulation, leadership and the future organisation of work.
NIBM 2026 will examine these questions from three complementary perspectives.
PROGRAM
14.30-15.00 Registration
Informal networking
Program moderator:
Vidhya Sampath – NICCT VP Programs and Liaison to Advisory Board – Senior Director Corporate Affairs & External Relations – Tata Consultancy Services – Moderator at NIBM 2026
Opening Session
Start Program – Screening of short video of/with Fontys Students (2-3 min)
15.00-15.05 Welcome by Ralph van Disseldorp, MSc – Managing Director Fontys Business Eindhoven
15.05-15.10 Welcome by Edith Nordmann – Chairman NICCT
A Governmental Leadership Perspective
Building the conditions for talent, innovation and cooperation
Governments and regions play an essential role in creating the conditions in which talent and innovation can flourish.
The opening session will bring together governmental, diplomatic and regional representatives to consider how India, the Netherlands and the wider European Union can strengthen cooperation around talent, technology and innovation.
The discussion will explore questions including:
*How can governments facilitate the movement and development of talent while simultaneously strengthening local labour markets?
*How can education, vocational training and lifelong learning become more closely connected to rapidly changing business needs?
*What role should governments play in preparing societies and labour markets for AI-driven transformation?
*How can regional innovation ecosystems such as Brainport Eindhoven connect more effectively with India’s technology and talent ecosystems?
*How can India–EU cooperation move from individual initiatives towards sustainable partnerships between government, knowledge institutions and business?
The objective is not simply to discuss labour shortages or talent mobility, but to consider the broader ecosystem required to develop the skills, innovation capacity and economic resilience needed for the next generation of India–European cooperation.
15.10-16.00 (50 Minutes) In Conversation With:
* H.E. Mr. Kumar Tuhin – Ambassador of India to The Netherlands (tbc)
* Tijs van Balen – Deputy Head of Economic Affairs at the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in INdia (online)
* Jeroen Dijsselbloem – Mayor Municipality Eindhoven
* Daan de Cloe – Managing Director International Business and Member MT – Brabants Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij (BOM)
*Jaapjan Zuidema – Member Executive Board – Fontys University of Applied Sciences
Keynote Address
AI, entrepreneurship and the changing organisation
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly moving from experimentation to implementation.
For businesses, the question is therefore shifting from “What can AI do?” to “How should we organise our companies, people and skills in an AI-enabled economy?”
The keynote conversation will explore how technology is changing entrepreneurship, organisational structures, productivity and international growth.
It will also consider a fundamental question for business leaders: as technology becomes increasingly capable, which human capabilities become more — rather than less — important?
Creativity, judgement, adaptability, ethical decision-making, collaboration and leadership may become some of the defining competitive skills of the AI era.
16.00-16.30 (30 min) In conversation with:
Sridhar Iyengar – CEO, Europe – Zoho
16.30-16.35 Pitch 1 – Ishaan Mahashabde – CEO & Co-Founder – AGMAH
16.35-16.45 Performance by Natanam Academy of Dance and Arts
16.45-17.10 Break
Informal networking for participants
17.10-17.15 Pitch 2 – Varada Nama – Managing Partner & Co-Founder – Airopa
A Business Leadership Perspective
From workforce planning to lifelong learning
The final substantive session turns to the practical implications for business.
The traditional model of education followed by a largely linear professional career is rapidly becoming outdated. Learning increasingly becomes a continuous cycle throughout working life:
Learn → Work → Upskill → Reskill → Adapt → Learn again.
This development has significant implications for employers.
Companies will need to think differently about recruitment, retention and workforce development. The ability to develop existing employees may become just as important as the ability to recruit new ones.
The discussion will therefore explore:
*Which skills will businesses need in an AI-enabled economy?
*How do companies identify the skills they will require five or ten years from now?
*How can vocational education, universities and businesses work together more effectively?
*How can companies successfully upskill and reskill existing employees?
*What role can lifelong learning play in employee retention and organisational resilience?
*How do businesses combine technological capability with human judgement and responsible leadership?
*What can India and Europe learn from each other’s approaches to technology, education and talent development?
The objective is to move beyond predicting the “future of work” and instead discuss how organisations can actively build the workforce of the future.
17.15-17.45 (30 Minutes) In conversation with:
* Mr. Dr. Bart F.W. Wernaart – Leading Lector CoE-SCT & Lector Moral Design Strategy Fontys
* Wesley Crock – Senior Manager Public Affairs – ASML
* Kavitha Varathan – Founder & Managing Director – Expat Spouses Initiative
17.45-17.55 “Theme for nominee session” – Pitch 3
Audience Voting Award
17.55-18.03 Tabla Performance by ir. Sarthak Shirke
18.03-18.08 Wrap up
18.08-18.30 Informal networking with drinks and snacks
We are actively preparing an exceptional program for you.
Below, you will find the speaker profiles we have received so far, introducing the distinguished experts and professionals who will be sharing their knowledge and insights with you.
Stay tuned as we continue to bring together an inspiring line-up of speakers!
The day moderator for the 4th of November 2026:
Vidhya Sampath – NICCT VP Programs and Liaison to Advisory Board – Senior Director Corporate Affairs & External Relations – Tata Consultancy Services – Moderator at NIBM 2026
Vidhya Sampath serves as the head of Corporate and European Affairs for Tata Consultancy Services across TCS’ European operations. Prior to this she served as the Director External Relations for Europe and as the Marketing Head for TCS Benelux, a period that saw exceptionally fast growth for TCS.
Vidhya has served as the Director of the Europe India Institute at Nyenrode Business University and initiated the Netherlands India Institute.
As a private consultant she advised several major corporates and public institutions in Europe on business collaboration with India and has orchestrated several high-level missions to India.
Vidhya serves presently as a Vice President on the board of the Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade and is on the advisory Board to the Europe India Chamber of Commerce.
Vidhya holds a Bachelors degree in Architecture (cum laude), a Masters degree in Urban development and Housing Studies and a MBA from the Rotterdam School of Management. Vidhya is a fully certified yoga teacher and enjoys teaching and practicing yoga on a daily basis.
Our confirmed speakers (in the flow of the program):
Opening Session:
Ralph van Disseldorp, Msc – Managing Director Fontys Business Eindhoven
Ralph van Disseldorp is Managing Director of the Business Institute Eindhoven, where he works at the intersection of education, innovation, and international business development. Based in the Brainport Eindhoven region, he is committed to strengthening connections between industry, higher education, and global partners to prepare talent and organizations for an increasingly international and technology-driven economy.
Drawing on his experience in building strategic collaborations and fostering international engagement, Ralph brings a practical perspective on how regions can thrive through cross-border partnerships, innovation ecosystems, and talent development. During this session, he will share insights into the opportunities and challenges of international business within the dynamic Brainport environment.
Edith Nordmann – Chairman NICCT & Managing Partner ACG International
Edith Nordmann LL.M. is Chairman of the Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade (NICCT) and Managing Partner at ACG International, a corporate law firm based in Amsterdam.
She is an expert in employment law and a seasoned corporate and commercial litigator, representing both companies and individuals in complex legal matters. Her practice includes cross-border transactions, contract disputes, and national and international litigation. As a certified mediator and arbitrator, she also assists clients in resolving disputes amicably and efficiently.
Fluent in German (native), English, Dutch, French, and Italian, Edith bridges not only language but also cultural and legal differences—placing her in a unique position to navigate cross-border challenges.
Edith is set on sharing her knowledge and empowering the young generations of professionals by way of mentoring and giving guest-lectures at universities across Europe and India. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded an honorary doctorate (Dr. h.c.). She is currently a member of the B20 Task Force under the G20 Presidency of South Africa in 2025, continuing her active engagement following previous roles in the B20 Task Forces under India and Brazil’s G20 Presidencies.
Alongside her legal and policy work, Edith is committed to social impact and lends her expertise to various charitable and professional organizations, using her voice to empower others and promote meaningful change.
Speakers in the Governmental Perspective Session:
Daan de Cloe, MSC, MBA– Managing Director International Business – Brabant Development Agency (BOM)
Daan de Cloe is currently Managing Director at the Brabant Development Agency (BOM), responsible
for International Business, Foreign Investments & International Trade, and holds various advisory and supervisory positions.
Daan has extensive experience in technological innovation, business development and international
collaboration, and has a strong network in the national and international high-tech sector. De Cloe has
held various executive positions at Sioux Technologies and TNO, among others, and has been the
entrepreneurial founder and partner of multiple companies. The Brabant native holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and an Executive Master of Business Administration.
A Business Leadership Perspective – in conversation with:
Bart Wernaart (LL.M., PhD) – Professor Moral Design Strategy, Chair COE Sustainable and Circular Transitions, Head of Research Fontys Business and Communication – Fontys
Bart Wernaart is professor Moral Design Strategy and chair of the Center of Expertise for Sustainable and Circular Transitions for Fontys University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands. He is author in the field of international human rights law, moral design and (business) ethics. He is also a member of the ethics committee for the Brabant city region. Next to his academic career, he is a professional drummer, conductor and composer.
Wesley Crock – Senior Manager Public Affairs – ASML
Wesley Crock is Senior Manager Public Affairs at ASML, working at the intersection of the semiconductor industry, government and education. Building on his previous role leading ASML’s global university relations activities, his experience focuses on semiconductor talent, STEM education and partnerships between industry and higher-education institutions. He brings an ecosystem perspective to Europe’s semiconductor talent challenge and the opportunities for stronger international collaboration, including partnerships with India’s education and talent ecosystem. Before joining ASML, Wesley served as Diretor Education at an innovation agency of the European Commission, where he worked on European education and innovation initiatives bringing together higher education, research and industry. Earlier in his career, he worked at the United Nations, contributing to work in the environmental sustainability and human-security field.
Kavitha Varathan – Founder & Managing Director – Expat Spouses Initiative
Kavitha Varathan is the Founder and Managing Director of Expat Spouses Initiative (ESI), a grassroots social enterprise advancing the professional integration of international talent already living in the Netherlands. ESI’s work grew from a close understanding of the challenges accompanying partners can face when building careers in a new country, and has since expanded to support a broader community of international professionals, including students and highly skilled migrants seeking new opportunities.
ESI connects a community of more than 5,000 international professionals with employers and regional stakeholders. Its work is centered in the Brainport Eindhoven region, with programs and partnerships in Breda, West Brabant, and Almere, Flevoland.
Our Start-up & Scale up Nominees:
Company Profile – AGMAH
AGMAH is an AI-powered industrial automation and robotics company that makes existing factories smarter without the cost and complexity of replacing machines or reprogramming PLCs. Its ecosystem connects machines across brands, transforming fragmented factory data into real-time visibility, remote control, and actionable insights. With its proprietary ‘Smart Node’ hardware and ‘Smart Supervisor’ platform, manufacturers can reduce downtime, optimise production, and increase productivity while building a scalable foundation for Industry 5.0.
Ishaan Mahashabde – CEO & Co-founder – AGMAH, an AI-powered industrial automation company focused on making existing factories smarter. A TU/e alumnus, he brings several years of experience in the mechanical and automation field, combining technical expertise with a vision to make smart manufacturing more accessible to industries.
Company Profile – Airopa Global
Airopa Global is the Eindhoven-based partner that brings revenue access and talent access together in the India-Europe corridor. Through Market Access 360, we take companies into new markets end to end: market intelligence, legal, financial and tax, business development as a service, distribution, and ecosystem access. We wear our clients’ brand at events and conferences, with a dedicated team accountable for every account. European companies also build their own permanent teams in India within 100 days. Our AI engines turn months of diligence into board-ready answers in minutes. Built for mid-sized companies. Grow together.
Varada Nama, Managing Partner & Co-Founder, Airopa Global
Varada is a former executive who led strategy and transformation at Philips and Nike during 19 years in Europe. He set up multiple teams in India, the US and Belgium and matured them into core capability teams for the enterprise. At Airopa, he brings that practitioner experience to companies on both sides of the India-Europe corridor.
Our Performers:
Shyama Warrier – Natanam Academy of Dance and Arts
Established in 2015 with humble beginnings, Natanam Academy has flourished into a renowned institution with two branches located in Amstelveen and Eindhoven training around 200 students. Our academy is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of classical Indian dance forms, specifically Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam, in an authentic and structured manner.
Led by our qualified postgraduate teacher, Shyama Warrier, we provide comprehensive training encompassing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Our Bharatanatyam program is meticulously designed to guide students through eight grades, culminating in the achievement of a diploma.
ir. Sarthak Shirke – Tabla Performance
Sarthak Shirke, originally from Mumbai, India, is currently based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. He works as a Robotics and Automation Engineer at Schunk Group Technology, where he focuses on developing innovative plant automation solutions to enhance operational reliability, precision, and efficiency in semiconductor domain.
Beyond his engineering career, Sarthak is a passionate and dedicated Tabla player who has been immersed in Indian classical music since childhood. His musical journey continues to evolve under the guidance of renowned Tabla maestros Prasad Padhye and Savani Talwalkar, whose mentorship has helped him deepen his understanding and refine his artistry.
Balancing his passion for engineering and music, Sarthak continues to explore the intersection of technical innovation, creativity, and the rich traditions of Indian classical music.
Please click here to see with whom you will be able to connect during the NIBM:
Deelnemerslijst NIBM Eindhoven 2026 (voor op website 20.10.2026)