A Greek beginning, a global journey: Columbia University and the National Technical University of Athens Create the Next Generation of Global Leaders
The Initiative
With the aim of cultivating a new generation of world-class scientists and visionary entrepreneurs, a new and ambitious initiative of Columbia University, in collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), is launching in Greece under the title “Lab to Market: Bridging Innovation and Entrepreneurship.”
The program is overseen by the Columbia Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and the National Technical University of Athens and is implemented by the Columbia Global Center in Athens, with strategic support from Columbia Business School, Endeavor Greece, and the Hellenic Institute for Advanced Studies (HIAS). Its objective is to create, for the first time in Greece in such a systematic way, a meaningful bridge between academia and entrepreneurship.
Through a structured and demanding program, female and male students as well as early-career researchers from across the country gain the knowledge, networks, and resources they need to transform their scientific research and innovative ideas into viable businesses. The initiative is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Blavatnik Family Foundation, which has long supported leading researchers and future leaders worldwide, helping to address some of humanity’s greatest challenges.
The opening event of the Program was honored by the presence of the Prime Minister’s spouse, Mrs. Grabowski-Mitsotakis, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Ms. Niki Kerameus, as well as the Deputy Minister of Development, responsible for Research &Innovation, Mr. Stavros Kalafatis.
Four Program Pillars
As stated by Shih-Fu Chang, Dean of the Columbia Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, “This new program fully leverages Columbia’s deep expertise and extensive experience in translating research into tangible benefits for society. It’s also fully aligned with our shared vision, Engineering for Humanity.” This philosophy underpins the program’s four core pillars:
- Education
Specialized seminars delivered by faculty members from Columbia and NTUA, covering fundamental principles of entrepreneurship, from drafting a business plan and identifying target markets to product design and development. - Mentorship and Networking
Systematic mentoring and active connection to the Greek and international innovation ecosystems, through the networks of Endeavor Greece and HIAS. - Study Trip to New York
Participation in NY Tech Week (early June), offering teams direct exposure to Columbia’s and New York City’s leading entrepreneurial and academic environments. - Competition and Funding
A business plan competition with cash prizes totaling up to €10,000, aimed at supporting the most mature and innovative proposals.
The program is offered entirely free of charge to all participants, including the trip to New York, thanks to the generous support of the Blavatnik Family Foundation. As noted by Len Blavatnik, Founder of the Foundation and Columbia alumnus, “We are delighted to support this initiative and to help young people in Greece fully realize their enormous potential.”
The initiative has a five-year horizon. This year’s program focuses on three critical areas: Artificial Intelligence, Energy and Sustainability, and Health Technologies.
The First Cohort
The inaugural cohort consists of 90 students and researchers, selected through a highly competitive process. “The number of applications exceeded all expectations,” notes Stefanos Gandolfo, Director of the Columbia Global Center in Athens, “as we received more than 105 applications from teams representing over 400 students in total, the majority of whom were graduates of NTUA.”
Applications were rigorously evaluated by a committee comprising faculty from Columbia and NTUA, as well as executives from Endeavor Greece and HIAS. The main selection criteria were the quality and innovative factor of the proposals, as well as the composition and dynamics of the teams.
Profile of selected participants:
- Gender: 60% men, 40% women
- Geographic distribution: From 18 cities and towns across Greece, including Drama, Xanthi, Trikala, Ioannina, Heraklion, Aigio, Preveza, Athens, and Thessaloniki
- Studies: Enrolled in 8 Greek universities, with primary fields including Computer Science (33%), Electrical Engineering (24%), Civil Engineering (8%), and Medicine and Life Sciences (8%)
The Mentors
A decisive role in the program’s success is played by a team of internationally recognized mentors who generously contribute their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. Konstantza Sbokou-Konstantakopoulou, Chair of Endeavor Greece and an NTUA alumna, notes:
“Greek academic research is one of our country’s most important strategic advantages. Lab to Market launches with a clear goal: to bridge the gap between knowledge and the market, transforming research into sustainable entrepreneurial initiatives. By launching the program and offering free participation to 90 graduates and researchers, we are making a meaningful investment in the country’s human capital, creating new opportunities both for Greece and for the next generation.”
The voluntary contribution of these professionals, many of whom are alumni of NTUA and Columbia University, brings hands-on knowledge from the front lines of entrepreneurship and investment. As emphasized by Petros Koumoutsakos, Professor of Computational Science at Harvard University and President of HIAS, “"HIAS’s mission is to build and promote international collaborations and exchanges among Greeks, Americans, and scholars, academics, and policymakers of the Greek diaspora.
HIAS is an active member of the Lab to Market initiative and will play a crucial role in its success, contributing through expert speakers and assisting in the curation of specialized academic or business workshops. It will support the program by providing guidance through experts and researchers associated with HIAS in designated areas and will connect participants’ ongoing research initiatives with international programs focused on entrepreneurship."
The Need for Internationalization of Greek Universities
The initiative is part of the broader framework for the internationalization of Greek higher education, strengthened by government reforms since its first term under former Minister of Education Niki Kerameus, granting universities greater flexibility to establish partnerships with leading institutions abroad. As emphasized by the Minister of Labor and Social Security and former Minister of Education, “Lab to Market exemplifies a model of strategic international collaboration, connects education with employment, and invests in our most valuable asset, human capital. Fostering a culture of openness and innovation is a key step in transforming Greek universities, and young people are the most critical group in which we must invest.”
Deputy Minister of Development, responsible for Research and Innovation, Stavros Kalafatis, noted:“This initiative constitutes a bold step toward linking scientific excellence with entrepreneurial innovation. At the Ministry of Development, we support every effort that strengthens the ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship, so that new knowledge is transformed into solutions, products, and services that improve citizens’ daily lives, enhance the country’s competitiveness, and contribute to sustainable development. Through the creation of Networks of Technology Transfer Offices, funding actions for spin-offs and deep-tech startups, and international cooperation programs, we open pathways for outward-looking engagement and empower the new generation of entrepreneurs. We are transforming Greece into an international hub for research, technology, and innovation
The Rector of NTUA, Professor Ioannis Chatjigeorgiou, underlined that “a change in mindset within universities is perhaps the most important step for Greece’s transition to a sustainable knowledge-based economy.” As he noted, cultivating a culture of openness and innovation is crucial for the transformation of Greek universities, with young people at the forefront of progress and development. NTUA, as the country’s oldest and strongest technological institution, contributes scientific excellence, a strong research base, and high-caliber students, significantly strengthening the initiative’s impact.
