The Value Engineers (TVE) and Fraunhofer IESE and partners have organized a one-day business conference on the implication of digital business ecosystems for companies. What is the impact of decentralization, the circular economy, and AI on your ecosystem? What is the role of platforms?
This conference brings together the latest and greatest insights in ecosystem strategy and business modeling. Meet the thought leaders in ecosystem strategy. Meet the thought leaders, gain new insights. Lean about new practices. Register online.
More information at The Value Engineers website
People@Places, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Always wanted to know the implication of digital business ecosystems for your company? What is the impact of decentralization, the circular economy, and AI on your ecosystem? What is the role of platforms?
The conference on Digital Business Ecosystems brings together the latest and greatest insights in ecosystem strategy and business modeling. Meet the thought leaders in ecosystem strategy. Meet the thought leaders, gain new insights. Lean about new practices.
DBE25 is knowledge partner of the Digital Architects Network.
Program of the day 20th February 2025
| 09:30 | Room is open | |
| 10:00 | Introduction: DBE 25 | Jaap Gordijn (VU/TVE) |
| 10:15 | Business model patterns | Roel Wieringa, TVE |
| 10:45 | Break | |
| 11:00 | Parallel workshops: TED & e3value | Nedo Bartels (Fraunhofer IESE) & Jaap Gordijn (VU/TVE) |
| 12:30 | Lunch break | |
| 13:00 | Collaborative sustainable business modeling | Frank Berkers, TNO/Hogeschool Rotterdam |
| 13:45 | Serious Games as Tools for Business Ecosystem Design | Austin DSouza, Hanze Hogeschool |
| 14:30 | Break | |
| 14:45 | AI ecosystems | Joost Schildwacht, Prodrive Technologies |
| 15:30 | Circular business models | Frank Stiksma, Saxion Hogeschool |
| 16:15 | Circular business models and ecosystems in practice | Jan van Os, ATAG |
| 16:45 | Drinks |
Speakers and their talks
Nedo Bartels, Digital Innovation Designer at Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering in Kaiserslautern, and PhD student at the Vrije Universiteit
Abstract: Nedo will organize a hands-on workshop on Tangible Ecosystem Modeling (TED), a method for collaborative business ecosystem modeling and design, developed at Fraunhofer IESE.
Frank Berkers, lead scientist ‘Collaborative Business Modelling’ (TNO Vector) and applied research professor (lector) ‘Business for Societal Transition’ (Hogeschool Rotterdam)
Frank Berkers is lead scientist ‘Collaborative Business Modelling’ at TNO Vector (since 2008) and applied research professor (lector) ‘Business for Societal Transition’ at Hogeschool Rotterdam (since 2023). By developing and applying practical methods he and his team aim to support businesses in jointly creating societal value. He has developed several approaches, such as the Value Case Methodology and Collaborative Business Modelling. Frank has also initiated TNO’s strategic initiative Orchestrating Innovation, an approach and training to support leaders of (public-private) innovation networks and hubs.
Frank received his PhD in 2023 from Eindhoven University of Technology. He also holds a master’s degree in econometrics and operations research from Maastricht University. Before joining TNO, Frank served as a consultant, analyst and director for several businesses including a bank and a marketing research firm.
Abstract: In his talk Frank will elaborate on TNO’s approach to collaborative sustainable business modelling – the why, what and how – and its relation with ecosystems. This includes some examples from practice and interactive discussion.
Austin Dsouza is associate lector sustainable business at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences
Dr. Austin Dsouza is an Associate Professor at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, where he leads the Sustainable Business research group within the Marian van Os Centre of Expertise Entrepreneurship and the School for Business, Marketing and Finance. His interdisciplinary research empowers startups and established enterprises to leverage cutting-edge technologies to enhance competitiveness while fostering sustainability. Currently, he is leading the efforts within the NXTGEN Autonomous Factory project to develop a serious gaming platform to facilitate the collaborative design of new business ecosystems in the smart industry domain. https://www.hanze.nl/en/about-hanze/organization/employees/professors/austin-dsouza
Abstract: In a business landscape defined by constant change—shifting customer needs, technological advancements, evolving regulations, and policies—businesses face both new opportunities and threats. Long-term survivability depends on having the right business model. While this dynamic environment creates avenues for innovation, it challenges both established firms and new entrants to develop and adapt business models, particularly collaborative ones, or broader business ecosystems. The development of such models is an inherently iterative and social process, often requiring the active participation of multiple value chain partners. However, existing tools and methods fall short in supporting this complex and interactive co-creation.
In this session, we explore how serious gaming can be leveraged as a powerful collaborative tool to design and iterate viable business models and ecosystems. By fostering engagement, creativity, and interaction, serious games can better simulate real-world complexities, encourage meaningful collaboration, and provide a dynamic platform for co-designing innovative business solutions.
Jaap Gordijn, co-founder and partner of TVE
Jaap holds the UNESCO chair of Decentralized Information Society Engineering (DISE) and leads the corresponding research group at VU Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He is the key developer of the e3value business modeling methodology and its supporting tools.
Abstract: Jaap will organize a hands-on workshop on e3value.
Jan van Os, Manager Innovatie en Duurzaamheid, ATAG Benelux
Jan has worked at ATAG for 27 years in research, innovation, and design. His mission is to contribute to a sustainable world by introducing circularity in manufacturing.
Abstract: From his experience at ATAG, Jan will illustrate that we can realize circularity by cooperating. When we evaluate our behavior critically and take small and feasible steps, we can make a difference.
Joost Schildwacht is AI Product Director at Prodrive Technologies and Founder, CEO, Software Architect at Total Internet Group
Joost leverages his expertise in information systems, software engineering, and ML/AI to create impactful, user-centered architectures that drive business value. His experience bridges technical innovation and business strategy, translating complex needs into scalable, efficient solutions.
Abstract: Drawing from his role at Prodrive Technologies, Joost will showcase how integrating GenAI and AI models can address real-world challenges and transform digital ecosystems within the high-end market.
Frank Stiksma, senior researcher, Lectorate Regional Development (“Regio-Ontwikkeling), Saxion University of Applied Sciences.
Frank obtained is PDEng Doctorate Business & IT at the University of Twente in 2023.
Abstract: Frank will talk about circular ecosystems, circular business models, data-driven decision support systems, and the digital product passport applied to life extension of electrical and electronic devices.
Roel Wieringa, co-founder and partner of TVE
Roel is emeritus Chair of Information Systems at the University of Twente, The Netherlands, and is very busy writing blogs about business models, business ecosystems, and the networked society.
Abstract: Roel will talk about the catalog of network-oriented business model patterns that TVE is currently constructing.