Rotterdam Square X CIC event

On June 4, 2026, Rotterdam Square and CIC Rotterdam will host an interactive roundtable event for entrepreneurs, innovators, educators, and ecosystem partners. An afternoon focused on meaningful exchange, practical insights, and building stronger connections across the community.

Date: June 4, 2026
Time: 16:30 – 19:30
Location: CIC Rotterdam – Stationsplein 45, 3013 AK, Rotterdam (4th floor).

Would you like to join this event? Use the button above to register. During registration, you need to select two different roundtable topics to join. Each table is guided by a Head of the Table – an expert who helps deepen the discussion and steer the conversation.

Roundtable Topics

Education
Bridging the gap between academia and industry, continuous learning, and specialized skill development.

Led by August Papadopoulos, Director Impact & Engagement at Erasmus University.

This roundtable focuses on how startups and universities can work together to drive innovation and talent development. Topics that can be discussed include how startups can partner with universities to access real-world evidence for regulatory filings, what an effective entrepreneurial fellowship could look like for PhD candidates building a company while completing their research, and how startups can collaborate with students through internships, including both the opportunities and the challenges this brings.

Recruitment
Attracting talent, retention strategies, and building a diverse, mission-driven workforce.

Led by Leon Commissaris, Principal Consultant at Spring Search.

This roundtable focuses on attracting, sourcing, and retaining toptalent in a highly competitive and fast-growing market. It covers the Value Proposition: beyond salary, what is the “hook” that attracts top-tier scientists and engineers in a global talent landscape. It also explores Niche Roles, focusing on how startups can source highly specialized profiles such as Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, and Bioinformatics through unconventional channels. Retention in High-Growth looks at how to maintain a strong culture and keep early-stage talent engaged as the company scales beyond the “honeymoon” phase.

How to Build Your Company
Scaling operations, navigating regulatory hurdles, and securing sustainable funding.

Led by Bart Voorn, one of the founders of Ditto Care; a fast-growing healthcare startup that uses AI to clarify care.

This roundtable explores the balance between Infrastructure and Agility, focusing on when a lean startup should begin transitioning into a more structured organisation. It addresses the challenges of introducing processes, systems, and governance without losing the flexibility and speed that drive early-stage innovation. The discussion looks at how startups can scale responsibly while preserving the mindset and creativity that made them successful in the first place.