After the successful events in London, Paris and New York, Techstars Startup Weekend is coming to Thessaloniki!

05 - 07 DECEMBER

3
DAYS

54
HOURS

PKM Regional Council Hall, 26th October 64

JOIN THE

Our Judges

Dr. Evangelos Kosmidis

Dr. Nikolas Hourvouliades

Costas Malamas

Nikolaos Tsoniotis

Christos Nasioudis

Dimitrios Kourtesis

Aris Stamopoulos

Antonis Ilias

Pascalis Samaras

Kimon Drakopoulos

Be a Mentor!

At Techstars Startup Weekend Thessaloniki, mentors are at the heart of the experience. In just 54 hours, teams rely on expert guidance to validate their ideas, explore their markets, and transform concepts into actionable plans.

As a mentor, you bring not only your expertise but also your perspective and the critical questions that challenge assumptions and spark growth. Your input can make the difference between an idea that fades and one that evolves into a real venture.

Mentorship is more than giving back, it’s also a rewarding journey for you. It’s an opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, expand your presence in the startup ecosystem, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

December 5th 2025

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Be a Mentor Be a Mentor Be a Mentor Be a Mentor

Why Mentor?


GUIDANCE

Help teams focus on what really matters. From market validation to building a sustainable business model.


INSPIRATION

Share your knowledge and experience to give participants the confidence to take bold steps..


CONNECTION

Meet other mentors, investors, and entrepreneurs while becoming part of a dynamic global network.

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.

Xun Kuang

Our Mentors

Aleck Alexopoulos

Fotis Psomopoulos

Vangelis Misirlis

Athanasios Gkouramanis

Alexandros Melis

Alexandra Chalvatzakou

Argyrios Spyridis

John Papadimitriou

Konstantinos Vaitsas

Dr. George Koutitas

George Markatatos

Argyris Giannakos

John Harhantis

Grigorios Tsinaforniotis

Dimitris Tsiachtanis

Dimitris Choufteris

Evita Gantina

Evangelos Charalampous

Ιlias Gounopoulos

Katerina Sarri

Lucas Simopoulos

Nikolas Takas

Nikos Zakakis

Nikos Katsiadakis

Nikos Parcharidis

Sonia Mousavere

Stavros Mantzanakis

Fragiskos Theofylaktos

Christos Baltas

Christos Trampoukis

George Ntakakis

Ilias Kalfas

Ira Alevra

Vaios Gkitsas

Panagiotis Konstantinidis

Dimitris Tolias Ph.D.

Alexandros Katsanos

Tonia Rapti

Michael Terzidis

Manos Macromallis

Gikas Selekos

Theodoros Sofianos

Alexandros Koltsakis

Adriane Thrash

Konstantinos Kousouris

Alexandros Papapostolou

Fotios Arvanitidis

Radamanthys Tsotsos

Emanuil Vasigia

Dr. Themistoklis Sfetsas

Yuval Grayzer
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Dr. Evangelos Kosmidis

CEO & General Partner at Loggerhead Ventures Fund

Dr. Evangelos Kosmidis is a serial entrepreneur and High-Level Expert in Environmental ICT and Decision Support Systems. With over 25 years of experience, he has led and managed strategic environmental projects for ministries, research bodies, and the European Commission. He has successfully exited three technology and consulting startups in the past five years and has mentored numerous scientific teams, helping them transform research into market-ready innovation.

He holds a BSc in Physics (AUTH), MSc in Atmospheric Sciences (UCLA), PhD in Atmospheric Physics, and a Business Excellence Certificate from UC Berkeley. He is also an internationally certified Future Strategist

Dr. Nikolas Hourvouliades

Director the Entrepreneurship HUB, Anatolia American Univercity Thessaloniki

Dr. Nikolas Hourvouliades is the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Anatolia American University, Thessaloniki. He was previously the Director of the School of Management, ACT-American College of Thessaloniki.

He holds a PhD in Finance from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in Financial Derivatives. He also holds an MBA from YALE University in the USA. He teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses at ACT, such as Portfolio Management, Investments, Business Research, Money & Banking, Statistics for Managers, Corporate Finance, etc.

His research has been published in international journals and conferences with a referee system, and focuses on the specific financial and macroeconomic characteristics of the wider geographical area. In the past, he has taught at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Technical University of Sindos, as well as other private colleges such as NYC, ICBS and IMESE. In addition to his academic experience, he has significant professional experience, both in the private and public sectors. More specifically, he served as CEO and Vice President at Sourotis as well as Investment Advisor in Private Banking at MIG and Egnatia Finance.

In the public sector, he served as Special Advisor for economic and international issues in the Region of Central Macedonia and the Prefecture of Thessaloniki. His specialization includes subjects such as Investments and Portfolio Management, Financial Analysis and Management, Business Plan Preparation, Debt Analysis and Planning.

Costas Malamas

CEO Dataviva

Costas Malamas is an entrepreneur in the field of Information Technology. He was born and raised in Thessaloniki and holds a BSc in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech and an MSc in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University with a specialization in fluid dynamics and computational modeling. In 2004, he founded Veltio in the USA, with American partners, which is active in providing consulting services to global retail companies, with the aim of planning business operations (retail planning) and optimizing their supply chain (supply chain optimization). Veltio has clients from some of the largest retail companies in the world, in the USA, Western Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

In 2019, he created a spin-out of Veltio, the company Dataviva, which aims to provide software again in the supply chain sector and decision support (software as a service). Dataviva is backed by Greek venture capital (BigPi Ventures) with a total funding of over $5 million. In 2016, he launched the TechSaloniki technology fair with the aim of promoting the sector in the city, attracting multinational IT companies and increasing human resources. This annual fair is now the largest technology event in Northern Greece with over 2,000 visitors and 40 participating companies each year.

He is also a member of the Northern Greece Committee of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce and has represented the technology sector in official Greek business missions to the US and Europe.

Nikolaos Tsoniotis

Entrepreneur Co-Founder of Venture Studios, Startup Coach

Nikolaos Tsoniotis is an entrepreneur with many years of experience in developing and supporting startup ecosystems and efforts. As a co-founder of a venture studio and startup coach, he has contributed to the creation and acceleration of dozens of early-stage companies, working in depth on deep-tech research, product strategy and commercialization.

At the same time, through his role as Product Director and founder of startup efforts himself, he has shaped products from idea to market, with a practical approach to innovation, team development and sustainable scaling.

Christos Nasioudis

Financial Analyst, Banking Executive, Representative NBG Business Seeds in Thessaloniki

Christos Nasioudis is a financial analyst and executive in the banking industry with 20 years of experience in financing and evaluating businesses, with deep knowledge of investment plans and programs. As a representative of NBG Business Seeds in Thessaloniki for the last 8 years, he has been involved in technology and entrepreneurship actions, as well as dealing with issues of innovation and development of start-ups.

Dimitrios Kourtesis

Co-Founder Ideas Forward, Angel Investor, Co-Founder Hellenic Business Angels Network

Dimitrios Kourtesis is a computer scientist turned founder, community builder, and investor, with two decades in software and startups. His technical background includes research (PhD CompSci, University of Sheffield) and consulting (European Commission JRC). He co-founded the venture builder Ideas Forward and multiple startups (Goodvidio, CO2Path, Article Reader AI).

He is an angel investor (Loceye-acquired by Neurons, Athletopia, AidPlex, Nudge Care), co-founded the Hellenic Business Angels Network, and supported over 400 early-stage startups through founder training and community building.

Aris Stamopoulos

Site Manager Egg Accelerator Eurobank

For almost a decade, Aris Stamopoulos has served at the egg Accelerator of Eurobank, the
leading startup accelerator in Greece, currently holding the position of Site Manager. Throughout
this period, he has collaborated with numerous startups in accelerating their business activities
in both the Greek and international markets. His long-standing experience in startup operations,
ecosystem-aware perspective and entrepreneurial support make him capable of providing
effective guidance, operational support and strategic insights to early-stage founders and their
teams.

In his role, Aris is responsible for overseeing business development progress across participating
startups, ensuring that each startup follows a structured and goal-oriented growth trajectory.
Additionally, he conducts comprehensive mapping of the Greek startup ecosystem, which
includes tracking and analyzing all parties involved (companies, institutions, stakeholders etc.).
This enables informed decision-making and the identification of opportunities for added-value
collaborations, innovation and sustainable growth.

Antonis Ilias

Founding Partner TECS Capital

Antonis Ilias is a Founding Partner at TECS Capital, a pre-seed venture capital fund based in Thessaloniki. He leads the firm’s investment strategy, with a strong focus on accelerating startup growth and driving long-term value creation across the portfolio. With extensive experience in early-stage investing, he actively supports founders on strategy, deal structuring, and the design of scalable growth pathways, helping transformative ideas evolve into high-impact companies

Pascalis Samaras

Founder & CEO Softworks S.A.

Pascalis Samaras, founder and CEO of Softworks S.A., is an entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the field of Information Technology. He was born in Thessaloniki and studied at the School of Engineering of the Democritus University of Thrace. He has deep knowledge of IT technologies and software application development.

A co-founder of Unisoft Northern Greece S.A., he served as the company’s Technical Director until 2002. In 2003, he founded Softworks S.A., based in Thessaloniki, focusing on software application development and the provision of IT services.

Photo of Aleck Alexopoulos, mentor of Techstars Startup Weekend Thessaloniki

Aleck Alexopoulos

Senior Research Scientist at CERTH and co-founder of RespiBit Ltd.

Aleck Alexopoulos is a Chemical Engineer (PhD Purdue, PostDoc MIT) with 30 years research experience at CERTH in polymers, drug delivery, and computational simulations of physiology circulatory systems, biodevices, environmental monitoring, human movement and functional capacity, as well as chronic and infectious respiratory diseases. AA is also a serial entrepreneur with RespiBit Ltd being his second startup. AA also contributes to the startup community as a volunteer judge and mentor and assists investors in a technology advisory capacity.

Fotis Psomopoulos, mentor of Techstars Startup Weekend Thessaloniki

Fotis Psomopoulos

Senior Researcher and the Director of the Bioinformatics Laboratory at the Institute of Applied Biosciences (INAB)

Fotis Psomopoulos is a Senior Researcher and the Director of the Bioinformatics Laboratory at the Institute of Applied Biosciences (INAB), at the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH). His research interests lie at the intersection of Bioinformatics and Machine Learning. He is a strong advocate of FAIR and Open Science, in particular as applied in research software and machine learning. He is the co-lead of the ELIXIR AI Ecosystem Focus Group and the co-chair of the RDA FAIR for Machine Learning Interest Group.

Finally, he is a co-author of the Greek National Plan for Open Science, the co-lead of the EOSC Opportunity Area on Research Software and the coordinator of the EVERSE project on Research Software Excellence.

Vangelis Misirlis

Data and AI Solution Engineer at Microsoft

Specialized in Data & AI workloads, with expertise in modern data platform architectures, Microsoft Fabric, Azure Databricks, and Purview Data Governance. Focused on enabling enterprise customers to modernize analytics, integrate SAP and Oracle systems, and drive innovation through secure, scalable cloud solutions.

Athanasios Gkouramanis

Innovation Consultant at Deloitte

Athanasios Gouramanis is a member of Deloitte’s innovation team, as an Innovation Consultant, while he has 5 years of experience in business consulting. He is a PhD Candidate at the Department of Accounting and Finance of the University of Macedonia and participates in the Laboratory of Financial Technology and Strategic Artificial Intelligence (FTSAI).

Alexandros Melis

Founder/Head of Digital at Strategy GRØWL Digital

Alexandros Mellis is Founder & Head of Digital Strategy at GRØWL Digital, with over 20 years of experience in digital marketing. In the past, he was the founder of the Thessaloniki Hip Hop Festival (THHF) and has worked in leadership roles in both agencies and brands, undertaking strategy, creative direction and performance marketing for complex projects in Greece and abroad.

He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds an MA in Marketing from the University of Sheffield. He specializes in growth consulting, performance marketing and team training.

Alexandra Chalvatzakou

Co-founder of GIACodeHub

Alexandra Chalvatzakou is a visionary creator, strategic leader, and systemic thinker whose career bridges public service, technology, and entrepreneurship. Her journey reflects a rare blend of discipline, creativity, and leadership — turning bold ideas into tangible innovation.

She began her professional path in the Hellenic Police, where she served in leadership roles that required precision, responsibility, and the ability to operate under pressure. Her curiosity for progress led her to invent and patent the Robotic Cane for the Visually Impaired, a globally recognized innovation later acquired by an American company.

Holding a degree in Business Administration, Alexandra combines strategic insight with entrepreneurial mindset. She has also studied Systemic Psychology and Systemic Constellations through an internationally recognized institution, deepening her understanding of human and organizational systems.

Throughout her career, she has taken leadership roles in technology and robotics, managed international negotiations, and coordinated projects of large social and cultural impact, including global-scale initiatives that showcased her organizational mastery and creative vision.

As Co-founder of GIA CODE Hub, Alexandra leads an ecosystem of innovation and development, nurturing breakthrough projects such as Medithos — an AI-powered healthcare platform — and Smart Home Bin, a patented smart waste management system officially filed with the Greek Industrial Property Organization (OBI).

A mother of two and a lifelong learner, Alexandra embodies resilience, imagination, and purpose-driven leadership.

“As long as I live, I will keep creating my world — a world of innovation, values, and meaningful change.”

Argyrios Spyridis

CEO of Anthology Ventures

Argyrios (or Argyris) has three decades of experience consulting businesses – ranging from Startups to Corporates.  He is currently CEO of Anthology Ventures an Angel-based venture studio for startups in Bulgaria, managing partner in Anthology Management engaging with regional ecosystem building, founding member of HeBAN (the Greek business angel network), and an expert monitor in European Union innovation programs.

A serial entrepreneur himself, Argyrios expertise ranges to a variety of fields from Business Development, Operations to Financial planning and Investments. He is currently active in a wide series of acceleration programs or bootcamps internationally, research projects, as well as a trainer for Mentors and Business Angels. Argyris likes to talk about innovation, business models and share foresights that could benefit the economy and the society as a whole.

John Papadimitriou

Co-founder of the Technology & Digital Economy Hub / TechFuse

He has been working in the field of strategic communication for more than 15 years, supporting multinational companies, organizations, and individuals in achieving their goals.

He is the co-owner of NOW, a company that publishes a series of magazines and special editions, with the flagship monthly free press Citymag. He is also the owner of Open Palm, a company specializing in corporate communication and marketing, and co-founder of the Technology & Digital Economy Hub in Ioannina. In addition, he is the co-founder of TechFuse, the first conference in Greece that bridges technology, innovation, and culture. He has studied political science, journalism, and marketing.

Konstantinos Vaitsas

Director of Innovation at Deloitte

Konstantinos has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of innovation management, international cooperation and technology commercialization. It supports the development of innovation initiatives within companies, with the aim of strengthening and exploiting their potential in the field of innovation. At the same time, it actively supports small and medium-sized enterprises and scale-ups in creating value through the commercial exploitation of technology and the development of new cross-border partnerships.

He holds an MSc in Technology and Innovation Management and started his career in the UK, at Rolls-Royce and BTG Plc, before returning to Greece. Today, it provides consulting services on the creation of spin-off companies, acceleration of startups and empowerment of the development of innovative scale-up companies.

Dr. George Koutitas

Director Digital Medicines and AI/ML at Pfizer

Dr. George Koutitas is Director of Enterprise Architecture at Pfizer Digital, with 20+ years of experience across startups, academia, and corporate innovation. Prior to Pfizer, he founded two software startups in Austin Texas. George has led digital transformation in healthcare and energy, earning awards from SXSW, the US Department of Energy, and EU Funds.

His current focus is GenAI commercialization, ethical AI, and rapid prototyping. He is the author of peer-reviewed publications and a US patent.

George Markatatos

Vice President of Association of Innovative Greek Applications Bussinesses SEKEE

George Markatatos is an experienced professional in the field of technology and innovation, with a career that begins in 1998. He was the founder and CEO of REGATE S.A. since 2004, and has also served as General Manager of SoftOne in the Digital Commerce & CX department.

Today, he is an active investor, mentor and entrepreneur, participating in advisory boards of startup companies focused on technology and innovation, and has founded a new startup called ForceCRM.gr. At the same time, he is Vice President of the Association of Innovative Applications Businesses of Greece (SEKEE), of which he has served as President in the past (2021-2023).

His specialization is in the field of Digital Commerce and Enterprise Mobility, with vertical knowledge in B2B solutions, CRM and Sales Force Automation. He has dedicated his career to helping businesses harness the power of mobile devices, the internet and modern technologies to increase their efficiency and agility. He regularly writes for industry magazines and media, analyzing developments and trends in the field of mobility and business solutions.

He holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Southampton, an MSc in Operations Research from Warwick Business School and an MA in Innovation and Change from York University. Born in Paris in 1977, he is a father of three and an avid collector of 20th century computers and servers.

Argyris Giannakos

Founder of Atlas Tech, CEO of GIA CodeHub

Argyris Giannakos is a visionary leader, pilot, and entrepreneur, bridging the worlds of aviation, technology, and business innovation.
A former Hellenic Air Force pilot, he has accumulated extensive flight experience under high-pressure environments, cultivating precision, leadership, and strategic thinking.

After transitioning from military to private aviation, Argyris founded Atlas Tech, a company dedicated to intelligent systems and advanced technology solutions. As CEO of GIA CODE Hub, he leads a cross-disciplinary innovation hub that develops AI-driven platforms, smart systems, and scalable ventures shaping the future of tech.

He graduated in Business Administration and further specialized in Systems Architecture, combining strategic management expertise with technical insight. His leadership merges analytical discipline with visionary creativity, driving innovation through purpose and clarity.

Motto: “Precision in vision, purpose in action.”

John Harhantis

Social Entrepreneur, President & Founder of InfinityGreece

John Harchantis is the founder and president of “InfinityGreece”, an award-winning social enterprise in the field of marketing and entrepreneurship. With a degree in Informatics (University of Macedonia) and an MBA (American College of Thessaloniki), he combines academic knowledge with over 10 years of practical experience in project management and strategy development.

In 2014, he founded InfinityGreece, an organization that helps young people aged 18-30 develop personally and professionally through education, volunteering and mobility programs. The organization has achieved 100% organic growth and has been recognized with awards such as the Hellenic Responsible Business Awards and the Hellenism Vision Award 2050.

Through SALDOagency.com, employees provide digital marketing services, reinvesting profits for social impact and sustainable jobs. InfinityGreece’s youth center in Thessaloniki hosts over 2,500 visits annually.

John is an experienced speaker at international conferences and entrepreneurship programs (e.g. VentureGarden, CruiseInn), having even presented his work at the Greek Parliament. He has collaborated with Universities, Organizations and Foundations such as the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and the Heinrich Böll Foundation, enhancing the empowerment of the new generation.

Grigorios Tsinaforniotis

Founder & CEO - AI Agency M.I.K.E. | AI Architect & Go-to-Market Coach AI Agency at M.I.K.E. / AI Pantheon

My name is Grigorios Tsinaforniotis and I am the CEO & Founder of AI Agency M.IKE, a company that develops innovative Artificial Intelligence applications and actively contributes to placing Greece at the forefront of European technological innovation.

I am a certified AI Specialist from Howard University and a Diplomate Engineer in Cybernetics and Computer Engineering from the University of Architecture and Civil Engineering in Weimar. Since 2010 I have been active in the field of Digital Marketing, while since 2023 I have been focusing exclusively on the development of Artificial Intelligence applications and solutions.
AI Agency has collaborated with public bodies such as the Hellenic Police and the Ministry of Transport, developing innovative systems that enhance the efficiency and digital modernization of critical services.
Our mission focuses on creating practical, immediately applicable AI systems that offer solutions in critical sectors of the economy and society, specializing in:
  – Intelligent Systems for the Public Sector
  – Real-Time Data Analytics
  – Innovation in AgriTech

Dimitris Tsiachtanis

Economist Bsc, EU Project Manager - iED.eu, Business Lead at HERMESteam.eu Institute of Entrepreneurship Development

Dimitris Tsiachtanis studied Economics at University of Thessaly, obtained his Bachelor’s degree and completed his internship in the field of Digital Marketing in Barcelona, Spain.

Dimitris is currently working as a Project Manager at Institute of Entrepreneurship Development, contributing to the proposal writing  and implementation of European Projects. He is also part of the HERMES Team, a robotic exoskeleton research team from the University of Thessaly holding the position of Business development manager.

Dimitris Choufteris

Startup Mentor & Innovation Strategist

Dimitris Choufteris is a Startup Growth & Market Expansion Consultant, a graduate of the Department of Economics of the Democritus University of Thrace, with experience in the development of early-stage startups and entry into new markets.

He has developed his own startup, with which he won competitions and was introduced to the European EIT ecosystem. He has worked as a Shadow CEO where he had the opportunity to actively participate in the strategic decision-making process, monitor and co-shape the overall business direction of the company Mantis Beyond Innovation. He has served as a mentor as an external partner of Mantis Beyond Innovation in innovation and idea development programs by student groups of the Universities of Ioannina and Democritus University of Thrace.

He currently works as an advisor in a Greek startup while at the same time he has undertaken the market expansion & fit of an American startup in Greece.

Evita Gantina

Marketing Strategy & Branding For Communication

Evita Gantina has more than 25 years of senior management experience in Greek and international organizations, specializing in Corporate Communication, Strategic Marketing and Business Development. She is a graduate of the University of Houston (BBA & Master’s in Corporate Communication) and has served in leadership positions and boards of directors of large companies in the textile industry.

Since 2011, she has been co-owner and Managing Partner of a marketing and public relations firm, guiding strategic communication, corporate identity, market development and business transformation projects for organizations in Greece and abroad.
At the same time, she is active as a business consultant, speaker and mentor in entrepreneurship programs and accelerators, while participating in advisory and executive bodies, offering strategic guidance on issues of leadership, innovation and organizational development.

Evangelos Charalampous

Managing Director at Be Best

Evangelos Charalambous is CEO and co-founder of Be Best, one of the leading exhibition and conference organizing companies in Greece. With more than 20 years of experience in the design and development of major exhibition brands (BEYOND, Auto Athina, Moto expo, Marathon Expo, Autotec Expo, etc.), he has significantly contributed to strengthening innovation, entrepreneurship and extroversion of Greek businesses.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) and Secretary General of the Association of Greek Exhibition & Event Organizers (SOKEE). He believes in the power of collaboration, creativity and new ideas that change markets and mindsets.

Elias Gounopoulos

Associate Professor at the University of Western Macedonia

Mr. Elias Gounopoulos is a Professor of Informatics at the University of Western Macedonia, with research interests in the fields of digital skills, e-governance and e-learning. His research work includes numerous publications in international scientific journals and peer-reviewed conferences. He holds a PhD in Informatics from the University of Macedonia, as well as the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

He has more than fifteen years of experience in the private sector as an analyst and area manager, and has participated in the implementation of major IT projects in the public and private sectors.
Mr. Elias Gounopoulos has actively participated in various European and national research programs, and is also an external evaluator of funded research programs in Greece and abroad.

Katerina Sarri

Professor of Business Administration and Entepreunership at University of Macedonia

Katerina Sarri is an Economist, Professor of Business Administration-Entrepreneurship, at the University of Macedonia.

Her work focuses on the interconnection of scientific knowledge with entrepreneurship, innovation, social empowerment and in particular the cultivation of entrepreneurial culture, start-up entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems with a particular emphasis on preparing and strengthening the participation of young people and women in the economy and the labor market.

She is the founder of the Entrepreneurship Laboratory at the University of Macedonia, which she directs, Concept Founder of the Social Innovation Hackathon and conferences on the Pedagogy of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Member of the National Council for Research, Technology & Innovation of the Ministry of Development, Member of the Scientific Committee on Workforce Skills of the Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs, Member of the Board of Directors of the Business Administration Society of Northern Greece (EDEBE) and President of the Equality Institute, Member of the Committee on Technology Transfer, Innovation and New Entrepreneurship of the University of Macedonia, President of the Committee on Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination of the University of Macedonia.

She is the scientific manager and coordinator for our country of the GUESSS program for youth entrepreneurship, coordinator of the Thematic Unit “Entrepreneurship & Innovation Theory” for the Hellenic Open University (HOU), she was an entrepreneur, she has worked as a Business Consultant and a member of the Board of Directors of the Ergani Center for Women and Youth Entrepreneurship. At the same time, she has served as a member of the National Council for Gender Equality of the General Secretariat for Demographic and Family Policy and Gender Equality, a member of the Scientific Committee for Combating Violence against Women of the General Secretariat for Gender Equality, & a member of the Board of Directors of the Association for Inter-Balkan Cooperation of Women – UNESCO Center.

For more than 30 years she has been teaching in Greek and foreign higher education institutions at Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels, as well as in Private and Public Law Legal Entities. She is an Evaluator of Programs and Educational Institutions abroad, Scientific Director of National and European Research Programs, Reviewer & Editor of International Scientific Journals with a large number of citations in her published research work.
She has authored or co-authored 7 books-university textbooks in more than 40 university departments.

Lucas Simopoulos

CTO of Loopcv

I am the CTO at Loopcv, a technology enthusiast and a fan of new tech stacks. With years of experience in the IT industry, I am inspired by the challenge of solving problems and creating solutions with real impact.
Loopcv is a platform that automates the job search, helping candidates save time and increase their chances of finding the job that suits them best.

Nikolas Takas

CEO at THERMI VC, Managing Partner at NGIF

Mr. Nikolas Takas is the CEO of THERMI VC SA which manages the NORTHERN GREECE INVESTMENT FUND, the only growth VC Fund based in Thessaloniki, with 30mil EURO under management. He has a 20 year experience in Venture Capital Investments having managed Funds of more than 100mil EURO since 2004. 

He is the Vice President of THERMI GROUP, a group investing in the Renewable Energy, ICT, Real Estate & Tourism, and Shipping sectors with more than 100mil EURO in investments. He is also the Managing Director of BALKAN REAL ESTATE (Construction Company) and the President of DOMOS GROUP (Construction Materials). 

Mr. Nikolas Takas is a Member of the BoD of the Federation of Industries of Greece (SBE), Member of the BoD of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Slovenia in Northern Greece.

Mr. Takas holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Winchester, a Master of Science (MSc) in Shipping Trade and Finance from Cass Business School (City University London), and a Bachelor of Science in Economics (BA) from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He is also a Phd candidate in Economics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Nikos Zakakis

Digital & E-Business Consultant and Chair of the International Business and Marketing Programs at Perrotis College American Farm School

I am an eBusiness and MarTech Consultant passionate about eBusiness Strategy, Growth, Web Data and Tech. Fully understanding the digital landscape, bridging the gap between marketing, sales, customer experience and technology.

I hold a PhD in the field of Media and Organizational Communication at the University of the Aegean, having so far several publications in International Refereed Journals and presentations in International Research Conferences. I specialize as a MarTech Consultant, collaborating with diverse clients and agencies in Greece and internationally to facilitate their digital transformation journey.

I hold a position as the Chair of the Business School, including International Business, Digital Marketing and Marketing Programs at Perrotis College, American Farm School in Thessaloniki, teaching “International and Global Marketing in a Digital World”, “International Marketing Management”, “Strategic Management”, “Digital Consumer Behavior” and “Entrepreneurship”. My research focus lies in Behavioral Analytics in Digital Media Consumption, user behavior patterns, preferences, and engagement strategies. Through this dual role, I am committed to bridging academic insights with practical applications, driving innovation in digital marketing strategies and enhancing our understanding of audience dynamics in the digital age.

Nikos Katsiadakis

Ecosystem Development at Thess INTEC

Nikos was born and raised in Edessa. He graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering in 1997 and received his MSc in ‘Management of Production Systems’ in 2002 from the same faculty of Mechanical Engineering. After his first graduation he served the Greek army and started his professional career in Thessaloniki Technology Park, being responsible for planning, implementing, and managing several technology transfer and innovation projects focusing in the areas of knowledge management and creativity support (1999-2009). Thessaloniki Technology Park team developed and managed the 1st business incubator in Thessaloniki’s ecosystem.

From 2010 to 2023, Nikos Katsiadakis continued his career in the local innovation ecosystem working in the liaison and technology transfer unit of the Center for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH), one of the biggest public research centers in Greece. His main duties were to offer liaison, networking, innovation, and IP support services with the overall aim to support a more effective technology transfer and more influential innovation. Working for CERTH, he participated in several innovation projects studying issues such as innovation ecosystems, clusters, regional innovation policy and science communication. He has supported as organizer and as a speaker many training seminars, workshops, B2B sessions, innovation events and conferences.

Nikos is passionate about all forms of innovation and very curious to investigate the role of human mind and knowledge dynamics in the eternal process of innovation particularly in large contexts such as parks, districts, and regions. He is an amateur beekeeper exercising nomadic beekeeping and (hopefully) a good father of little George.

Nikos Parcharidis

Managing Director at Vitamin Media

Nikos Parcharidis is Managing Director and Founder of Vitamin Media, a multi-award winning digital first – advertising company based in Thessaloniki, specializing in content marketing and strategic brand development.

With many years of experience and international distinctions, Vitamin Media collaborates with leading companies in Greece, offering innovative solutions that combine data, creativity and substantial business value. He has founded DevOcean, a specialized Development & Digital Advertising company, and is a shareholder of Softweb Adaptive IT Solutions

Sonia Mousavere

Communications, Public Affairs & Sustainability Country Lead at Bayer Hellas

Sonia Mousavere began her professional career in the Pharmaceutical industry in 1995. Holding different positions initially in production, and then in the Sales, Marketing and Training departments of large multinational companies, she gained valuable experience and deep knowledge of the operation, needs and challenges faced by pharmaceutical companies in our country.

In 2006, she became a member of Bayer Hellas, expanding her experience in new sectors, such as the Cosmetics sector and the Agriculture sector. She leads the Communication Department, Public Relations and Sustainable Development, having responsibility for all the company’s communication issues, the Corporate Social Responsibility program, the Level-up Open Innovation program and the coordination of the company’s relations with the general public and distinguished partners.

Stavros Mantzanakis

Managing Partner at Helenos Consulting | Senior Technical Expert at One Stop Liaison Office

Stavros Mantzanakis brings over 30 years of executive experience in private and public sector organizations, specializing in innovation strategy, funding, and the development of business ecosystems.

As Managing Partner of Helenos Consulting and Senior Technical Expert at the One Stop Liaison Office of the Region of Central Macedonia, he has guided the implementation of smart specialization strategies (RIS3) and contributed to the funding of businesses and research teams. With an educational background in Business Administration, an MBA in International Finance, and an Executive Masters in Smart Cities, he has served as an evaluator for the EU SME instrument program and as General Director at the business incubator Thermi S.A..

As a tutor in the International Certified Future Strategist Program and Co-Chair of the Greece Node of the Millennium Project, he serves as an experienced mentor for startup teams seeking strategic guidance and access to funding instruments.

Fragiskos Theofylaktos

CEO of Prisma Consulting

Frangiskos Theofylaktos is a seasoned executive with many years of experience in the startup ecosystem.
He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Athens and an MBA from Nottingham Trent University.

He has served as CEO, Vice President and President of organizations that promote innovation and growth in various sectors such as consulting, energy, environmental technologies and digital solutions.
Since 2014, through Prisma Consulting and roles such as CEO of Elevate Greece, he has been actively involved in the Greek startup ecosystem — designing and operating incubators, co-working spaces and support programs that have empowered hundreds of entrepreneurs.

As a strategic advisor and mentor in initiatives such as NATO’s DIANA program and the Athens Startup Business Incubator of the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he has evaluated over 800 business ideas and supported more than 200 startups in strategy, business model and preparation for financing.

Christos Baltas

Director at PwC, Advisory/Deals & Strategy Department Northern Greece

Christos Baltas is a Director at PwC, in the Advisory/Deals & Strategy Department, Thessaloniki Office, Northern Greece. 

He has held senior positions in Financial Institutions for two decades, specialising in Corporate and Commercial Banking. He has collaborated with numerous companies and organisations in Northern Greece, supporting ie investment projects, syndicated loans, M&As/investment banking, debt restructuring.

He has worked as a senior account officer at EFG Eurobank (2000-2007), at Emporiki/Credit Agricole, later AlphaBank (2012-2017), and as Head of Thessaloniki Unit at HSBC Bank plc (2007-2012). He was also an SME business consultant (1997-2000) at Euroconsultants SA.

Prior to joining PwC Business Solutions in 2022, Christos was the Financial Director at a major industrial agribusiness group. 

Christos Trampoukis

CEO / VP of Synthesa Inc / HeBAN

Christos Trampoukis is an entrepreneur, tech enthusiast & angel investor with 20+ years experience pushing the boundaries in various industries. Engineering academic background and INSEAD MBA graduate.

He is currently:

– Co-founder and CEO at Synthesa Inc, an AI startup in the healthcare industry along with world class co-founders and advisors.

– Venture Partner at Praxia Capital providing growth capital to startups through Venture Debt.

– Active member of Greece’s startup ecosystem in various investment and mentoring roles, currently focusing on angel investments through HeBAN.

– Pioneer of student housing real estate investments in Greece as the CEO of Oikotrust Student Housing. 

George Ntakakis

CTO of Augmented Training Systems

George Ntakakis is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Augmented Training Systems, a US-based company that develops advanced immersive training systems (VR/AR/MR) for healthcare, mass incident response, and organizational operational readiness. As CTO, he leads multidisciplinary teams of engineers, 3D artists, and researchers and has designed platforms that transform real medical and operational protocols into measurable, high-fidelity digital simulations.
He has over 14 years of experience in software development for medical and industrial applications and more than 9 years of XR expertise. He is a graduate of the MSc in Medical Informatics at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, has additional training in Digital Healthcare Management from the University of Sheffield, and is working on a PhD thesis at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki on surgical education with extended reality technologies. The solutions it develops focus on clinical value, scalability, and AI integration for organizations that need real-world operational training.

Ilias Kalfas

Head of the Innovation HUB American Farm School of Thessaloniki

Dr. Ilias Kalfas is a Plant Production Agronomist with a specialization in Plant Protection, Department of Agriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He holds a PhD from the University of London, a Diploma of Imperial College and an MSc in Production Organization and Quality Management in the Food Industry, while he has worked at a postdoctoral level on the study of the impacts of climate change on primary production.
He worked at the National Agricultural Research Foundation, at ELGA, in Certification Organizations assuming positions of responsibility, at the Region of Central Macedonia, in National and European research and application programs and at the American Agricultural School. He is a member of the ENV Panel (Research Executive Agency) of the European Commission and a reviewer in scientific journals.
He works as Head of the Innovation HUB at the American Agricultural School. He participates in many research programs while his research interests include the application of high technology in Greek agriculture, the circular economy, the sustainability of the Greek farmer, the impact of climate change on the country’s production and the environmental impacts of agricultural activity.

Ira Alevra

Account Manager, Business Development JOIST Marketplace

Curious by nature and driven to inspire people and businesses to reach their full potential, Irakleia believes in the power of technology to create meaningful impact. She is passionate about turning ideas into scalable ventures and transforming challenges into opportunities.

With a background in Urban Planning and Regional Development, as a certified business mentor with hands-on experience in project ownership, business development, and deep-tech grant evaluation, she moves naturally across research, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration, helping organizations turn vision into action.

Today, Irakleia contributes to several innovation-focused initiatives and leads the JOIST Marketplace, where she oversees cross-functional collaboration, strategic planning, ecosystem development, and long-term growth.

Vaios Gkitsas

Founder & CEO of Upset Partners

Vaios Gkitsas is a B2B SaaS and Go-to-Market professional with two decades of experience. 

An exited founder who has worked with over 100 B2B SaaS startups and top-tier investors such as Antler, 500, and Mubadala (Hub71), Vaios brings deep GTM expertise to the new AI-driven era of sales. 

Today, as Founder & CEO of Upset Partners, he leverages this experience to help B2B companies scale customer acquisition through AI-powered outbound strategies that combine precision, strategy and human insight.

Panagiotis Konstantinidis

Thessaloniki Development Center Management, Netcompany

IT leader with more than 20 years of experience in building and leading high-performance teams. His passion is to harness technology and innovation to transform ideas into sustainable products. During his career he has been active in both business and the private IT sector. In recent years he has been the head of the Netcompany Development Center in Thessaloniki.

Dimitris Tolias Ph.D.

Director of Development, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence, Hellenic American Union Dean for Digital Learning and Educational Innovation, Hellenic American University

Dimitris Tolias has been active in education and institutional leadership for more than 25 years. His expertise lies in eLearning methodologies, digital education technologies, and the strategic integration of artificial intelligence in teaching, learning, and organizational operations.

He has participated in international research projects focusing on the development of virtual learning environments and the application of digital technologies to education. In collaboration with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA), he designed an online platform for foreign language instruction and has also developed classroom and mobile learning applications in partnership with technology companies in the US and Greece.

As Dean for Digital Learning and Educational Innovation at the Hellenic American University, he leads the university’s digital transformation strategy, advancing innovative pedagogies and faculty development in educational technology and AI-enhanced learning.

In his role as Director of Development, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence at the Hellenic American Union, he oversees the organization-wide AI strategy, staff training initiatives, and the design of AI tools for educational and administrative use, aligning individual and institutional capabilities with the organization’s evolving goals and innovation agenda.

Alexandros Katsanos

B2B Sales Consultant and Trainer, Sales Improvement Specialist @SALESblog

He has more than 20 years of experience in B2B sales of products, projects and services across different industries and corporate environments.

Since 2022, he has been helping companies, sales professionals and founders improve their performance and strategy in B2B sales, as well as the way they communicate their value.

He is a certified Adult Trainer (EOPPEP), has studied at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the University of Manchester and the University of Macedonia (Executive MBA), and is a graduate of the German School of Thessaloniki.

Tonia Rapti

Senior Associate Lawyer at Nexus Law Firm

Tonia Rapti, based in Thessaloniki, is Senior Lawyer at Nexus Law Firm, with offices in Thessaloniki and Athens. She holds an LL.B. from the Faculty of Law of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and an LL.M. in Transnational and European Commercial Law, Banking Law, Arbitration/Mediation from the International Hellenic University. She specializes in Commercial, Business, M&A and Civil Law, and is a certified Data Protection Officer (DPO) and AI Ethics Officer, allowing her to comprehensive legal counseling to startups and corporations.

Michael Terzidis

Associate Professor at Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics of International Hellenic University (IHU)

My name is Michael Terzidis and I am an Associate Professor at the Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics of the International Hellenic University. I deal with the mechanisms of organic reactions and the synthesis of molecules with applications in biology and food and nutrition science. I am among the inventors in four patents that resulted from my research activity in the research and development department of a Greek pharmaceutical company and I have a strong interest in issues of innovation, entrepreneurship and support for start-ups.

Manos Macromallis

President of SEKEE

Manos Macromallis is the CEO of Excelon and President of SEKEE. With over 20 years of experience in the technology services industry, he is a seasoned executive with deep expertise across the fintech, telecommunications, and SaaS sectors.

Throughout his career, Manos has held several C-level positions, driving innovation and growth for startups and established companies alike. He has a proven track record of delivering dependable solutions, boosting revenues, and achieving operational excellence—leveraging his analytical mindset, entrepreneurial curiosity, and collaborative leadership style.

Excelon is a leading provider of digital finance solutions, offering a comprehensive suite of services that include FIAT payment accounts, Mastercard services, Crypto Wallet solutions, and a state-of-the-art Exchange platform.

Gikas Selekos

Head of Supply Chain at MIKEL COFFEE COMPANY

Gikas Selekos is Head of Supply Chain at MIKEL COFFEE COMPANY, with over 10 years of experience in supply chain management, logistics and last-mile operations. He has served as Head of Operations at Skroutz Last Mile and has held leadership roles such as COO and General Manager, and is also Founder & CEO of DEALIVERY PLUS.

He is distinguished for his strategic planning, the organization of complex networks and his ability to transform business processes into scalable, efficient operating models.

Theodoros Sofianos

CEO & Co-founder of Digital Bites

Thodoris is a food scientist with a strong passion for technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. He studied at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands and is the co-founder and CEO of Digital Bites.

Digital Bites creates a market research platform for consumer products using virtual reality and data, helping companies understand how buyers make decisions. For many years he participated in Hackathons and entrepreneurship competitions, having won many distinctions and awards.

Alexandros Koltsakis

Operations Leader

Alexandros is a business professional with 15+ years of experience in operations, sales, and project management across BPO, banking, and technology sectors.

He has built teams from scratch, managed service delivery and client onboarding, and led commercial initiatives from planning to execution.
His expertise includes customer experience management, process improvement, performance analytics, and data-driven operational strategies.

Adriane Thrash

Co-founder, Managing Partner, Investor & Director Anthology Ventures

I am Co-founder, Managing Partner, Investor and Director at Anthology Ventures, an Angel-powered Venture Studio. A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, I bring more than two decades of hands-on experience working with deep tech founders at the Pre-seed, Seed and Series A level. As an active Business Angel and Board member I provide strategic direction to venture-backed startups, including recent EIC-awarded companies; and advise Village Capital’s Greentech Accelerator (funded by VISA). With a background in Social Sciences, Finance, Corporate Marketing, and Enterprise IT, I help entrepreneurs achieve significant milestones in investment/fundraising, governance, business development and scaling.

My domains include: Greentech/Climate/Circularity, Health/Med/BioTech, and deep technology-based solutions (AI, Blockchain, Robotics, Biotech). I serve as an Advisor and Board Member to venture-backed startups, and I am an active advocate for women’s entrepreneurship and equitable funding.

Konstantinos Kousouris

Multisector Entrepreneur & Entrepreneurship Professor Innovation Academy

Konstantinos is a multi-disciplinary entrepreneur and entrepreneurship professor, with activities in the fields of artificial intelligence, catering and education. At the same time, he manages an investment portfolio worth over €1 million from 1,000 private investors. In 2024, Forbes magazine named him one of the 30 most influential young people in Greece.

Alexandros Papapostolou

Business Strategy Director | PAPAPOSTOLOU Healthcare Technologies, Angel Investor HeBAN

Throughout my 20 years experience in leadership positions at established companies I have been driving organizational development by aligning human capital growth, operational transformation, and achieving financial goals to serve sustainable corporate strategies along stakeholders’ core values. In recent years, I’ve been increasingly fascinated by the innovation ecosystem and have shifted my focus toward helping forward-thinking teams grow new ideas into sustainable ventures with real-world impact.

My industry experience spans Healthcare, HVAC, and technology-driven products, primarily marketed through B2B channels. My career began in financial management and progressively expanded into commercial leadership and organizational development — a journey that has given me a holistic perspective that links strategic intent with practical execution across the business.

During my involvement in the Greek innovation ecosystem, I have been a member of HeBAN, an instructor at Venture Garden, a mentor to start-up teams, and a speaker at conferences. I’ve been actively supporting founders, building networks with key stakeholders, and investing in promising ventures.

I hold degrees in Business Administration and Economics and a Masters in Operational Research from the London School of Economics. I have attended several executive and professional development programs over the years, most recently the Cambridge JBS & FT Strategy Program and most related to start-ups the Masterclasses “Design Sprint” by Jake Knapp and the “Invincible Company” by A. Osterwalder.

Fotios Arvanitidis

Economist, MBA Member of the Board of Directors of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce President of the Committee for Youth Entrepreneurship and New Businesses General Manager THESMOS EMPORIKI IKE

Fotios Arvanitidis is an Economist and MBA holder, serving as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce. He is also the President of the Committee for Youth Entrepreneurship and New Businesses, actively promoting innovation and supporting the next generation of founders in the region.

In the private sector, he is the General Manager of THESMOS EMPORIKI IKE, the official ice cream distributor of the Algida Ice Cream Company portfolio, including Algida, EVGA, Magic, Cornetto, Ben & Jerry’s, and Carte D’Or.

He is also the Owner and Manager of “Moka Stores,” a growing retail brand known for quality products and strong customer engagement.

Combining strategic leadership with hands-on business experience, he contributes significantly to the development of Thessaloniki’s commercial and entrepreneurial landscape.

Radamanthys Tsotsos

Consultant, Risk Management, Strategy & Project Management ERGOPLANNING Group

Radamanthys Tsotsos is a Senior Executive with 25 years of experience in capital markets, energy systems and EU-funded innovation projects, with a strong focus on risk and sustainability. He serves as a consultant to the ERGOPLANNING Group in risk management, strategy and project management, supporting governance and growth across a broad portfolio of R&D and investment projects in energy, bioeconomy and agri-food value chains.He contributes to Horizon Europe projects in advanced biofuels, solar-to-hydrogen and biomethane, as well as to national initiatives in bioenergy, circular economy and sustainable primary production.

He spent two decades at the Athens Stock Exchange Group, where he helped design risk frameworks and market structures, and has advised the Hellenic Energy Exchange Group (EnExGroup) on enterprise and operational risk management and regulatory compliance. Radamanthys has delivered more than 40 seminars and lectures to professionals and students on risk management, energy markets and capital markets.

He holds an MSc in Project Analysis, Finance & Investment from the University of York and a BSc in Economics from the University of Macedonia and is a Certified Sustainability Officer (HARIMA, 2025). He combines strong quantitative skills with hands-on experience in EU programmes and regulatory environments.

As a mentor, he can help startups structure risk and governance models, refine sustainable business models and investment cases, and navigate the intersection of technology, regulation and market entry.

Indicative mentoring focus areas for startups:

Risk management frameworks and governance
Market entry and business models in energy and sustainability
Investment readiness, project financing and stakeholder management
 

Emanuil Vasigia

Founder of Instasite

Emanuil Vasigia is the founder of Instantsite, an AI-powered platform that enables anyone to create a complete, ready-to-publish website in minutes. With a strong focus on SaaS product development, he works across software engineering, UX/UI design, and AI-driven automation.

Through Instantsite and Ypographi, his web development and marketing company, he has gained hands-on experience in building, launching, and iterating digital products with an emphasis on user experience, rapid prototyping, and practical, results-oriented execution.

Dr. Themistoklis Sfetsas

CEO and R&D Manager QLAB

Dr. Themistoklis Sfetsas is a chemist specialising in bio-based processes and analytical chemistry. He holds a BSc in Organic Chemistry & Biochemistry and an MSc in Chemistry Didactics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH).

In 2025, he completed his PhD on anaerobic digestion effluent treatment via microalgae cultivation. He has long research experience at CPERI/CERTH and is the CEO and R&D Manager of QLAB since 2012. His work focuses on biofuels, biomass, bioenergy, chromatographic analysis, and microalgae-based remediation.

He has published in leading journals and serves as a reviewer. He has coordinated and participated in numerous national and EU-funded projects (e.g. Horizon, Eranet, Epanek). He has led work packages in Zeocat-3D, Biomethaverse, Photosint, and Fuelphoria.

He also acts as an Innovation Facilitator in agri-food projects under the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, and environmental and energy projects under the Ministry of Environment and Energy. He is an advocate of applied research for sustainability and circular bioeconomy.

Yuval Grayzer

Startup Instructor

With 20 years at the intersection of technology, business, and real user needs—and experience co-founding two startups—I help entrepreneurs turn early ideas into clear, buildable, and fundable ventures. I support founders from idea-stage to Series A with defining the problem and value proposition, shaping the business and go-to-market strategy, crafting the investor story, and outlining a realistic MVP and software plan.