The worlds of culture, creativity, and investment are more connected than ever—but bridging them requires new perspectives, collaboration, and action. Whether you’re a creative navigating funding opportunities or an investor exploring the innovation potential of the cultural and creative sectors, this event will help break down barriers and build new pathways. Join EIT Culture & Creativity, Stichting DOEN, the Municipality of Amsterdam, and other inspiring speakers for a day of exploring how impact investment can support creative entrepreneurship, drive economic growth, and unlock new opportunities across Europe.
More information to follow.
About the speakers
Javier Arias is Director of Business Creation at EIT Culture & Creativity, where he drives the strategy for incubation, acceleration and scaling up of ventures in various culture and creative industries and sectors.
Dr. Rolf Hughes is Education Director for EIT Culture & Creativity, where he spearheads the commissioning of Higher Education programs and professional development initiatives while driving the establishment of the European Craft Academy.
Martijn Blom is impact investment fund developer at Impact Europe. He aims to spotlight and support 100 investment funds in the next few names under #100funds initiative. He recently conducted a feasibility study for DOEN Participates for a new Impact Investment Fund for the cultural and creative sector in Europe.
Arthur Steiner is co-founder at New Silk Roads, and works as a researcher, curator and strategic advisor on business development for impact-driven cultural organisations around the world. He recently conducted a feasibility study for DOEN Participates for a new Impact Investment Fund for the cultural and creative sector in Europe.
Florian Schneider is the founding director of the Institute for Creativity, a new Research Institute at the University of Galway, where he holds a full professorship. He is also Professor of Art Theory and Documentary Practices at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and the President of the Society for Artistic Research (SAR). Since March 2024, he has been the scientific coordinator of PACESETTERS, a Horizon Europe-funded research initiative exploring how arts and culture can not only adapt to the climate crisis, but also drive the transition towards sustainable and regenerative economies.
Mirjam Niessen is an experienced investment professional, with focus on impact investing. Mirjam works for DOEN Participations, the fund of the National Postcode Lottery. DOEN invests in a green, social, and creative society.
Jennifer Muntslag, also known as JNM the Naked MC, is a versatile presenter, actress, MC and performer who has built a strong reputation within the Cultural & Creative sector. Professionally, she is known for her dynamic and energetic stage presence, where she brings events to life with her unique style of hosting and audience interaction.
About EIT Culture & Creativity
EIT Culture & Creativity is the ninth Innovation Community by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. It is designed to strengthen and transform Europe’s Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI) by connecting creatives and organisations to Europe’s largest innovation network. It takes a holistic and open approach to innovation – from tech to artistic driven innovations, from business to citizen driven – and reinforces the appreciation and anchoring of European values and identities. EIT Culture & Creativity will unlock latent value from a multitude of small CCSI stakeholders through technology transfer, improved cross-sectoral collaboration and their effective integration in production value networks. EIT Culture & Creativity will support technology and business innovation; artistic innovation and social innovation. It will also harness the unique position of the CCSI to facilitate the Triple Transitions in Europe – green, digital and social.
