Representatives from the academic and research communities, the business sector, the investment market, and public administration participated in the event held on June 16, 2026, at the Alexander Innovation Zone facilities: “Thess InnoFood Hub – The Triple Helix in Action” which was co-organized by the Alexander Innovation Zone S.A. (AIZ) and ATECluster – AgroTechnology Export Cluster.
The centerpiece of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Strategic Alliance for Sustainable Agri-Food Development, as part of the creation of the Thess InnoFood Hub, the Hub for Innovative Agri-Food Activities being developed by AIZ.
The goal of the initiative is to create and operate a comprehensive innovation ecosystem in the agri-food sector, with an emphasis on connecting research with production, strengthening entrepreneurship and competitiveness, as well as promoting international networking and the outward orientation of businesses.
The agri-food sector is currently at the center of major transformations. Technological advancements, artificial intelligence, climate change, increasing international competition, new market demands, and challenges in crop and livestock production make it essential to forge a closer relationship between entrepreneurship and innovation.
To transform knowledge into real value, an environment is needed in which research, entrepreneurship, production, and institutional bodies collaborate effectively. This is precisely the “triple helix” model in action.
Presentations and Discussion
During the main part of the event, targeted presentations were given on best practices for clusters, ATECluster’s experience with shifting from networking to collaboration, and the initiative by AZK to establish the Thess InnoFood Hub.Στο κύριο μέρος της εκδήλωσης πραγματοποιήθηκαν στοχευμένες παρουσιάσεις για τις βέλτιστες πρακτικές συνεργατικών σχηματισμών, την εμπειρία του ATECluster από την δικτύωση στην συνεργασία και την πρωτοβουλία ίδρυσης του Thess InnoFood Hub από την ΑΖΚ.
The speakers were Mr. Theodoros Tsamourtzis, General Manager of the AgroTechnology Export Cluster, Mr. Konstantinos Konstantinidis, President of the AgroTechnology Export Cluster, and Dr. Panayiotis Ketikidis, President of AIZ.
This was succeeded by a roundtable discussion on the topic “From Knowledge to the Market: Synergies in Practice” during which the challenges and opportunities involved in the process of transferring knowledge and technology from research to the market were highlighted.
Key Findings
- The greatest challenge is not the generation of knowledge, but its effective transfer and application in the marketplace.
- Research must be more outreach-looking and more closely aligned with the real needs of industry.
- Collaboration between research institutions and businesses requires trust, flexibility, long-term planning, and a common language.
- Funding instruments must support not only the production of research results but also their practical application and commercial exploitation.
- The timely activation of support programs and mechanisms is critical to ensure that solutions remain relevant and useful to the market.
Roundtable Participants
The discussion was moderated by Mr. Konstantinos Tramantzas, General Manager of AIZ. Participants included:
- Dr. Anagnostis Argyriou, Professor, University of the Aegean, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Affiliated Faculty Member, National Center for Research and Technological Development
- Dr. Olga Gkortzi, Professor of Food Chemistry and Technology, Director of the Laboratory of Food Technology, Quality Control, and Food Safety, Department of Plant Production and Agricultural Environment, University of Thessaly, Co-founder of the spin-off POSS
- Dr. Eleni Kalogianni , Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, International University of Greece
- Georgios Kefalas , Deputy Regional Governor for Agricultural Economy, Central Macedonia Region
- Thomas Koupantsis, Head of the Research & Development Department, PROVIL
- Ioanna Melikidou, Head of Research & Development, KONVA
- Grigoris Chatzikostas, Partner, reframe.food & Loggerhead Ventures
Welcome and Next Steps
The event was addressed by Dr. Stamatis Angelopoulos, Rector of IHU, Mr. Theodoros Karaoglou, Member of Parliament for Thessaloniki B representing New Democracy, Mr. Georgios Kefalas, Deputy Regional Governor for Agricultural Economy of the Region of Central Macedonia, the President of the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece (SEVE), Mr. Simos Diamantidis, and Dr. Dimitrios Tzovaras, former President of the National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (CERTH).
AIZ continues to invest in building bridges between research, entrepreneurship, and the public sector, contributing to the development of a dynamic innovation ecosystem in the agri-food sector and strengthening the competitiveness of Northern Greece.
Thess InnoFood Hub’s value proposition is the creation of a sustainable agri-food ecosystem that will actively support the development of innovative products and services with significant social, economic, and environmental impact.
