Panathēnea Festival: Athens’ Bold New Global Stage for Innovation

Athens has always been a city of ideas where art, philosophy, and democracy were born. This year, a new generation reimagined that spirit for the 21st century with the launch of Panathēnea, a modern celebration of innovation that is quickly becoming a must-attend event for global creators.

From 7–9 May 2025, more than 3,100 people from 44 countries descended on Athens for the inaugural festival - a three-day city takeover where technology met culture, and conversations turned into real outcomes. At the Athens Conservatoire, 1,300 founders and 600 investors packed into two high-energy mornings to share ideas, strike deals, and set bold ambitions in motion. Across the city, 34 side events transformed rooftops, galleries, gardens, and courtyards into hubs of connection.

“It felt like the start of something - and it was,” says co-founder Evi Kourounakou. “Our goal was to unite people from the worlds of startups, tech, and art, and to create a space where big ideas can grow. What happened over those three days exceeded all expectations.”

A Modern Echo of the Ancient Games

The name Panathēnea pays homage to the ancient festival that once united all of Athens in celebration and competition. True to that heritage, the modern edition was built around three pillars: Connection, Competition, and Celebration. Mornings were devoted to keynotes, workshops, and a high-stakes startup pitching competition, while afternoons and evenings unfolded through curated networking events and immersive city-wide experiences. The festival closed with an epic street party under the Acropolis, fusing the city’s ancient beauty with its future-facing energy.

Speakers from global giants such as Canva, Microsoft, Amazon, and OpenAI joined local founders and investors to discuss everything from artificial intelligence to creative entrepreneurship. Highlights included a live conversation with Canva’s Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, and an appearance by pop icon Ke$ha, who shared the story of her own startup, Smash. More than 2,200 formal meetings were booked through the app - with countless more connections happening spontaneously in taxis, cafés, and late-night bars.

Athens as Europe’s Next Startup Hub

Industry observers, including Forbes contributor Timothy Papandreou, hailed Panathēnea as a defining moment for Athens’ startup ecosystem. “This was more than a tech conference - it was a bright signal flare that Athens is ready to take its rightful place on the global startup map,” he wrote, noting the city’s highly educated talent pool, strategic location, and lower cost of operations compared to other European hubs.

While Greece has faced economic hardship in recent years, Panathēnea’s energy spoke of a city that is not just recovering but reinventing itself. Founders, VCs, and policymakers are now working to build on the momentum - streamlining infrastructure, encouraging mentorship, and cultivating a risk-tolerant investment culture to accelerate growth.

Panathēnea 2026

The team behind Panathēnea is already preparing for its next edition, set to return to Athens in May 2026 - bigger, bolder, and even more global. “We want Panathēnea to be the place where the world’s most creative minds meet, and where bold ideas that can change the world are born,” says Kourounakou.

For those who missed it this year, Athens is calling - and next May might just be the right time to answer.

Learn more at panathenea.org

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