Another inspiring chapter of entrepreneurial growth has come to a close as VentureGarden Athens successfully completed its 25th educational round, bringing together aspiring entrepreneurs ready to transform ideas into action.
The program kicked off on April 6 at Alba Graduate Business School, The American College of Greece, with 24 participants taking their first steps on a journey of exploration, learning, and business development. Representatives from Alpha Bank, VentureGarden’s National Sponsor, joined the opening session to welcome the new cohort and encourage participants as they embarked on their entrepreneurial path.
Over the following weeks, participants immersed themselves in an intensive learning experience designed to help them test the viability of their ideas, better understand market needs, and develop a realistic roadmap for growth. Through practical workshops, collaborative discussions, and expert guidance, they were challenged to think critically, refine their concepts, and build confidence in their entrepreneurial potential.
As always, the VentureGarden community played a central role in the experience. Alumni entrepreneurs returned to share their stories, lessons learned, and insights from the realities of building a business. Participants had the opportunity to learn from Penelope Dimitrakopoulou (The Euphoria Series), Andreas Bougiouklis (Papertrail.gr), Stelios Arabatsis (ScoopIt Store), and Thaleia Michelaki (Thaleia’s Bookbindery), whose journeys offered inspiration as well as practical advice.
The program was further enriched by the contribution of accountant and mentor Panagiotis Fakos, who shared valuable guidance on launching and managing a new venture. Participants also had the opportunity to learn more about The People’s Trust and the support pathways available to entrepreneurs seeking to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses.
The educational phase concluded on May 18 and 19 with the final presentations, a highlight of every VentureGarden cycle. Participants presented the progress they had made throughout the program, demonstrating not only how their business ideas had evolved but also how they themselves had grown as entrepreneurs. In total, 21 business concepts were presented, spanning a wide range of sectors, including agri-food, digital platforms, health and wellness services, retail, leisure, the arts, and social entrepreneurship.
With the completion of the educational phase, the journey continues. Participants now move into the mentoring stage, where dedicated mentors will work alongside them to further develop, refine, and advance their business ideas.
Implemented by AHEAD – Alba Hub for Entrepreneurship and Development at Alba Graduate Business School, VentureGarden remains committed to its mission of “Helping People Grow Ideas.” The program is supported by the National Sponsor, Alpha Bank, and at the local level, by EMA S.A.
We warmly congratulate this remarkable new group of #VentureGardeners, who now join a growing community of 668 entrepreneurs across Greece. We look forward to following their next steps and supporting them as they continue to test, implement, and grow their ideas into successful ventures.
