Turning green ideas into startups: GreenTech Challenge 2023 was successfully completed!
Athens, December 12 of 2023 – GreenTech Challenge 2023, the largest National Green Innovation Programme, has concluded with great success, surpassing every expectation. The final competition took place on Sunday, December 10, while the total participation counted 297 teams, including 32 startups, 249 innovative ideas, and 16 researchers – 14 teams has been distinguished.
The GreenTech Challenge 2023 Innovation Programme
The Programme’s goal is to educate, counsel, and highlight initiatives in green themes such as Environment, Energy, Environmental Projects & Infrastructure, Innovative Green Products & Advanced Materials, Raw Materials, Smart & Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Tourism, Blue Growth, and Water Management.
In total, more than 290 proposals were submitted, of which 84 advanced to the semifinals on Saturday, December 9. The competition phase of the Programme concluded on Sunday, December 10, with the finalists from the three categories (Startups, Researchers, and Innovative Teams) presenting their innovative ideas and solutions to the Judging Committee. The presentations took place in the presence of distinguished speakers, representatives from the country’s leading companies, who are among the Programme’s partners, members of the academic community, mentors, students, and young entrepreneurs.
The Programme took place for the 7th consecutive time under the scientific responsibility of the UNESCO Chair on Green Innovation and Circular Economy of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), with Mantis Beyond Innovation as Innovation Enabler and organization responsible. The Programme was held under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy.
Sunday’s flow
Professor Konstantinos Aravossis, UNESCO Chairholder on Green Innovation and Circular Economy of NTUA, welcomed the participants and attendees and presented the Programme’s vision. The Professor highlighted the significant contribution of GreenTech Challenge over its seven years of operation, emphasizing its pivotal role in establishing over 30 companies. With more than 6,000 hours of provided training and advisory support, the program has shaped a dynamic network of 7,000 members promoting green innovation, thus creating a growing national community.
Winners | Startups Category
1st Place | Fishing Trips: Provides comprehensive vacation planning services, with a focus on professional fishing and marine experiences in Greece.
2nd Place | Agenso: Specializes in Internet of Things (IoT) technology solutions and – precision agriculture services, promoting research and services in sustainable agricultural production, environmental sustainability, and advanced technologies for agriculture and the environment.
3rd Place | Bflex: The first company in Greece that allows you to move around the city with a non-polluting vehicle, without the need to purchase your own.
Winners | Innovation Idea Holders Category
1st Place | Hydrify: An alternative way of water consumption, creating drinking water stations and refillable bottles.
2nd Place | Adamant: A Greek innovative company in Greece for mass production of synthetic diamonds, which utilizes and transforms industrial waste into precious diamonds.
3rd Place | Oniros: A platform that connects all stakeholders in the carbon dioxide supply chain with the goal of minimizing pollution.
3rd Place | GANDe: Design and construction of a robotic exoskeleton for people with special needs.
Winners | Researchers Category
Winning Team | EntoLabs: Provides comprehensive plant protection services. Offers innovative solutions that redefine plant protection. Introduces advanced methods that prioritize sustainability.
Honorable Mention | UniWatt AI: Energy provision as a service aimed at combating the complex ecosystem in the energy sector.
Honorable Mention | Sherwood: Software system that examines wastewater composition, econometric analysis, and LCA and CO2 footprints.
Special Award on the Energy Category | Powered by DEI (Public Power Corporation)
UniWatt AI: Energy offering as a service aimed at combating the complex ecosystem in the energy sector.
Special Award on the Environmental Projects & Infrastructure Category | Powered by TERNA ENERGY
Waste Cloud: Waste management service. Waste Cloud creates a new digital standard for waste management.
Audience Award | Instagram
WalkBag: 1 leash for pets, which incorporates 3 different storage spaces – storage space, bags, and a collapsible water cup.
Mentors Awards
- Giorgos Babalis
- Melis Malko
- Agisilaos Kyriazis
- Maria Papathoma
- Giorgos Lysaios
The Judging Committee
The esteemed Judging Committee, for yet another year, was composed by academics and distinguished professionals in their respective fields. The members of the Final Judging Committee were as follows:
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- Christos Nikoloudis, Head of Research, ESU NTUA & UNESCO Chair for Green Innovation and Circular Economy – Founder & CEO, Mantis Beyond Innovation
- Apollonia Karabatsou, Group Sustainability & CSR Manager, Mitsis Hotels
- Charalambos Charalampidis, Investment & Business Development Manager, TERNA Energy SA | CEO, Aeiforiki Epirou
- Marios Boboulos, Director of DEI Innovation HUB
- Eleni Athousaki, Director of ESG, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Motor Oil Group
- Angelos Tsakanikas, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, NTUA
- Leonidas Alexopoulos, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, NTUA
- Nikolas Andreoulis, Research Associate, Harvard University
Support from Prominent Organizations for a Sustainable Future
This year’s program was supported by major organizations in the field of Environment and Energy, including DEI (Public Power Corporation), TERNA Energy, Mitsis Hotels Group, Motor Oil Group, LAMDA Development, GK Goliopoulos, Heracles Group, TITAN, Combatt, iQnovus, Ibedrol, Papastratos, Imerys, Solar Cells Hellas S.A, as well as a large network of professionals from the business and academic community who make up the organizational, scientific, student, and mentor committees.
