We participated in the 13th Regional Growth Conference in Patras
NBG and its Business Seeds program actively contribute to regional growth, and accordingly we were delighted to accept the invitation to participate for another year in the 13th Regional Growth Conference 2025 held at the Cultural & Conference Center of the University of Patras, Monday 12 to Wednesday 14 May. As part of our presence at the event we participated in two panels coordinated by George Nikolaou, Strategy Analyst at the NBG Business Innovation Development Subdivision.
On the first panel under the title “New Technologies – New Business Models – Financing”, comprised of Ms. Rena Konomi, Director and Head of Intelligent Automation Services, Grant Thornton, Mr. Stratos Simopoulos, president of the Special Permanent Committee on Research & Technology of the Hellenic Parliament, Ms. Katerina Sourouni, National Technology Officer Microsoft, Mr. Thanasis Patsakas, Country Manager for AWS in Greece, Cyprus and Malta, Amazon Web Services Patsakas, they discussed issues related to the progress of new technologies vis-a-vis the development of digital AI platforms, innovative business models, and new forms of financing. At the same time, the contribution of technology and investments in creating new growth opportunities in the Greek regions was explored.
Next, on the “Financing Innovation” panel, Mr. Thomas Athanasiou, Partner L-Stone Capital, Mr. Giorgos Karantonis, Partner Metavallon, Ms. Litsa Panagiotopoulou, Chair of the Education, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Committee of the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Alexandra Sarma, General Manager of Orange Grove, and Ms. Dora Trahana, Partner of Uni.fund, discussed investment funds, venture capital, and government funding that support startups and research projects, placing emphasis on the opportunities presented by the Regions.