Businesses and organizations from 13 countries laid the groundwork for new collaborations through the annual Southeast European Innovators Challenge, which was hosted in Greece for the first time. The Innovation Marathon stood out, with young Greek innovators reaching the podium.
On October 31 – November 1, the Southeast European Innovators Challenge (SEEIC) 2025 took place with strong participation and high interest from the innovation ecosystem. The event was hosted for the first time in Greece by the JOIST Innovation Park in Larissa. SEEIC 2025 was organized in collaboration with the European Digital Innovation Hub for Artificial Intelligence Smart Attica, Health Hub, and its partner and coordinator, the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED).
Representatives from Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, and other countries explored, together with local stakeholders, senior executives, and European officials, the development of cross-border collaborations in three key areas: Cybersecurity, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and Agri-food and Supply Chain (Logistics). Interactive workshops, coordinated by specialized representatives of European projects supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (STARRISE and CYBERSUITE), prepared participants for shaping the innovation partnerships of tomorrow.
Member of the European Parliament Dimitris Tsiodras, who participated in the conference, referred to the need for the European Union to address key challenges related to the commercialization of innovation: “We have very strong ideas coming from scientists and academics that do not make it through to new products. I hope that in the coming years we will have the opportunity to invest resources and help the innovation ecosystem overcome fundamental challenges, such as bureaucracy and access to funding.”
Comparing the EU with the United States, the MEP noted that “it is not as easy for companies in the EU to secure funding as it is in the US.” He added that “while in America a product or service may be approved within 90 days, in the European Union the process can take up to a year.”
Local and European initiatives are delivering solutions
The Regional Governor of Thessaly, Dimitris Kouretas, presented the Smart Specialisation Strategy, which, as he explained, “highlights the region’s strengths in order to attract funding instruments for the development of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.” “Even if we facilitate the creation of just one or two spin-offs, the money we invest is worth it, and as Regional Governor I am willing to personally take that risk,” Mr Kouretas stated.
Maja Ferlinc, a representative of the Executive Agency for the European Innovation Council and SMEs, presented the EU’s Interregional Innovation Investments programme (I3 Instrument). As she explained, “the EU is a large market of 450 million consumers, but it is highly fragmented. We have a single market, yet also 27 Member States. A similar situation exists with European funding. The I3 Instrument was designed to address this problem and the need for cross-border cooperation to bring products closer to the market.”
Young Greek talent at the top of the Innovation Marathon
The two-day conference concluded with a special European Innovation Marathon (SEEIC Hackathon), highlighting Greek talent and pioneering ideas from across Southeast Europe.
Wasty, an intelligent waste management software for food service businesses, won first place in the Logistics category, impressing the jury with its effectiveness in organisation and sustainability. The team consists of Nikos Koultoukis, William Konstantinos Tzimenakis, Ioannis Maras, Agathangelos Papadopoulos, and Lazaros Lazaridis.
The Serbian startup ATAR, representing the STP Niš Science and Technology Park, was distinguished in the Agri-food category, presenting innovative artificial intelligence solutions for precision agriculture.
The Cybersecurity and ICT award was presented to Triton Teknoloji, which travelled from Turkey representing the Ostim Technology Park. Triton Teknoloji showcased the NacStream platform, a real-time network access control and management tool.
Moreover, Health Hub’s partner, the University of Thessaly, organized an Innovation Competition in Technology and Health, within the framework of the project “Excellence Strategy of the University of Thessaly – Development of an Innovation / Entrepreneurship Center” (SUB2: “Universities of Excellence” – TA 5180665). The competition highlighted research and entrepreneurial teams with strong social and technological impact.
The 1st Prize was awarded to the Home Sweet Grow team led by Dr. Evmorfia Bataka, together with Anastasia Mourantian and Maria Venetidou. The team presented an innovative entrepreneurial initiative aiming to reshape the way food is produced and distributed in urban areas. Home Sweet Grow promotes sustainable development through a flexible indoor farming system, leveraging open-source technologies (open-source hardware and software).
The 2nd Prize was awarded to the student team Heal Simulations, led by Ioannis Siokos, for a digital education application in Anatomy. The application was developed in collaboration with the Anatomy Laboratory of the University of Thessaly, under the supervision of Professor and Director of the Anatomy Laboratory, Aristeidis Zimpis. Heal Simulations leverages simulation and augmented reality technologies, offering a modern and interactive learning environment.
The 3rd Prize was awarded to Anastasia Fountouli, an adjunct lecturer at the University of Thessaly, for her entrepreneurial idea Cricketos. Cricketos is an innovative insect farming venture that makes a substantial contribution to reducing the environmental footprint of the agri-food sector.
The Mayor of Larissa, Thanasis Mamakkos, was also present at the event. Referring to the importance of initiatives such as SEEIC in supporting the new generation of entrepreneurs and researchers, he stated: “Young people are the driving force behind the development and prosperity of our city and our society. As the National Youth Capital for 2025, we have organized numerous activities for young people, and we are very pleased to be co-organizers of SEEIC.”
The founder of JOIST, Tasos Vassiliadis, added: “SEEIC in Larissa proved that innovation can thrive beyond major urban centers. The energy, talent, and passion of the participants show that Greece has the momentum to shape the future of technology and entrepreneurship in Southeast Europe. At JOIST, we are committed to continuing to open new pathways and opportunities so that ideas can turn into reality and gain an international outlook.”
Co-organizers
The curation of the interactive workshops was undertaken by the European projects STARRISE and CYBERSUITE. Co-organizers of the conference included the Municipality of Larissa, the University of Thessaly, Uni Systems—a provider of IT solutions and services and supporter of the CodeWeek initiative—the Solarhub project, which promotes solar energy cooperation between Greece and Turkey, and the Youth Council of the Municipality of Larissa. The collaborating body was the Hellenic Association of Information Technology Companies (SETPE).
About the Southeast European Innovators Challenge (SEEIC)
The Southeast European Innovators Challenge (SEEIC) is the leading innovation conference held annually in a different country in Southeast Europe. It is organized under the auspices of the Alliance of Science and Technology Parks, whose presidency is held by JOIST for 2025.
About JOIST Innovation Park
You can learn more at www.joistpark.eu