Venture Boldly: Women Igniting Innovation

When: Tuesday, November 25, 2025, | 10:00-15:00
Where: ACG Events Hall, 6 Gravias str, Aghia Paraskevi, 153 42, Athens

Organized by:
Office of Innovation and Industrial Collaborations, The American College of Greece (ACG)

In collaboration with:
Lean In Club & Entrepreneurship Management program, Deree – The American College of Greece

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About the event

This event celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship led by female founders and venture capitalists (VCs). Accomplished and inspired speakers will share their experiences and best practices, highlighting opportunities and challenges across the startup ecosystem. Together, we will celebrate female founders and funders shaping the future of Tech, Marketplaces, and Services.

The event is free and open to the public. Parking on campus, upon availability.

Registration will start at 9:30 for those that want to participate in the event and haven’t registered,

For further clarifications, please contact [email protected]

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Event Agenda

09:30-10:15 | Registration & Coffee

10:15-10:20 | Welcome & Agenda Overview
• Dr. Edward Wingenbach, President, The American College of Greece
• Maria Pallidou, Associate Lecturer and Director of Innovation and Industrial Collaborations, The American College of Greece

10:20-10:30 | Keynote Address
Elomida Visviki, Co-Founder, Panathēnea and Mentor; Entrepreneur & Angel Investor

10:30-10:50 | Fireside Chat – Women Leading in Tech
Ioanna Zergioti (PhosPrint); Elena Barla (future brAIn)
Moderator: Panagiotis Kougioumtzis, Finance Major (Deree-ACG)

10:50-11:30 | Panel – Women Who Lead: What Attracts Investor Support
Katerina Pramatari (UniFund VC); Melina Mai (Big Pi Ventures)
Moderator: Dimitris Dikos, Finance Major (Deree-ACG)

11:30-12:15 | Panel – Building Bold in Services & Marketplaces
Evelina Mavrides (CLEAN i.T); Natalie Levi (Nannuka & LDNL Family Office);
Michaela Plaka (Cordella); Vicky Klimi (Grandmama)
Moderator: Tina Mavridi, Marketing Major (Deree-ACG)

12:15-12:45 | Panel – Health Innovation for the Real World
Alexia Polissidis (Anacalypsis Therapeutics); Varvara Geladaki (RODI Fertility)
Moderator: Annie Stratiki, Entrepreneurship Major (Deree – ACG)

12:45-13:15 | Panel – Ecosystems & Acceleration
Arianna Ioannidou (egg – enter grow go); Varvara Vasilaki (NCSR Demokritos);
Stamatiki Kritas (Hellenic Bio Cluster)
Moderator: Dr. Katerina Voutsina, Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator (Deree – ACG)

13:15-13:45 | Panel – Founders as Impact Investors
Lela Dritsa (Nannuka & LDNL Family Office); Elomida Visviki (Panathēnea)
Moderator: Arianna Ioannidou (egg – enter grow go)

13:45-14:00 | Closing Circle – Reflections & Commitments
Open mic session for reflections and key takeaways
Maria Pallidou (Deree – ACG)
Ioanna Tsimplaki, International Business Major (Deree-ACG)

14:00-15:00 | Networking Lunch

15:00 | Event Concludes

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Αbout the panelists

Elena BARLA
Co-Founder & CEO at future brAIn
Elena is a repeat tech entrepreneur, engineer and C-level executive with 20 years of multinational experience in tech, M&As, HR, strategy and digital transformation. She has held leadership roles at Elsevier, Procter & Gamble, Ericsson, and Stanton Chase across Italy, the UK, and Greece. She holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from NTUA, an MBA from SDA Bocconi and executive education from Harvard Medical School. Her work has been published in international journals and conferences. In 2013, she founded Among Doctors, a multi-award-winning digital health platform ranked among the Top 9 Social Networks for Physicians worldwide. In 2023, she co-founded future brAIn, an AI-based SaaS shaping the Future of Work through real-time culture & engagement analytics. Recognized among the Top 30 Greek Women in Tech (by The Recursive), Elena is a passionate advocate for female empowerment, actively contributing through speeches, articles, mentoring and thought leadership.

Lela G. DRITSA
Co-Founder, Nannuka
Lela G. Dritsa envisioned Nannuka in 2013, transforming it into Greece’s largest online care platform. Inspired by her experience as a working mother, she created a trusted solution for families seeking reliable support. Her entrepreneurial impact has earned her recognition among Forbes’ 100 Women Entrepreneurs in Europe and Fortune’s “40 under 40”. Building on this journey, Lela co-founded LDNL Family Office, investing in women-led startups through capital, mentorship, and strategic guidance, as well as the Θemelio Foundation, which advances elderly care, social inclusion, and digital literacy. She holds a BA from Deree – The American College of Greece and an MA from City University London, and remains a lifelong learner, open to new perspectives shaping the future.

Dr. Barbara GELADAKIS
Founder & CEO, RODI Fertility
Dr. Barbara Geladakis, Pierce – ACG alumna, is a physician-scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur specializing in reproductive immunology and fertility care. An authority on immune-mediated reproductive failure, she has over a decade of clinical practice and in 2018 founded RODI Fertility in New York, later expanding to Greece and Cyprus. As Founder & CEO, she leads R&D, clinical validation, and international commercialization, delivering first-in-class solutions recognized for their scientific rigor, market traction, and social impact. A prolific inventor, Dr. Geladakis holds multiple patents worldwide and has authored several clinical studies, including contributions to Immunobiology of Recurrent Miscarriage. She is a regular speaker at major scientific and entrepreneurship forums, including ESRI, ESHRE, EFI, and the World Economic Forum, and has received awards such as the Panhellenic Congress of Autoimmune Diseases (2019). Fluent in five languages, she is a member of HSI and ESRI, committed to translating science into solutions that restore hope for couples facing immune-related fertility challenges.

Arianna IOANNIDOU
Community Manager, egg – enter grow go
Arianna Ioannidou is a Community Manager at egg, a prominent business accelerator, where she drives innovation at the intersection of sustainability and technology. She leverages her expertise to foster startup growth and embed sustainable principles into the core of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Arianna holds an MSc in Sustainability Science, Policy, and Society and is committed to building collaborative communities for positive global change.

 

Vicky KLIMI
Co-Founder & CEO, Grandmama
With over 20 years of leadership experience in Greece and abroad, Vicky Klimi specializes in Home Healthcare. She previously served as Board Member and General Manager at BIOAXIS Healthcare SEE before founding GRANDMAMA S.A. and the platform grandmama.gr in 2020, aiming to revolutionize elderly homecare in Greece and India. Passionate about empowering people, Vicky promotes women’s leadership across the Middle East and Greece. She holds a Business Administration degree from the University of La Verne (California) and a Coaching certification from the Athens Coaching Institute. Vicky is an active member of the Hellenic Gerontology & Geriatrics Association, served as Community Service Chair at the American Women’s Organization in Greece, and is part of Empower Women (UN Women). She has been recognized as a Truthteller at Women for One and a Global Ambassador at WomenTech Network.

Stamatiki KRITAS
Cluster Manager, Hellenic Biocluster | Managing Director, Council of European Bioregions (CEBR)
Stamatiki Kritas has extensive experience in clinical research and developing technologies for improved disease diagnosis. She now focuses on business development, innovation support, and cluster management, driving innovation success by creating partnerships and identifying new collaboration opportunities in Life Sciences. Known for her ability to connect with key decision makers, Stamatiki builds lasting partnerships that sustain growth and foster innovation.

 

Natalie LEVI
CEO & Co-Founder, Nannuka
Natalie Levi is the CEO & Co-Founder of Nannuka, Greece’s leading online care platform connecting families with trusted professionals. An alumna of the American College of Greece, she is passionate about innovation, purpose, and building impactful brands that empower communities. She also co-founded LDNL, an angel investment initiative backing women-led startups, and is an active member of Blossom, a network of women investors shaping the future of entrepreneurship. Through ventures such as the Θemelion Foundation, Natalie drives change, challenges the status quo, and creates opportunities with lasting impact.

Melina MAI
Investment Manager, Big Pi Ventures
Melina Mai is an Investment Manager at Big Pi Ventures, a multi-stage VC fund with over €240M AUM. She invests €500K–€3M in early-stage companies, focusing on AI, Robotics, B2B SaaS, Life Sciences, and Climate-tech. Her role spans sourcing, due diligence, deal structuring, and supporting portfolio startups. Previously, Melina was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company, advising leading firms in Energy, Banking, Insurance, and Telecommunications. She holds an Integrated master’s in electrical and computer engineering from the National Technical University of Athens, where her thesis focused on deep learning.

Evelina MAVRIDES
Founder & CEO, CLEAN i.T | Forbes 30 Under 30 Greece | TEDx Speaker
Evelina Mavrides, Deree – ACG alumna, is the Founder & CEO of CLEAN i.T, a tech-enabled marketplace transforming how people and businesses access cleaning services. Her company has been featured on Dragons’ Den and selected for the Envolve XL Accelerator for its innovative model that merges technology with measurable impact. Through CLEAN i.T, Evelina champions sustainability, dignity, and opportunity—reducing product waste, fighting stigma in the cleaning industry, and empowering cleaners with training, academic support, and health benefits. Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 Greece and as a TEDx Speaker, her vision is to scale a business that delivers both convenience and lasting social and environmental change.

Michaela PLAKA
Founder & CEO, Cordella
Michaela Plaka, Deree alumna, is the Founder & CEO of Cordella, Greece’s first online gift registry designed for every life occasion. She previously built her career in advertising with agencies including Ogilvy, McCann, AMV BBDO, and Saatchi & Saatchi, delivering digital and 360° campaigns for major brands across Greece and the UK. Combining her international agency experience with entrepreneurial vision, Michaela is reimagining the way people give and receive gifts.

 

Alexia POLISSIDIS
Co-Founder & CEO, Anacalypsis Therapeutics
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Deree – The American College of Greece
Alexia Polissidis is Co-Founder & CEO of Anacalypsis Therapeutics, a biotech start-up developing disease-modifying therapies and biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease. She also serves as Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at Deree – The American College of Greece and as a collaborating researcher at the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens. Born in Canada, Alexia studied Pharmacology (BSc, Honors) at the University of Alberta, earned a PhD in Psychopharmacology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and completed postdoctoral research at BRFAA specializing in neurodegenerative diseases. A scientist-founder bridging academia and innovation, Alexia is also a champion for women in STEM. She founded WIBS: Women in Biomedical Sciences in 2022, participated in Epistimi, and, as a Fellow of the Center for Excellence in Sustainability (CoES) of The American College of Greece (ACG), now leads the ΦSTEM Women in STEM initiative at ACG. Her vision is to accelerate transformative therapies for Parkinson’s and empower the next generation of women innovators in science.

Katerina PRAMATARI
Founding Partner, Uni.Fund | Professor, Athens University of Economics and Business
Katerina Pramatari is a Founding Partner at Uni.Fund and Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business. She has reviewed over 2,000 investment cases and supported portfolio companies through key growth stages. Her research expertise spans digital services, IoT, retail, and business analytics, and she has also founded two tech startups. She co-founded and serves as scientific coordinator of ACEin, one of Europe’s leading university accelerators, actively supporting innovation ecosystems and helping researchers and teams take their first entrepreneurial steps.

Varvara VASILAKI
Head of Technology Transfer, NCSR Demokritos
Varvara Vasilaki is an economist specializing in sustainable development and innovation, with extensive international experience in corporate and organizational projects. Her expertise spans policy analysis, gender equality, and women’s entrepreneurship, gained through work in multicultural settings across more than four countries. For the past six years, she has supported business growth, funding, and internationalization. As Head of the Technology Transfer Office at NCSR Demokritos, Varvara focuses on commercializing research outcomes, helping transform scientific findings into viable ventures that drive innovation and economic growth.

Elomida VISVIKI
Co-Founder, Panathēnea and Mentor | Entrepreneur & Angel Investor
Elomida Visviki is an Angel Investor, Panathēnea co-founder/mentor, and champion of bold ideas and passionate founders. Her diverse almost 3 decades-long career—spanning banking, communications, healthcare NGOs, and tech—informs her hands-on approach to early-stage investing. Elomida is dedicated to building a thriving innovative ecosystem, supporting visionary leaders who are driven by purpose and empathy. Currently, that passion finds its fullest expression in Panathēnea, an NGO reimagining the ancient Panathenaea festival as a cutting-edge, student-driven international platform for innovation and collaboration. “Cash or Trash” TV viewers may recognize her but friends know her as an occasional sea urchin hunter who loves bringing people together over good homemade meals.

Ioanna ZERGIOTI
CEO, PhosPrint PC | Professor, National Technical University of Athens
Ioanna Zergioti is a world-leading expert in laser printing with over 30 years of experience. Among the first to demonstrate the use of laser printing for solid-phase DNA transfer, she has conducted research at institutions including UC Berkeley, Max Planck Institute, Philips CFT, and Oxford Lasers Ltd. Her expertise spans laser-matter interaction, nanomaterials processing, and laser bioprinting. She is co-author of more than 200 publications and inventor on 7 patents, while also serving as CEO of PhosPrint PC and Professor at the National Technical University of Athens.

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About the moderators

Dimitris DIKOS
Intern, Evercurious VC | Finance Student, Deree – ACG
Dimitris Dikos is a fourth-year Finance student at The American College of Greece with a strong interest in startups, venture capital, and emerging technologies. He is currently completing an internship at Evercurious VC, a deep-tech-focused venture capital firm, gaining hands-on experience in evaluating and supporting early-stage innovation. With prior experience in business development and operations roles within the tech sector, Dimitris combines analytical thinking with an entrepreneurial mindset. He is passionate about the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology, and how these shape the next generation of ventures and investment opportunities.

 

Panagiotis KOUGIOUMTZIS
Administrative Assistant at the Office of Innovation and Industrial Collaborations | Secretary – Accounting and Finance Society | BSc (Hons)Finance, Deree – ACG
Panagiotis Kougioumtzis is an Honors student in Finance at The American College of Greece, recognized with the Emerging Leader Award 2025 for his exceptional leadership and academic achievement. He currently serves as Administrative Assistant at the Office of Innovation and Industrial Collaborations and Secretary of the Accounting and Finance Society, contributing to initiatives that bridge academia, innovation, and professional growth. Previously, Panagiotis worked at Student Academic Support Services as a Student Learning Facilitator, helping peers achieve academic excellence. As former President of the Deree Student Association, he continues to promote collaboration, leadership, and student engagement across the ACG community.

Tina MAVRIDI
Vice President Lean in Circle Club | PR & Social Media Manager Marketing Society; Minor in Leadership & Management, Deree – ACG | Intern Marketing Purina, Nestlé
A Marketing student with a minor in Leadership and Management at Deree – The American College of Greece, Tina Mavridi is passionate about the creative world of social media and advertising, exploring how brands connect with people through storytelling and digital strategies. She currently works at Nestlé, supporting the Purina brand as a Marketing Expert, where she combines creativity with data-driven insight to build engaging campaigns. Additionally, she is the Vice President of the Lean in Circles Club and the PR & Social media manager of the Marketing Society at Deree – ACG. Previously, Tina served as Vice President of the Deree Student Association, fostering student leadership and collaboration across campus. Beyond academics, she is a food enthusiast who loves sharing authentic reviews and discovering new flavors, as well as an avid traveler inspired by cultures worldwide. Always eager to learn and grow, Tina strives to merge creativity, strategy, and leadership in everything she does.

Steriani STRATIKI
President, Lean In Circle Club | Entrepreneurship Management Major, Deree – ACG
Stratiki Stergiani is pursuing a degree in Entrepreneurship Management and serves as President of the Lean In Circle Club at Deree – The American College of Greece. Passionate about leadership, innovation, and women’s empowerment, always interested in connecting, sharing experiences, and developing confidence in their professional and personal growth. Through her role, Stratiki actively promotes collaboration, mentorship, and inclusion, inspiring her peers to lead with purpose and authenticity.

Ioanna TSIBLAKI
Administrative Assistant Office of Student Affairs | Activities Coordinator Lean In Circle Club | International Business Major, Deree – ACG
Ioanna Tsimplaki is an International Business student at Deree – The American College of Greece, pursuing a dual BSc (Hons) degree validated by the Open University. Before focusing on business, she studied Law at IDEF – Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, developing a strong foundation in constitutional law, judicial institutions, and legal methodology. This background enhanced her analytical thinking, attention to detail, and understanding of regulatory frameworks, which she now applies in business and management contexts. She currently works as a Student Assistant in the Student Affairs Office, supporting student engagement, event coordination, and communication between university clubs. Ioanna has also gained leadership and operational experience as a manager at Elia Restaurant in Samos, overseeing supplier management, legal representation, and remote operations. Her experience across student support, event planning, and customer service reflects her adaptability and professionalism. An active member of the ACG community, Ioanna serves on the governing body of the Lean In Club and volunteers in multiple campus and charitable initiatives.

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About the organizers

Maria PALLIDOU
Associate Lecturer; Director of Innovation and Industrial Collaborations, Deree – ACG | Co-Founder and CFO of PhosPrint PC
Maria Pallidou serves as Associate Lecturer at the School of Business and Economics of Deree – The American College of Greece since January of 2017 and has taught courses in Finance and Entrepreneurship Management. She is also serving as Director of Innovation and Industrial Collaborations. She has a career spanning more than 30 years, primarily in Corporate Finance having served in the positions of Country CFO and Regional Finance Director in Greece and the Europe-Middle East and Africa Region in the Consumer Products, Agrochemicals, Apparel and Health Care Industries. Ms. Pallidou has been an active participant in the startup ecosystem in Greece in the last five years, being the Co-Founder and CFO of PhosPrint PC, a laser bioprinter and applications developer start-up, that operates in the Med Tech Industry. She holds an MBA in Management Policy and Small Business from McGill University and a BSc in Accounting and Finance from Deree, ACG.

Dr. Katerina VOUTSINA
Associate Professor & Program Coordinator of Entrepreneurship Management, Deree – ACG
Dr. Katerina Voutsina is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Entrepreneurship Management at Deree – The American College of Greece. She holds a BSc in Economics and an MSc in Marketing & Communication from the Athens University of Economics and Business, and a PhD in Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Before joining Deree, she served as a Research Fellow and Lecturer in the Department of Management at LSE and as a Visiting Lecturer at Warwick Business School. Her research focuses on the cognitive, organizational, and socio-economic aspects of technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Dr. Voutsina has contributed to England’s National Programme for IT, evaluating the adoption of nationwide electronic health records, and her work has been published and presented internationally. She also serves as a reviewer for leading academic journals and conferences.