Startup Greece: A Reflective Journey Through 2023

Hello Everyone, and a Happy New Year! As we find ourselves a week into the fresh year, we have taken a moment to glance back at 2023. We’ve reflected on our accomplishments, revisited the exciting projects we were a part of, remembered our delegations across the globe, and marveled at how far we’ve come.

Let’s revisit some moments that stood out the most for us the past year!

January

Last year started with a bang, as we organized the first Greek Delegation to Davos, shining a global spotlight on the Greek Startup Ecosystem. Our SG Delegation facilitated connections for ten Greek leaders within the World Economic Forum network.

Additionally, we co-hosted the World Innovation Economics (WIE) at Sunstar Hotel, diving into the latest startup trends.

March

Our Managing Director, Thanos Paraschos, represented young entrepreneurs at the OECD-EU Youth Entrepreneurship Policy Academy. We sealed a key partnership, joining the Thinc Thrace incubator project to provide counseling and mentoring for aspiring entrepreneurs. The successful conclusion of our ‘DigiYouth’ project with Romanian partners marked a culmination of various activities and tours later this year.

April

Later on this spring, we visited Bulgaria for the KA2 project “Green Leadership for Hotel Managers,” setting the stage for activities up until September.

In the same month, our MD,  started his journey in the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Program in the U.S.A., sponsored by the U.S. government.

May

For Thanos as the American journey continued, he found himself connecting with the Greek diaspora and industry entrepreneurs.

In the same month, we made Career Day at the University of Peloponnese happen! We engaged with ambitious students, shared invaluable ideas to enhance their CVs, and provided them with incredible opportunities for a head-start in their professional careers.

As we continued, staying true to our always-evolving approach we partnered with the innovative startup Moveo! This collaboration marked the beginning of the journey called Artificial Intelligence, starting with the integration of a virtual AI assistant on our website. By now we believe that you have met her; her name is Maria.

The last thing we did in May, was to extend our collaborative spirit to Poland under the KA1 project “You Can Make a Change,” focusing on empowering young individuals.

June

In June, Thanos finished his travel across the USA, with the last stop being California. He, there, got the chance to have hands-on experience with California’s advanced startup ecosystem. From there, he headed to Toronto, connecting with Canada’s startup community and proudly expanding our global reach.

In the meantime, team members visited neighboring Turkey, and collaborated on the ‘Think, Share, Apply’ project promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among young people.

Towards the end of June, three Youth Ambassadors represented us in the EUYouth4EUGoals project, connecting with like-minded youth and amplifying their voices on European Union goals. Excited to empower them and provide a voice for the youth in Europe!

July

During this month we managed to be partners in five Erasmus+ co-funded projects across Europe, centered on education and youth entrepreneurship. These initiatives aimed to equip young minds with essential skills, nurturing them into global citizens ready to shape the future!

August

August was a month that brought the air of renewal to the organization, marking a significant milestone and the beginning of a long journey!

On August 25th, Greece welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a historic visit, marking the first by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades. Startup Greece, represented by Managing Director Thanos Paraschos, played a privileged role in this pivotal moment. Thanos addressed the Indian media, sharing his visionary perspective on the Indo-Greek partnership, highlighting numerous opportunities, especially in the thriving startup ecosystem.

September

Was no exception when it came to global endeavors, having everyone on the move!

Our MD’s first stop of the month was at the YTILI SUMMIT in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where he collaborated with 100+ leaders. Next, he flew to Oslo Innovation Week, where he strengthened ties with our partners from BIFROST, connecting Norwegian-Greek startup ecosystems. In Krakow, Poland, he explored the regional startup scene and initiated the Erasmus+ ‘Project Work without borders.’

Our SG Ambassadors, in the meanwhile, visited Bucharest for a three-day EUYouth4EUGoals workshop, focusing on promoting Inclusive Societies. Romania extended our impact through the DigiYouth project, concluding with a successful pilot testing phase. These efforts showcased our commitment to innovation and collaboration, shaping a brighter future for startups and communities.

October

The start of the month had us visiting our birthplace Chania, Crete. There, at the Technical University of Crete, we presented at the event ‘Opportunities for Researchers, Spinoffs, and Startups in the Greek Startup Ecosystem.’ Days later, we contributed to youth entrepreneurship policies at the ‘Youth Entrepreneurship Policy Academy,’ a virtual event co-hosted by the OECD and the European Commission. 

As we continued the month, our representative, Manos Siganakis, focused on Greek startups and sustainability at the 16th International Scientific Conference on Energy and Climate Change. But when you were about to think that our global journey had come to a pause, we continued with a trip to the Maldives. There, we participated in the transnational project meeting for Sustainability in the Tourism sector, emphasizing startups as catalysts.

From there, our long anticipated journey to India, finally started, with our MD, Thanos, immersing in the local entrepreneurial scene and making valuable connections. 

Meanwhile, SG Ambassador George Kractopoulos engaged in the EYYouth4EUGoals project in Vilnius, Lithuania, centering on ‘Information & Constructive Dialogue.’

November

We proudly wrapped up our first-ever delegation to India, which was a success, setting the tone for valuable endeavors and partnerships, paving the way for a future of collaboration between the two nations. Our journey then continued to Bilbao, Spain, and the SME Assembly, followed by the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal. Thanos, engaged with Greek startup founders, fostering connections and showcasing Greek startup potential, leaving us with impactful connections and renewed enthusiasm for dynamic startup scenes.

Simultaneously, our SG Youth Ambassadors didn’t rest either! They participated in the EUYouth4EUGoals workshop in Valencia, focusing on the 5th EU goal of ‘Mental health & well-being.’ Discussions included the impact of COVID-19 on social interactions, providing insightful perspectives. 

The month finished with our MD visiting back San Francisco, to find himself immersing, yet again, in the local startup ecosystem and connecting with innovative minds and organizations unlocking potential.

December

Having everyone back to their bases in Greece, Startup Greece successfully concluded its latest initiative, SG at Universities: ‘Opportunities for Young Engineers,’ held in Chania, Thessaloniki, and Tripoli. These events brought together a diverse mix of aspiring engineers, Startup Greece friends, and global professionals. Engaging in insightful conversations, participants explored key themes such as CV advancement, pursuing PhDs, personal growth paths, and startup essentials. The events also highlighted exciting internship opportunities within the organization and through the startup network.

As we step into the new year, let’s keep the vibe of curiosity, love for innovation, and the passion for creating positive change. After what we achieved in 2023, we’re excited about what lies ahead. We’re looking forward to a future full of chances, where each thing we do brings us closer to the community we’re all building together.

From the whole Startup Greece team; Thank you for being part of our journey. Your support, excitement, and collaboration have been what keeps us going. We hope your year will be full of achievements, exciting new adventures, and all the things you dream of coming true.

Stay tuned for what lies ahead!