Maastricht to Host Big Science Business Forum 2026
Maastricht, Thursday, 2 January 2025.
The Netherlands and Belgium will co-host the Big Science Business Forum 2026 in Maastricht, gathering over 1,000 participants from leading tech firms and research organizations to explore partnerships.
Event Details and Location
The two-day conference is scheduled for October 28-29, 2026, at the MECC in Maastricht [2]. This prestigious European event will bring together representatives from major research organizations and high-tech companies to share knowledge and explore collaborative opportunities in advanced technology development [1][2]. The forum continues its tradition of rotating between European cities, following previous successful editions in Copenhagen (2018), Granada (2022), and Trieste (2024) [2].
Organizational Partnership
The event is being jointly organized by the Dutch network of Industrial Liaison Officers (ILO-net) and Belgium’s technology trade association Agoria [1][2]. Supporting the initiative are key stakeholders including the Dutch and Belgian ministries of Economic Affairs, Education, Culture and Science, the Belgian Science Policy Office, and the Province of Limburg [2]. The ILO-net represents nine national research organizations under the NWO institutes, while Agoria brings together 2,000 technology companies [1].
Strategic Importance
The forum will feature presentations from major European research organizations such as CERN, ESA, ESRF, and Fusion4Energy [1]. These institutions collectively represent billions of euros in investment potential, offering significant opportunities for Dutch and Belgian high-tech businesses [1]. The Netherlands and Belgium already collaborate extensively in various technological fields, including nuclear research, semiconductors, nanotechnology, and photonics, with both countries also pursuing the joint goal of bringing the Einstein Telescope to Limburg [1].
Regional Impact
The successful bid to host BSBF 2026 resulted from collaboration between several regional and national partners, including Klinkhamer | conferences & events, MECC Maastricht, and Maastricht Convention Bureau [2]. The contract was officially signed at MECC Maastricht by Jan Visser, Coordinator for Nikhef Industrial Contacts and ILO-net, and Arjen van Rijn, Nikhef Institute Manager [2]. Further information about registration and the conference program will be available on the official website bsbf2026.org [2].