The 7th Annual Venture Fair of The Hellenic Initiative (THI), one of the largest startup events in Greece, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators from the United States, UK, Australia, Canada, and Greece, was held on June 6 in the packed ballroom of the Grande Bretagne hotel in Athens. The pitching competition for startups provides crucial exposure to significant investors and funds, and the winning team receives $25,000.
Founded in 2012, THI is a global non-profit organization that brings together Diaspora Greeks and Philhellenes to invest in Greece today through programs focused on economic development and crisis relief. Since its founding, THI has invested approximately $20 million in Greece.
THI officials, Venture Fair judges, and competitors gather for a commemorative photo. (Photo by Constantine S. Sirigos)
The Venture Fair also featured a panel discussion on Greece’s economic progress and prospects moderated by Eleni Varvitsiotis, Athens Correspondent of the Financial Times. The panel included U.S. Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis, Andrew Liveris, THI Board Chairman Andrew Liveris, THI Executive Committee Member John Koudounis, and THI Board Members Jeremy Downward and Nikos Stathopoulos, who welcomed the guests. Closing remarks were offered by THI Board President George Stamas, who also announced the winning company, Clio Muse, and noted how difficult the choice was because “all ten companies are winners,” words echoed by Daphne Tsevreni, Co-Founder Clio Muse, who congratulated her fellow entrepreneurs.
The rest of the competing companies were: Advantis, Dataviva, Evo – For Human Performance, Finclude, Hosthub, Finloup, Vimachem, Vimodji, and Wecook.
