The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), through the event “Entrepreneurship & AUTH: Innovation Starts from the University”, honored 55 startups emerging from its academic community, highlighting its strong ties to industry and innovation. The event was organized by the Walk AUTH Innovation Accelerator on 10 June 2025, as part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of AUTH’s founding.
2 Success Stories of AUTH!
Two successful stories with origins at AUTH were highlighted and presented. Schoox, a training platform that currently serves more than 3.500 client companies worldwide, presented its impressive track record. Its founder, Lefteris Duanoglou, a graduate of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, shared the difficulties of the journey and his message to young people: “Go big or don’t go. The result can be rewarding“, stressing that success is measured by the journey and not just by the outcome.
The second success story – originated also from AUTh- is the Beetroot Design Studio, a company with international recognition. It has won 374 awards and in 2011 was named “Agency of the Year” at the Red Dot Design Awards. Its co-founder, Vangelis Liakos, presented the global reach of the Yiayia and friends brand, which has a presence in the US and Korea, while the founding team includes graduates of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
An honorary Schoox and Beetroot received by the president of the Alexander Innovation Zone (AIZ), Dr. Panagiotis Ketikidis in recognition by the AUTh of the contribution of both companies to the promotion of innovation with university origins.
The 55 Startups of AUTH
At the event, 55 startups created by entrepreneurs from the AUTH alumni community were honored. Honored by the deans of their respective faculties, the startups listed below were founded by university graduates: Athletopia (Seamx), Bio-Based Energy Technologies PC (BIO2CHP), CDXI SOLUTIONS IKE, DataMinds PC, Winimo ΙΚΕ, which are based in the AIZ’s pre-incubator, as well as 35Mbeats, AccessLab, ADRpoint P.C., iASC – Digital Value Chains ΙΚΕ, AGROVERSE Private Company Brainbox Technology, CAPTAIN COACH P.C., COMETOGETHER PC, COMPLAGO PRIVATE COMPANY, Cyclopt, Decode+, DEEPTRAFFIC, Digital Bites I.K.E., DuckyCode P.C, Elektronio, EV PLUS, EXANTA Ι.Κ.Ε., FLYEE PRIVATE COMPANY, From Scratch, GoCharlie, GRIFFIN SOFTWARE, Home Automation and More Private Company, KENOTOM IKE, KIKLO – GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES P.C., KINVENT HELLAS, Loggerhead, Maurus, Medoid AI, Metabio IKE, Metatopia, Moverse, NET2GRID Hellas, NEURALIO AI I.K.E., Neurohive, Optimems Smart Energy Solutions, OZZIE, Pi tech, POSS, PRAGMA-IOT SA, Progressive Robotics, RealMINT P.C., RespiBit Ltd, Rhoé, Sevi Exceptional Botanic, TECS Capital, TERRA ROBOTICS P.C, ThetaBiomarkers, Timinig for Sports, Upiria, VERTITECH AE.
Walk Auth Innovation Accelerator | Nikos Theodorakis
Nikos Theodorakis, Scientific Director of the Walk Auth Innovation Accelerator, said that the startup ecosystem of Thessaloniki has risen 31 places in 2025, highlighting the significant progress that has been achieved in recent years.
In his brief online address, Deputy Minister of Development, Stavros Kalafatis, said that the event confirms that “innovation and research start at the university”. At the same time, the Chairman of the Research & Technology Committee of the Parliament, Stratos Simopoulos, stressed the need to exploit human potential and expressed optimism for the prospects of Thessaloniki and the AUTH.
New funding opportunities for startups
The Deputy Regional Governor for Digital Governance Nikos Tzollas, presented the 60€ million startup support program, with funding from 25.000€ to 500.000€ per proposal, covering 50% of the cost. In addition, he referred to another 140€ million program to support existing entrepreneurship, stating: “We do not want infinite startups. We want proper flow, maturity and growth.”
The event confirmed the role of AUTH as a key pillar of innovation and entrepreneurship in Greece, as well as the strong dynamics of the Thessaloniki ecosystem.
