Netherlands Atlantic Association(Atlantische Commissie) – The NATO Innovation Fund

Shaping the future of warfare?

The headquarters of NATO’s Innovation Fund (NIF), a multi-sovereign capital fund to stimulate the development of emerging technologies in security and defence, will be situated in the Netherlands. What difference can such technologies make in the future of warfare, and how will the NIF help safeguard the military alliance? How to ensure that new technologies are developed responsibly, with an eye for bias and ethical concerns? And what can the Fund do for companies in the deep-tech sector? We invite you to join us for a lunchtime discussion on 14 June, with David van Weel (Assistant Secretary General, NATO), Maurice van Tilburg (Techleap) and Agnes Venema (security policy expert and researcher at DCAF). The event will be moderated by geopolitical analyst Alex Krijger (Krijger & Partners).

This event is being organized in association with The American Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands.

We have reached the maximum number of participants for this event. You can still register using the form below, but note that you will be placed on a waiting list.

Date: 14 June

Time:

11:45 – 12:30 | Doors open and lunch

12:30 – 14:00 | Event

Location: Nieuwspoort, The Hague

Language: English

Speakers

David van Weel

David van Weel is Assistant Secretary General Emerging Security Challenges at NATO. Van Weel started at the Royal Netherlands Navy and continued his administrative career at The Netherlands Ministry of Defense. He served as the Chief of Cabinet for the Minister of Defense and Permanent Secretary. He later became Director for International Affairs and Operations/Policy Director. Prior to joining NATO, he worked as a Foreign Policy and Defense Advisor for Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

As Assistant Secretary General, Van Weel serves as the primary advisor to the NATO Secretary General in the field of emerging security challenges and their implications for NATO’s security. Furthermore, he also directs and manages the Emerging Security Challenges Division, which focuses on disruptive technologies, cyber, hybrid threats, and data policy.

Maurice van Tilburg

Maurice van Tilburg is Managing Director and Domain Leader Capital at Techleap. With a background in information technology and IT auditing and over 20 years of experience in the stock market, Van Tilburg served as CEO of Euronext Amsterdam until 2020.

Working with the Techleap team, he helps Dutch tech startups in hiring, raising capital, and expanding internationally by supporting them with connections and knowledge. The goal of the organization is to create a better investment climate and a thriving Dutch tech ecosystem that is capable of and positioned to growth.

Agnes Venema

Agnes Venema is an intelligence and national security researcher with expertise on the intersection of security, technology and law. She is currently investigating the emergence of disruptive technologies, such as AI and Machine Learning, and the legal implications of the use of these technologies in society. She also works as Senior Policy Officer for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Malta, with a focus on rule of law and security.

Venema’s knowledge is derived from a decade of experience working on various international security issues. She holds degrees in Human Rights and Criminal Justice, as well as Liberal Arts and Sciences. Her recent projects focus on deepfakes, foresight and hybrid threats, and the use of technology for the identification of people in counter-terrorism efforts.

Alex Krijger

Alex Krijger is a geopolitical analyst and public commentator. With a background in History and International Relations he has more than 20 years of international experience in helping businesses manage international government affairs and mapping geopolitical risks. His experience comes from his extensive works in both business and politics.

Currently, Krijger is Founder and Managing Partner of his company Krijger & Partners – which helps businesses navigate emerging geopolitical challenges and supports them in advocacy, government affairs and stakeholder management. Alex will be the moderator of our event.

Registration

We have reached the maximum number of participants for this event. You can still register using the link, but note that you will be placed on a waiting list.