Meet the team

Lisette Braakenburg van Backum | CEO / Head of Event

As co-founder and CEO of Upstream, I’ve been shaping the festival for the past six years into a place where ambitious founders connect with capital and with each other. Beyond Upstream, I’ve spent over a decade building founders’ communities in the Netherlands and abroad, always with the conviction that the world’s toughest problems will be solved by entrepreneurs and that founders go further when they’re surrounded by peers who understand their journey.

From CIC Rotterdam to Up!Rotterdam and EuronextELITE Netherlands, I’ve had the honour of helping shape these communities from their very beginning. Whether through large-scale events, curated roundtables or long-term programs, my focus has been on creating the right conditions for founders to meet, learn and grow. Having facilitated countless connections between founders, investors, corporates and public partners, I’ve seen first-hand how valuable these networks can be.
Outside of work, I love sports and singing and sometimes even combine that with bringing people together, whether during aCrossFit workout, a run, or an informal jam session. I’ve never quite figured out if I’m an introvert or an extrovert (I feel like both). I’m also terrified of sudden loud noises like balloons, fireworks or popping champagne corks.Years ago, a colleague even made a website with tips on “how to deal with me”…which I’ll never share with anyone.

Robbin Hoogstraten | CCO/ Head of Partnerships

My love for startups and scaleups is a lot like my love for BBQing with friends. Both are about bringing the right people together, creating something from scratch and watching it grow into something special! Just as I enjoy gathering around the grill with inspiring, social people to prepare and cook a great meal, I thrive in environments where passionate people come together to build, experiment and scale big ideas! For me, it's never just about the food or the business, it's about the energy, the collaboration and the joy of creating something great with others!

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Over time I have actively assisted hundreds of start/scale-ups cook their funding strategy, structure it and raise their funding round, ranging from pre-seed to series A. I have been instrumental in the growth and eventually sale of Symbid (Europe's first Equity CrowdfundingPlatform), and have been Managing Director Benelux for the new shareholderSeedBlink for 2 years, developing and executing their Benelux Strategy.

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My mission is to support ambitious founders so they can fully focus on their business. I am in there for the long run, creating real value together. Always looking for new opportunities, to connect with entrepreneurs, investors, and partners who share my passion for fast growing companies and innovation (and BBQing maybe;). 

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Christine Michaelis | CMO/ Head of Marketing

Being a founder myself, I've dedicated over two decades to harnessing the power of communication to fuel innovation, growth, and meaningful connections – because in my world, every breakthrough starts with a conversation that sparks clarity and collaboration. With more than 20 years in the communication industry, I've worn many hats: from crafting marketing strategies that amplify brands toco-founding the European Startup Association, where I organized startup festivals across Europe. For the past 15+ years, I've been working with startups, guiding ambitious founders through the chaos of launch and scale with practical tools, mindset shifts, and networks that turn ideas into impact.

Having lived in five countries – Germany, UK, Sweden, Italy, Netherlands– I've learned that the best ideas know no borders, and the richest growth comes from embracing diverse perspectives. Outside of work, you'll find me diving into spiritual practices that recharge my soul, doing sports, or striking up conversations with strangers at international meetups. I'm a firm believer that balance isn't a luxury; it's the secret sauce to sustained creativity. Deep down, I thrive on that blend of introspection and outreach, reminding myself daily that the world opens up when we listen the same way we lead.

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Bernadeta Karpavičiūtė | Head of Community and Platform

Even before I began my professional career, I knew one thing for certain – whatever I do, I want to help shape the world for the better. I quickly realized that politics wasn’t the right path for me, and instead focused my energy on the business world, where hands-on solutions (not policies) drive real, lasting change.

My passion for impact naturally led me to startup ecosystems. My first experience in this space was working with entrepreneurs from Africa, Latin America, and Asia, an opportunity that remains one of the most inspiring and eye-opening experiences of my career.

Seeking that same sense of purpose closer to home, I now focus on strengthening startup and scale-up ecosystems in Rotterdam and the Netherlands.Through my work, I focus on facilitating peer connections, building communities, and driving innovation that makes a tangible difference. And yes –I’ve learned that it’s not all black and white, and that public-private collaboration can lead to the most impactful outcomes.

Kirra Pickering | Head of Program & People

As Head of Program & People at Upstream, I’m focused on shaping meaningful content and connections for the 2026 festival – creating the kind of environment where ambitious founders can learn, grow, and build lasting relationships. For the past five years, I’ve worked with scaling European startups and scale-ups, supporting their growth and international expansion through tailored programmes, expert match making, and curated events. With a background in project management and facilitation,I’m at my best when translating founders’ needs into opportunities for insight and collaboration, bringing together the right people at the right moment to spark progress.

Outside of work, I’m happiest when I’m creating or cultivating something – whether that’s experiences, communities, or my garden back in Amsterdam. I’m lucky to have a big space there, where I grow flowers, fruit, and vegetables during the warmer months (with varying degrees of success). I’ve always valued experiences over things – though books are the exception. I’m an avid reader and will always choose a physical book over a digital one. Originally from Australia, I’ve spent the past decade living across Sweden, the Czech Republic, and now the Netherlands. Though Amsterdam is home, I spend much of the year travelling – finding energy and inspiration in new places, people, and perspectives.

Iryna Pranovich | Head of Data

Startups have always fascinated me: in this world, you’re constantly learning, taking ownership, building new skills overnight, and moving fast.

From data scientist in a startup, to startup analyst at a VC, to acting Product Lead at an international scale-up, I’ve experienced many shapes of entrepreneurship. Across all these roles, one thing has remained the same: I love helping ambitious teams create value by defining product–market fit, shaping go-to-market strategies, building business models, and connecting with the right people.

Since 2022, Upstream has been a special place for me to meet inspiring innovators, have real conversations, and turn connections into products and impact. Now I’m excited to step in and support the community even more.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me on the move - running, traveling, or capturing moments at concerts and events. LikeLisette, I’ve never fully figured out whether I’m an introvert or an extrovert:I love the crazy energy of startup events, but afterward, I often need days of quiet “decompression” to recharge.

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