Celebrating 11 years of contribution to a better future for the country
Building on the successful momentum of previous editions, the 7th Annual Venture Fair Pitching Competition for Startups was organized on Tuesday, June 6 by The Hellenic Initiative (THI) at Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens.
The Venture Fair, one of the largest startup events in Greece, has become a platform for the country’s vibrant startup ecosystem and a magnet for investment and capital in Greece. Since 2015, a total of 72 startups have taken the stage to present at this forum. These startups then raised nearly $500 million in investment, creating around 1,500 jobs in Greece.
A day of connection, valuable information and innovative ideas, this year’s Venture Fair brought together Greece’s brightest and most talented entrepreneurs with leading figures from the Greek and global business and investment world.
Ten startups selected by THI from various sectors pitched their pitches to an expert panel of judges comprised of THI board members, major donors, supporters and stakeholders. Advantis Medical Imaging, Clio Muse Tours, Dataviva, EVO Human Performance, Finclude, Finloup, Hosthub, Vimachem, Vimodji and Wecook were the contest participants.
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A shortlist of 5 companies was selected, followed by a short Q&A session.
Clio Muse Tours took home the pitch competition crown (and a $25,000 cash prize from THI).
Congratulating the participating companies, THI Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board, George P. Stamas said, “Our first investment fair in Athens was held in 2015. Since then, every year we select the best and brightest of the burgeoning Greek venture capital community and provided them with a forum to showcase and received funding from a broad base of investors who see the opportunity that Greek entrepreneurs can offer. Congratulations to this year’s presenters and we wish them the best.
As part of the event, a round table was held, entitled Why Greece? Why Now?, with US Ambassador to Greece George J. Tsunis, THI Board Chairman Andrew N. Liveris, THI Executive Committee Member John Koudounis, THI Board Member directors of THI, Jeremy Downward, and THI Venture Fair Chairman and THI Board Member, Nikos Stathopoulos. , who exchanged ideas and views on Greece’s profile as an attractive business and investment destination and a growing innovation hub. The discussion was moderated by Eleni Varvitsiotis, Athens correspondent for the Financial Times.
Nikos Stathopoulos, Chairman of THI Venture Fair, Board Member of THI and President of Europe at BC Partners, said: “Greece’s true potential lies in its remarkable human capital, entrepreneurial spirit and his unwavering determination. The Hellenic Initiative Venture Fair demonstrates the collective commitment of the diaspora to fostering innovation, driving economic growth and building a better future for Greece. This year’s participating teams join a distinguished group of 72 others from previous Venture Fair events, who have collectively raised nearly $500 million in investment from Greek and foreign investors, while creating more than 1,500 jobs in Greece.
The American Ambassador to Greece, George J. Tsunis, said: “It is wonderful to be here today, in Great Britain, in beautiful Athens. The global diaspora came to Athens to talk about regeneration, to discuss how to modernize and help the Greek economy. Over the past two years, Greece has experienced the fastest economic growth in Europe. And I hope it continues. Investors have noted that foreign direct investment in Greece is at record levels, unemployment is falling dramatically, the country has an excellent debt profile and the economy is becoming very dynamic. Greece and the United States are working together to bring peace, stability, and prosperity to the region. We are here today to discuss ways to take economic relations to a new level. The United States is committed to making the U.S.-Greece relationship stronger than ever in all areas: intelligence, military, education, culture and economics. »
Past Venture Fair successes include some of the most successful Greek start-ups, such as Blueground, Spotawheel, Natech, Think Silicon and Accusonus.
Building on 11 years of impact, THI has become the largest Greek Diaspora organization in the world and has received the support of thousands of Greeks, Greeks in the Diaspora and Philhellenes. As part of its mission to invest, empower and encourage a better future for Greece, THI has made direct investments of over $20 million in entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofit organizations nonprofits and social enterprises in Greece. On the social welfare front, THI has distributed more than 2 million meals to individuals and families in need and provided essential medical aid to thousands of Greeks. With a strong focus on Greece’s economic development, THI has helped create more than 4,000 jobs by reversing the flow of young professionals out of the country and helped more than 200 startups access capital networks and expertise.
About the Hellenic Initiative
Our Mission: The Hellenic Initiative is a global non-profit organization that brings together Greeks in the Diaspora and Philhellenes to invest in the future of Greece through programs focused on crisis relief, entrepreneurship and economic development. We are THI, a global Greek diaspora movement.
Visit our website: thehellenicinitiative.org
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