The Future Shapers: Young Entrepreneurs and Innovators event, organized by the Office of Innovation and Industrial Collaborations, took place on Monday, February 10th. The event brought together seven young startup founders and four startup ecosystem players for two engaging panel discussions moderated by ACG students.
First Panel Discussion
Moderated by Vasilis Kapsokelis, parallel student and work-study at the Office of Innovation and Industrial Collaborations, the first panel featured:
- Melina Mai – Investment Manager at Big Pi Ventures
- Nikos Markakis – COO of Mood
- Angelos Vasileiou – Tech Lead at Mantis Beyond Innovation
- Konstantinos Kagioulis – CEO of Butler
- Nikos Sklavounos – CEO of UniStudents
- Vasilis Zoupas – CEO of Woli Fintech
The discussion provided students and aspiring entrepreneurs with an engaging and interactive experience, covering key aspects of entrepreneurship—from launching a business and finding co-founders to securing investments and overcoming early-stage challenges. Panelists shared personal stories about what inspired them to start their ventures, pivotal moments that validated their ideas, and the biggest obstacles they had to overcome.
The conversation emphasized resilience, adaptability, and execution, highlighting that success in entrepreneurship is not just about having a great idea but also about the determination, persistence, and what some called the “delusionality” required to bring it to life. The atmosphere was lively, featuring insightful perspectives, candid advice, and moments of humor that kept the audience engaged. Panelists openly discussed common pitfalls, investor-founder dynamics, and the realities of growing a business. Rapid-fire questions and audience participation further enhanced the interactive nature of the session.
Second Panel Discussion
Moderated by Panagiotis Kougioumtzis, President of the Deree Student Association, the second panel featured:
- Evelina Mavrides – Founder & CEO of Clean i.t
- Konstantinos Kousouris – Co-Founder & CEO of BlinkoAI
- Lefteris Katsiadakis – Co-Founder & CEO of Panathenea
- Anastasia Kotsa – Co-Founder & Head of Experience at Panathenea
- Konstantinos Ketselides – Co-Founder & Managing Director of Uplodio
This discussion explored the personal inspirations that led each founder to start their venture, the early challenges they faced, and the essential skills and mindset for success. Leadership and team-building were central themes, with insights on scaling businesses, fostering strong company cultures, and creative approaches to team bonding. Each speaker shared valuable lessons from their entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, leadership, and adaptability in navigating the startup world.
A Transformative Experience
The Future Shapers event provided students and young professionals with a valuable opportunity to gain firsthand insights from experienced entrepreneurs and ecosystem players. Attendees left inspired and better equipped to shape the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in Greece.