Athens, June 28 2016
The Hellenic Initiative – TΗΙ announced a $50,000 grant for the year 2016-2017 to support the MIT Enterprise Forum Greece, as part of THI’s programs focusing on technology entrepreneurship in the country. This grant will support MITEF Greece efforts empowering Greek innovative technology professionals, promoting the innovation economy. The programs of the MIT Enterprise Forum Greece include:
The “StartSmart Conference”: a one-day conference that inspires, connects, coaches, and informs technology entrepreneurs to succeed faster and smarter. Through curated, relevant, and experience-based programming, entrepreneurs gain the knowledge that will help them take their venture to the next step.
The “Tech That Matters” events, that offer unique opportunities for entrepreneurial inspiration and networking. The events are designed to inspire and connect the members of the entire tech community such as entrepreneurs, startup members, academics, students, investors and business executives. MITEF Greece has organized in the past 4 “Technologies That Matter” events focusing on Genomics & Biotech, Robotics, Big Data and IoT.
The “MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF) Greece Startup Competition”, that identifies promising Greek technology startups and accelerates them to the global market. The MITEF Greece Startup Competition is a technology accelerating competition, that provides access to the practical knowledge, mentorship, and resources to take Greek ventures to the next level.
Hands-on workshops providing capacity-building for the semifinalists and members of the technology community mentored by local and international partners.
The “MIT Bootcamp,” a special program organized at MIT, that includes hands-on workshops, roadshow activities and networking. Moreover, it serves as a nexus connecting entrepreneurs from around the world to the entrepreneurial ecosystem surrounding the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Furthermore, MITEF Greece aims to increase the international visibility of Greek technology companies. As a result, it works with MITEF Global and MIT Technology Review that report inspiring stories from Greece to its affluent global readership. In addition to the above, MITEF Greece has also organized a virtual group, the Greek Tech Diaspora, that gives the opportunity to Greek technology entrepreneurs, that run through the competition, to seek partners, investors and customers. Finally, it organizes international workshops and roadshow activities.
Michael Printzos, THI’s Program Director, stated: “We are glad to announce this grant, which underlines the importance of MIT Enterprise Forum Greece and its significant efforts in youth technology entrepreneurship. Through such sponsorships, The Hellenic Initiative inspires young people and strengthens Greek innovative ideas, that boost the economy, foster growth and serve to relieve the Greek crisis”.
Mr. Vasilis Papakonstantinou, Head of the MIT Enterprise Forum Greece Board of Directors added: “MIT Enterprise Forum Greece expresses its gratitude to The Hellenic Initiative for its grant supporting the causes of our Forum. This support enables us to overcome barriers, unlock youth potentials and work successfully towards introducing innovation economy as well as entrepreneurship spirit to the country”.
About The Hellenic Initiative:
Our Mission: Investing in the future of Greece through direct philanthropy and economic revitalization. We empower people to provide crisis relief, encourage entrepreneurs, and create jobs. We are The Hellenic Initiative (THI) – a global movement of the Greek Diaspora.
Visit our website: https://thehellenicinitiative.org/
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thehellenicinitiative
Follow us on Twitter: @THI_OneGreece
About the MIT Enterprise Forum Greece:
MIT Enterprise Forum Greece was established in 2013 under Greek Law as a non-profit association and is the Greek chapter of the global, not for profit MIT Enterprise Forum. It is a high-powered community of dedicated staff and volunteers with a range of experiences and areas of expertise, which believes that technology can solve big problems and do powerful things. MIT Enterprise Forum Greece shares a common passion for empowering Greek dynamic and innovative technology professionals, in order to promote innovation economy and activate their potentials.