Driving innovation, partnerships, and circular solutions.
From May 22nd to May 23rd 2025, the platformOS team attended theNTWK Ecosystem Summit held at the iconic Port de Barcelona.
The event brought together diverse minds, including experienced industry leaders, start-ups, scale-ups, inspiring speakers, and motivated students, all united by the common goal of innovating and collaborating toward sustainable, circular solutions.
The summit began with compelling presentations and insightful panel discussions. Natalia Olson-Urtecho kicked off the event with a captivating talk on AI, smart city data, and regulatory frameworks, emphasizing the importance of aligning technology with government policy. The conversation also touched on the contrast between US-style unicorn ambitions and the European context, where building smaller, more profitable, and socially responsible businesses is not only realistic but also often more aligned with the region's regulatory landscape and societal values.
Mercedes Gutiérrez from IKEA discussed the company’s secondhand marketplace, illustrating how incorporating resellers can broaden customer bases and enhance sustainability, a topic particularly close to platformOS’s mission to unify fragmented marketplaces and build ecosystems.
Ben Whitaker and Joanna Louise Lambert shared valuable insights on resale in the fashion industry, discussing the challenges and critical importance of having the right digital infrastructure to adopt circular business models successfully.
Noemí Moya and Ignacio “Nacho” Merelo engaged attendees with an inspiring panel discussion on driving innovation and sustainable growth across Europe, emphasizing the importance of collaborative progress, a fundamental value shared by platformOS.
Daniel Trabucchi and Tommaso Buganza from Politecnico di Milano delivered a strategic masterclass on “Platform Thinking,” emphasizing that platforms are not merely technological infrastructures but essential solutions to broader business challenges.
Maria Salamero Sansalvadó’s presentation on Steel-as-a-Service highlighted how heavy industries can successfully integrate circular economy principles.
Stephan Sattler presented valuable insights on digital product passports, emphasizing the critical role of robust digital infrastructures for compliance with EU regulations.
Bettina Rotermund of Siemens Xcelerator clearly differentiated between generative AI and industrial AI, highlighting industrial AI’s potential for scalable, practical solutions.
Álex Turpin Avilés from AstraZeneca explored the transformative role of AI in healthcare ecosystems, providing a deep dive into how advanced technologies shape the patient journey and data management.
Pierre Armengaud, Sönke Petersen, and Àlex Jiménez Higueras shared insightful perspectives in their panel on AI-enabled circular business, highlighting how AI is driving smarter, more scalable sustainability solutions across various industries.
The day concluded with a powerful panel featuring Tania Asa, Helena Torras, Anna Hortet Massa, Ana Diez de la Fuente, and Alicia Palanques Espinàs, who spotlighted women driving innovation and partnerships globally, reinforcing the importance of diversity and collaboration.
Day 2 was dedicated to networking and discovering innovative start-ups presenting their digital circular solutions. Attendees connected with high-growth ventures tackling critical sustainability and responsible AI challenges, exchanging valuable insights with industry leaders. Discussions emphasized how collaboration, sustainability, and responsible AI fuel innovation, providing essential insights into growth and scaling for disruptive businesses.
In parallel, Catherine Schoendorff and Gemma Verhoeven from The Value Department led a dynamic circularity workshop. The masterclass explored the nuances of the circular economy, focusing on transforming traditional business models for profitability and sustainability. Participants gained actionable tools to rethink their value journeys, positioning their organizations for sustainable long-term growth.
TheNTWK Summit was a powerful reminder that meaningful innovation thrives on diverse collaboration. At platformOS, we are proud to contribute to circularity, platforms, and digital ecosystems by providing robust and flexible business solutions that scale sustainably.
We extend our sincere gratitude to theNTWK team, speakers, and everyone who made this event exceptional. We look forward to continuing these conversations, collaborations, and collective progress towards a more innovative and circular future.
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