The three-day initiative organized by the Technology Transfer and Innovation Unit of the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU) was successfully completed on 27 February 2026 in Heraklion, with the participation of the National Bank of Greece and representatives of leading investment organizations, including UniFund, Metavallon, L-Stone Capital, Bayer Hellas, Genesis Ventures, Venture Friends, Sporos, Investing For Purpose, and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.
The initiative was held consecutively in Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion and aimed to strengthen the connection between the academic community and the investment and business ecosystem.
The first day of the initiative, which took place in Chania, included presentations by investment organizations and an open discussion with the audience, followed by visits to HMU research laboratories. In the afternoon, the event “Innovation Crete 7.0 – Reimagining the Future” was held at the Chania Chamber of Commerce and Industry, featuring thematic panels on research, entrepreneurship, and the role of institutions in fostering innovation in Crete.
The second day of the initiative, held in Rethymno, was hosted at the Institute of Plasma Physics and Lasers of HMU and included presentations of research activities, talks, and presentations by investment organizations. This was followed by guided visits to the Institute’s specialized research laboratories.
The third day of the initiative, which took place in Heraklion at the SEDO Seminar Hall (Building 12), included presentations by the Technology Transfer and Innovation Unit and representatives of investment organizations, as well as talks focusing on the development of entrepreneurial ideas and the valorization of research. Visits to HMU research laboratories were also organized.
As part of the third day’s activities, an entrepreneurship Bootcamp was held, during which student teams presented their business ideas and participated in a competition, supported by mentors from the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.