Startup Greece Talks

In today's episode, Robbert van der Meer shares the remarkable journey of bFlex, from its humble beginnings with two bikes in Greece to becoming the go-to destination for 150 bikes and 1000 subscribers. Discover how bFlex is reshaping the cycling scene with its unique blend of rentals, subscriptions, and sales. Tune in for a glimpse into the future of biking!

In today’s episode, we are welcoming Rafail Kasapis, the CEO of Apollo Green Solution. Apollo Green Solutions was founded 2023 and has offices in Athens and Cologne, Germany. After a pivot, it is developing an intelligent and fully integrated Energy Management Systems with state-of-the-art data models, and deep learning models for optimisation. It allows to reduce costs, meet sustainably targets and enable additional revenue streams for commercial and industrial enterprises. ℹ️ Rafail is a Data Strategy and Governance Senior Consultant supporting companies on their transformation to a data-driven organization. With his broad expertise in various functions, he has a holistic approach to putting data at the centre of processes, technology, and people.

In today’s episode, Giorgos Birkas shares his story and the funny secrets behind NEREID. Surpassing himself along the way, Giorgos proposes a unique and revolutionary experience for boat owners and marinas alike. Unlighting the importance of the team and having trustworthy people around you, Giorgos is giving real advice and insights for the young entrepreneurs out here.

In today's episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Nektarios Liolios, the Founder of Future Farm.  The Future Farm is a non-commercial global organisation and community dedicated to healthier entrepreneurship. Their focus is on individual entrepreneurs and leaders, especially concerning their mental and emotional well-being. Nektarios Liolios has an experience of over 20+ years in financial services. During his last years working in this field, he was invited to join an innovation team, which gave him the opportunity to move from the corporate world into the entrepreneurial world and start an early-stage startup.

In today's episode, we're excited to feature Vicky Klimi, CEO of Grandmama. Grandmama is a leading homecare platform connecting families with caregivers and nurses. With over 5,000 families served in Greece over the past four years, Grandmama aims to revolutionize home care by prioritizing the well-being and comfort of both caregivers and those in need of care. ℹ️ Vicky Klimi, with 20+ years in executive roles globally, now focuses on Home Healthcare. She champions female leadership in the Middle East and Greece. Leading grandmama, she aims to revolutionize elderly care. Vicky holds a Business Management degree from the University of La Verne and is a certified coach from the Athens Coaching Institute. She's active in the Greek Gerontology & Geriatrics Society and chairs the Community Services of America's Women Organization in Greece. Vicky's journey blends leadership, business savvy, and a dedication to elder well-being, inspiring positive change in both professional and social realms. Her work shapes a compassionate future in elder care.

🚀 Introducing Alex Papacharalambous, the visionary CEO behind Efficious! With a passion for reshaping traditional business models, Alex has pioneered a groundbreaking solution to tackle resource inefficiency head-on. Leading Efficious, he made a paradigm shift in how companies exchange underutilized assets, from machinery to resources, fostering a dynamic ecosystem of collaboration. 🔧 Dissatisfied with the status quo, Alex Papacharalambous recognized the untapped potential in optimizing resource utilization. As CEO of Efficious, he spearheads a platform where businesses can seamlessly trade surplus resources, transcending the limitations of traditional monetary transactions. His innovative approach not only promotes sustainability but also cultivates a culture of symbiotic exchange, driving efficiency and value creation. ℹ️ With his heavy baggage composed of a diploma in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science, Alex envisions a future. One in which access to resources is not defined by financial barriers. With Efficious, he is providing a platform where startups and established enterprises alike can thrive through resource optimization.

Today, we are thrilled to present you Alexender Zachari, the founder of Edventures. This young entrepreneur has come up with a unique solution to resolve an ongoing issue on the market. He is driven by the idea of making a business accessible to more people and giving mentorship to whoever has an idea! To close the gap of the current lack of access to entrepreneurship information & coaching, Alexander Zachari has plunged into the AI world to bring his solution to the table. Discover more about his innovation, and ambitions for the people interested in the business world and the future of his creation.  ℹ️ Taking over the AI industry, Alexander Zahari, the founder of Edventures chose to offer a new experience for the entrepreneurial world. He is creating a tailored experience based on a conversational AI to help with the learning process, coaching and guiding people.

In today's episode, we're thrilled to introduce Eri Pavlaki, the Co-Founder of Star Sleep. As an outdoors and nature enthusiast, Eri transformed her passion for starlit slumbers into a thriving business. Her mission? To bridge the gap between people and nature through the unmatched experience of sleeping under the stars. Eri and her team have curated 22 idyllic locations across Crete for this purpose. With ambitions to expand across Greece and internationally, listen in to discover how Eri not only promotes reconnecting with nature but also supports local communities by transforming unused properties into sources of alternative income. ℹ️ Eri Pavlaki , Msc International Law & Diplomacy, is Co-founder and Director of “Star Sleep” & “Women Do Business”. She has been awarded as one of “Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise for 2022” in Europe and she has been distinguished by Vodafone Foundation for 2021. She is the keynote speaker for Empowerment & Entrepreneurship for Women and Equality. Founder of the voluntary association “I’m Still a Child” for abused children.

This Wednesday, we are introducing you to Konstantinos Kastanis the Co-Founder and CEO of Solbotix. After identifying an underlying problem in the solar panel market, the talented team of Solbotix, came up with a revolutionary idea, that will be able to offer a solution to a problem that costs billions. What they offer? They had designed a waterless PV panel cleaning robot, making it also an ideal solution for parts of the world where water is hard to find. ℹ️ Empowered by a deep passion for solar technology and its profound impact on the environment, Konstantinos, the Managing Director of ELVAN S.A., a distinguished Greek industrial company specializing in fixed PV structures and cable trays, decided to start a visionary journey with his team to establish Solbotix, a pioneering startup dedicated to leadιng the world towards a zero-carbon future. Driven by years of industry expertise and backed up by extensive research, Solbotix strives to contribute meaningfully to the global mission of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In today's episode, we introduce Stergios Dikos, the founder of Flavor App. Living in the era of visual communication, Stergios explains how the dynamics of the restaurant and food discovery industry have shifted from Google to TikTok. Observing this trend, he decided to establish Flavor App in the US. This app is revolutionizing the dining experience simplifying it for users and catering to their specific nutritional needs. No longer do you need multiple apps for a casual outing with your friends; with Flavor App, you can seamlessly navigate your culinary journey from search to payment. Tune in to the entire episode and discover how you can elevate your restaurant experience! ℹ️ Stergios, started his journey from Athens, traveled across the globe to the United States, then returned to Europe for a nine-year stint in England. He then spent time in the Middle East before settling in Mexico over the past few years. Throughout this remarkable journey, Stergios contributed his expertise to numerous startups, scaleups, and enterprises across various industries, guiding them in designing and executing effective product and GTM strategies. Notable names in his portfolio include Google, PayPal, AMEX, and Etsy. Armed with 15 years of experience, he made the decision to create Flavor App.

Introducing Eva Agapaki, the Founder and CEO of Hatch Labs. Recognizing a gap in the industry where traditional technical and business founders lacked a structured approach for implementing Gen AI, she took a leap of faith and "hatched" her idea. Hatch Labs stands out as a unique accelerator, placing a primary emphasis on generative AI machine learning. Their mission extends beyond traditional accelerators, guiding startups to success by addressing both technical and strategic aspects simultaneously. ℹ️ Dr. Eva Agapaki is a seasoned AI product management leader and executive advisor with a decade of experience in public, private, and startup sectors. She excels in launching and scaling high-growth startups, demonstrating a track record of success in technology, manufacturing, and oil & gas industries. Eva is also recognized for her outstanding contributions to AI leadership, having received multiple awards and serving as a featured speaker at major AI conferences. Trained at MIT, she specializes in disciplined entrepreneurship, demonstrating a successful track record in building 0-1 products within large tech companies.

In our first 2024 episode, join us as we host Charalampos Kosmas, the visionary founder of LUNAR CARGO P.C. With lunar surface landing no longer a distant dream, Charalampos shares his groundbreaking innovations. The conceptualization of Lunar Cargo, initiated in 2003, ahead of its time, is now coming to life, thanks to today's advancements. LUNAR CARGO is poised to revolutionize lunar transportation with two game-changing mechanical landing systems: "OPLONAS," a wheel-shaped spacecraft for large cargo delivery, and "MACEDONAS," designed to capture and steer parcels without generating surface ejecta. ℹ️ Charalampos Kosmas serves as a prime example of "It’s never too late to find your true calling in life." With a diverse background spanning economics, computing, and space science, Charalampos is part of a pivotal moment in space and human history. From overseeing Europe's largest satellite project, Medusa Second Generation, to charting his unique path after meeting the crème de la crème of the space industry, Charalampos's journey is now etched in history!

In this episode, we are delighted to host Antonis Politis, the Founder and Managing Director of Givelink. Givelink is an innovative platform that offers a curated list of charities along with an indication of their specific needs. Instead of traditional monetary donations, Givelink empowers individuals to contribute directly to the specific necessities of each charity. This approach not only revolutionizes the donation process but also adds a personal touch, making charitable giving more transparent than ever before!   ℹ️ With a passion for taking part in various projects and actions from a very young age Antonis, found his calling early on and it was entrepreneurship. He conceptualized the whole careXchange project when he was just 19. What's more impressive? He managed to make this a reality while still being enrolled in University. His unique talent?  Captivating bystanders during casual coffee sessions, inspiring them to eventually join his company as valued team members! We are confident that you will be the next to be enchanted by his compelling vision. Are you prepared?

In today's episode, we are diving into the world of digital ticketing and how ComeTogether came into that industry to shake things up and create the best experience possible for its customers. What do they bring to the table? A new form of digital ticket, as NFT collectables: 3D art, video highlights from events, and performer commentary to name a few of the endless possibilities. ComeTogether launched in 2019 and so far has supported over 700 live events in Greece, Spain, the UK, the UAE, and Australia, as well as provided Music NFTs and fan club memberships for multi-diamond artists.  ℹ️ With nine years dedicated to introducing new technologies to markets, Lazaros Penteridis, previously worked as a cloud robotics software engineer and holds an MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering. A passionate music event enthusiast, he encountered frustration with ticket scalping and inflated prices when he decided to take this issue personally. His journey into

Driven by a desire to revolutionize the study of rural areas and natural ecosystems while maintaining respect for them, George Mendrinos and his friends leveraged AI and Satellite Data to establish Caius. Tune in to the episode to discover how Caius is poised to expand its impact, providing real-time insights into paths and areas for the greater good, particularly during natural disasters. ℹ️ Specializing in Computational and X-ray Physics, George Mendrinos, boasts four years of research experience at NCSR Demokritos. With a focus on Medical Physics and Archaeometry, he participated in the Physics Olympiad 2014 and has since dedicated himself to teaching at academic levels. Beyond his research, George is an enthusiastic hiker, exploring Epirus and beyond. As the driving force of the team, he handles day-to-day challenges, shapes long-term strategies, and forges partnerships to ensure Caius's products align with genuine market needs.

It's more apparent than ever that circular fashion is a trend that is here to stay!  Helena Stamou co-founded Swaplanet, the first-ever circular online fashion platform for kids' clothing and books in Greece, to help families reduce their environmental footprints, instill lifelong positive habits in their children, and access affordable, high-quality clothing.    ℹ️ Helena is a dynamic and accomplished individual whose journey has been marked by a passion for innovation, communication, and positive impact.  As a co-founder of Swaplanet, she is a visionary leader with impactful contributions. She pioneered youth entrepreneurship through BusinessCool, excelled in global communication at Nostus, and radiates affection for children.  Rooted in Greece, her journey showcases commitment to knowledge, adventure, and global betterment.

Recognizing a distinct need for direction in the food industry, Thodoris Sofianos redefined its course by creating Digital Bites. The company offers a cutting-edge Virtual Reality platform, allowing product developers to test and validate their concepts with their target audience before making a physical prototype. ℹ️ Thodoris Sofianos is a Graduate of AUTH's School of Agriculture, specializing in Food Science and holds an MSc in Development and Rural Innovation from Wageningen University and Research focusing on food system transitions and entrepreneurship.  He is passionate about research and turning original ideas into reality and is a thought leader in VR-based consumer research. His broad skill set includes consumer research, sensory science, (food) product management and new product development.

In this episode, we welcome Ioanna Mantzouridou Onasi, the co-founder and CEO of Dextego. An innovative AI-powered application aiming to shape more A-Players in today's dynamic workspace, Dextego harnesses the combined strengths of AI and community engagement to offer unparalleled soft skills training!  ℹ️ Ioanna is an ambitious and purposeful Community Builder, Talent Development Strategist, and Applied AI Evangelist. She is passionate about utilizing the power of technology as a tool to help people hone their essential skills and tap into their inner brilliance. Before co-founding Dextego, she was the VP People & Chief of Staff at Aptivio, a B2B SaaS Revenue AI startup in NYC, building the Aptivio Ecosystem. Ioanna is an inspirational Gen Z leader devoted to building a community of lifelong learners.

With a passion for technology and design, Stavros Symeonidis decided to found LASI AI, an AI Fashion Print designer that aims to solve the design problem for independent fashion brand owners by automating the design process to achieve high-quality on-brand designs fast and effortlessly. LASI AI promises to be the nexus where desire meets design!  ℹ️ Stavros Symeonidis ...

In this week’s episode, we welcome Dimitrios Sakellaris, Founder & Team Leader at Statathlon. Statathlon creates a Decision Management Tool that provides a 360-degree view of an Athlete’s profile by showcasing what their body can do (Bio-athletic), what their heart and mind can provide and uplift (Psychometric), and what they deliver on the field (In-game performance). This “multiplier effect” assists teams in reaching their goals without spending a lot of money on new players and staff. ℹ️ Dimitrios Sakellaris is the Founder & Team Leader at Statathlon, a Data Analytics Startup based in London that helps Sports Organizations mitigate risk in fields like performance, injuries and recruitment (transfers). He has professional experience in Technology, Finance and Sports fields and a strong academic background in the field of Statistics and International Business. He’s currently based in Zurich, CH.