What does it take to turn a promising idea in a university lab into a startup with real-world impact? That question was at the heart of BioInnovation Greece Forum 2026, where The American College of Greece joined scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders for conversations around the future of biotechnology and innovation in Greece.
ACG President Dr. Edward C. Wingenbach took part in the panel “From Universities to Startups: Building Innovation Ecosystems in Greece,” which looked at one of the key challenges facing Greek higher education: how universities can create the structures that allow research and ideas to move beyond academia and into new ventures.
He was joined by Periklis Mitkas, President of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education; Katerina Pramatari, Partner at Uni.Fund and Professor at Athens University of Economics & Business; and Dimitris Terzis, Secretary General for Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Development. The discussion was moderated by Nektarios Tavernarakis, President of EMBC, Professor at the Medical School of the University of Crete and IMBB-FORTH, and Associate Partner and Board Member of BioInnovation Greece.
The conversation focused on what Greece needs to build stronger university-led innovation ecosystems — from incubators and innovation hubs to closer ties between universities, investors, government, and industry. The panel also explored how institutions can better support the path from research to venture creation through the right infrastructure, networks, mentorship, and access to funding, helping promising ideas move beyond the laboratory and develop into solutions with broader social and economic impact.
ACG’s presence at the Forum also extended beyond the panel.
At the Deree – The American College of Greece booth, visitors had the opportunity to explore programs designed for students and professionals interested in the fast-evolving worlds of biology, technology, health, and entrepreneurship.
Among them were the BSc in Bioinformatics, bringing together biology, computing, and data; the BSc in Biomedical Sciences, offering an interdisciplinary pathway into the life and health sciences; and the Professional Certificate in Translational Biomedicine & Entrepreneurship, focused on the journey from biomedical research to real-world application.
From the stage to the exhibition floor, ACG’s participation at BioInnovation Greece Forum 2026 highlighted the role education can play in turning curiosity into research, research into innovation, and innovation into impact.
As Greece’s biotechnology and innovation ecosystem continues to grow, ACG looks forward to contributing through education, interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and the development of the next generation of scientists, professionals, and innovators.