Applications deadline of 16th February approaches
HEA runs business start-up roadshow across Greece
ATHENS, 24 January 2017 – The applications for the fifth cycle of the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award (HEA) are still open, with less than a month remaining for those with a new business idea for Greece to submit their business plans and compete for a share of the €1,250,000 in business start-up funding, mentorship and a range of support services. The closing date for this year’s award is 16th February.
In the two months since the launch of HEA 2017, more than 300 business plans have already been submitted by budding and experienced entrepreneurs, in several business sectors, from agriculture, and education to financial services and transportation with the top three sectors represented being innovative digital services, tourism and food and beverage. There have been around 25% more applications compared with the same stage of the competition last year, with business plans coming in from right across the country, notably Attica, Western Greece, Central Macedonia and Crete.
This year HEA has launched “Ideas in Progress”, a business start-up education roadshow travelling throughout Greece and aimed at sharing insight, tips and best practice for would-be entrepreneurs. HEA’s representatives will be joined by former winners, finalists and members of the Greek entrepreneurship community to present experiences and success stories, while highlighting all the key elements that make a new business idea come to fruition, evolve and attract investors and supporters.
The first “Ideas in Progress” event of HEA 2017 will be hosted in Thessaloniki on Wednesday, 25th January under the auspices of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, at the City Hall. Further events will take place in:
- Athens on 1st February
- Patras on 3rd February
- Heraklion on 7th February and
- Chios on 10th February.
Additionally, a webinar with a live Q&A session will be hosted on 9th February so that everyone in Greece can have a chance to learn from the experts. Those interested can find more information about the dates and locations of the events in HEA’s website (www.hellenicaward.com).
Commenting on the growing interest in the HEA competition, Alexandros Nousias, Director of the Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award stated: “In the last four years we have seen business ideas of exceptional quality submitted to the HEA. They are a testament to the innovative, forward-thinking approach of entrepreneurs in Greece. With a few weeks remaining until the submission deadline, we relish the task of reviewing this year’s applications and drawing up a short list for in-depth analysis.”
The deadline for applications is 16 February 2017. Finalists will be announced in May 2017 and winners will be announced in June 2017.
– Ends –
Past HEA Winners
2016 Winners:
1. Blueground (www.theblueground.com) – A technology-enabled chain of serviced apartments, houses and villas created by transforming existing residential properties.
2. Bubbllz (www.bubbllz.com) – A mobile application that rewards users’ social media posts and, via a web marketing platform, enables brands and vendors to promote products and services through user-generated content.
3. Raymetrics (www.raymetrics.com) – A company that aims to create a new, advanced and powerful 3D ceilometer for the aviation industry, aimed at providing additional data, essential for airports and meteorological agencies.
2015 Winners:
4. Yoleni’s (www.yolenis.com) – An online delicatessen that enables European and American customers to purchase authentic products from every corner of Greece. Soon to begin a chain of Greek gastronomy around the world.
5. Smart Guide – A wearable electronic mobility guide that senses nearby obstacles and obstructions for the blind and visually impaired. This innovative product will be produced in the facilities of “Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece” by employees who themselves have impaired vision.
6. Heliix (www.heliixinc.com) – A ground-breaking technology which converts thermal energy into electricity. The company’s first implementation of the technology, Phaethon™, is a device that can reduce a household’s annual electricity costs by up to 30%.
2014 Winners:
7. Anassa Organics (www.anassaorganics.com) – A company that produces and markets premium herbal teas and infusions, addressing Greek and global markets.
8. e-satisfaction (www.e-satisfaction.gr) – An independent platform that records e-shoppers’ entire online shopping experience from browsing through ordering to delivery – set to become a comprehensive e-commerce rating tool.
9. Open Circle (www.opencircleproject.com) – A web-based community/ platform, where visionary entrepreneurs present their business concepts in order to promote collaborations with prospective investors through equity crowdfunding.
10. RTsafe (www.rt-safe.com) – A medical technology company presenting a revolutionary approach to optimising the effectiveness of radiotherapy for cancer patients while minimizing the likelihood of harmful side effects.
2013 Winners:
11. Stella Mare (www.stellamare.gr) – A seafood processing and marketing business which is targeted at both domestic and global markets.
12. Casa Parlante (www.casaparlante.gr) – A “Living Museum”, depicting the everyday life of a noble family in a historic 19th century mansion in Corfu.
13. Different & Different (www.differentanddifferent.gr) – A innovative catering company and culinary academy.
14. Rabt (www.rabt.co) –A technology start-up that helps media companies to increase audience retention by automatically analysing preferences and recommending video and other content most likely to engage individual users.
About The Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award:
The Hellenic Entrepreneurship Award was founded in 2012 by the Libra Group on behalf of the Hellenic Initiative, to support established and budding entrepreneurs by providing funding, support services and mentorship for start-up businesses. The Libra Group has committed €10 million to the programme which will help entrepreneurs in Greece to generate economic growth in their homeland. The award partners are Piraeus Bank Group which has contributed to the training and education of participants since 2014 through its subsidiary, Excelixi Center of Sustainable Entrepreneurship; the Australian based property investment and development company, Jalouise Pty Ltd., and Mr. Dimitri Goulandris.
Amongst the winners’ supporters are Antidote, Atradius, Intracom Telecom, Ioannis Vassardanis & Partners Law Form, Lykourezos Law Offices, Microsoft, People for Business, Reed Smith, SAP Hellas, SATO, Onassis Cultural Centre, V+O and White Room.
www.hellenicaward.com
About The Libra Group:
The Libra Group is a privately-owned international business group that controls 30 subsidiaries active in 35 countries across six continents. It is focused on six core sectors: aviation, energy, finance and diversified, hospitality, real estate, and shipping. The group is wholly-owned by the Logothetis family.
For more information, visit the website: www.libra.com
About The Hellenic Initiative:
Our Mission: Investing in the future of Greece through direct philanthropy and economic revitalization. We empower people to provide crisis relief, encourage entrepreneurs, and create jobs.
We are The Hellenic Initiative (THI) – a global movement of the Greek Diaspora.
Visit our website: http://www.TheHellenicInitiative.org/ , http://onegreece.org
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thehellenicinitiative
Follow us on Twitter: @THI_OneGreece
For further information, please contact:
Eleni Kostarelou
V+O Communication, Athens
Office: +30 211 75 01 224
Email: eko@vando.gr
