The Hellenic Initiative’s (THI) annual awards program providing direct support to Greek early stage, proven startups.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED

These startups were declared the VIA Winners in 2024

Adam Health
Billys
Caius
Coffee-Eco
Dataphoria
MindTheHack
Robenso
Scidrones

Since 2020, we have awarded 57 winners with $915,000 in cash prizes!

 

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The Hellenic Initiative

750 Lexington Ave. 9th floor
New York, NY 10022
United States
+646 926 1972

VIEW MORE STARTUPS WE HAVE HELPED WATCH 2020 CEREMONY RECAP WATCH 2021 CEREMONY RECAP

The Venture Impact Awards support for profit projects which demonstrate:

Financial Sustainability

Scalability

Impact

Who can apply?

For profit companies submit their proposals by applying here. We do not accept applications at the idea or concept phase or from entities who have raised over $5,000,000 in funding aside from founders’ capital.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED
What do you get?

The VIA will distribute a total of $100,000 in 2024 to the winning teams. Projects we have supported in previous years are featured below.

SEE PROJECTS
What are we looking for?

We are looking for for-profit entities able to improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Greece. We want to award projects that showcase human / social / environmental impact and promote innovation. VIA rewards sound economic models which also “do good” for Greece.

WATCH 2021 CEREMONY

The Venture Impact Awards

Honoring a Greek Startup for their exceptional work

Learn More

Providing Help

The VIA will provide much-needed help and support to startups vetted by a team of judges seeking capital to expand and create new jobs.

Problem Solving

Award winners will be selected based not only on their ability to generate financial returns but also on how they address critical markets and how they solve a range of social and environmental problems.

Social Impact

The VIA will act as a tool that promotes early-stage impact investing designed to help companies produce returns while having a measurable social impact.

Award Winners


$10,000 - $50,000 in prize money per winner. Award sizes differ yearly.

Investing

The VIA will invest in various business sectors that Greece can offer a strong value proposition like Software & Deep Tech, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Agro & Food, Tourism & Real Estate.

APPICATIONS CLOSED

Meet the 2024 Judges

Winners are selected by a panel of prominent business leaders within the Hellenic community.

Harriette Condes Zervakis
Harriette Condes Zervakis
Administrator
The Charles C. Condes Trust
Jeremy Downward
Jeremy Downward
Executive Director
Aristeus Financial Services
Peter J. Poulos
Peter J. Poulos
President
Poulos Brothers, Inc.
Chris Tsiolis
Chris Tsiolis
CEO
Proago Marketing Systems
Philip Voutsas
Philip Voutsas
Co-Founder
Heartwood Sustainable Industries International
Michael Printzos
Michael Printzos
Greece, Country Head
The Hellenic Initiative
Vlassis Adraktas
Vlassis Adraktas
Program Officer
The Hellenic Initiative

Harriette Condes Zervakis

AdministratorThe Charles C. Condes Trust
As the administrator for The Charles C. Condes Trust, Harriette Condes Zervakis seeks to fulfill the wishes of her beloved late uncle. Charles C. Condes was an accomplished investor, mechanical engineer, and philanthropist who valued an influential Greek diaspora, the Greek Orthodox faith, and a prosperous economic future for those in Greece.   Condes Zervakis is a retired secondary school educator, professional developer, and administrator. She has presented and co-presented at local and national conferences on the topics of school improvement and small learning communities. She was recognized by the School Board of Thornton Township High Schools, the Faculty Association (IEA), and the South Suburban Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (Chicago Metropolitan area) for exemplary leadership. In addition, she was nominated by students and listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.   Condes Zervakis served as president of The Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois, co-president of The Greek Women’s University Club, and president of the parish council of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Homer Glen, Illinois. For more than ten years, she was a regular contributor to the The Greek Star and other newspapers, and wrote an article for the book Modern Greece (2022) edited by Dr. Elaine Thomopoulos.

Jeremy Downward

Executive DirectorAristeus Financial Services
In 2016 Jeremy set up Aristeus, a fully regulated asset management firm in Cyprus and is the company’s CIO. In 2001 Jeremy set up a family office managing the investments of a prominent European family. The office made investments across the asset class spectrum in developed and emerging markets. He acted as CIO until late 2015 and remains a board member. Previously Jeremy was a founding partner and board member of Greece’s first investment bank, Alpha Finance from 1989 to 2001. Alpha Finance listed on the Athens Stock Exchange is April 1995 and was sold to Alpha Bank in 2001. Prior to Alpha Finance he worked at Continental Illinois Bank in New York, Athens and Piraeus. Jeremy graduated from Leeds University in 1976. He sits on the boards or advisory committees of various companies, investment vehicles, educational bodies and NGOs.

Peter J. Poulos

PresidentPoulos Brothers, Inc.
Peter Poulos has worked as a fundraiser for decades. Early in his career, he joined Manatos & Manatos a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. After that he served as a fundraiser for the Bob Kerrey for United States Senator from Nebraska campaign and the Paul Simon for United States Senator from Illinois campaign. A native New Yorker, he moved to San Francisco in 1989 to work as a political fundraiser for Kevin F. Shelley, former supervisor and secretary of state, and the late lieutenant governor, Leo T. McCarthy. In 1993, Mr. Poulos opened Poulos Brothers, a fundraising and event-planning firm. In the span of 14 years, Poulos Brothers worked with over 100 nonprofit organizations and political candidates. In 1997, he began working with amfAR and continued to do so until he left San Francisco in 2006. He has raised millions of dollars for the fight against HIV/AIDS as well as breast cancer research, civil rights, homelessness, and the environment. He is the former Executive Director of The Hellenic Initiative. Mr. Poulos is a third generation American and an active member of the Greek American community.

Chris Tsiolis

CEOProago Marketing Systems
Chris Tsiolis is a seasoned entrepreneur and digital marketing expert with over 15 years of experience driving growth and innovation across various industries. His expertise spans helping financial professionals scale businesses through unique sales experiences and integrating advanced digital systems. Having worked with influential figures like CNBC's Jon & Pete Najarian and Grant Cardone, Chris has been instrumental in generating over $100 million in revenue for companies in financial media and influencer marketing. Based in Chicago, he continues to push the boundaries of digital innovation, working with both startups and established companies generating over $1 million in revenue to grow to the next level.

Philip Voutsas

Co-FounderHeartwood Sustainable Industries International
Philip Voutsas, born and bred in Pretoria, South Africa, is an Ecopreneur. Qualified as an Agricultural Economist, he is passionate about the development of and investment in the sustainable industries sector. Philip has co-founded a specialised international technology development company. This company holds patent rights to a chemical compound which modifies sustainably grown softwoods into woods that match or surpass the properties of tropical hardwoods. As a dendrophile, Philip’s business merges his love for trees with his vision for creating a sustainable future. As part of the Greek diaspora, Philip is intent on returning Greece to its former glory.

Michael Printzos

Greece, Country HeadThe Hellenic Initiative

Michael Printzos brings over 20 years of hands-on experience in the commercialization of R&D results, having worked with numerous companies and organizations in the USA, UK, Germany, Singapore, and Greece. Currently, he serves as the Greece, Country Director of The Hellenic Initiative, where he focuses on investing in the nation's future through direct philanthropy and economic revitalization.

In the past, Michael has been a trainer and invited speaker at conferences on innovation management and incubation. He is also the co-founder of two start-ups—one based in Athens, focusing on the renewable energy sector, and the other, a medical imaging software company, based in Oxford.

Additionally, Michael is a committee member of the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce’s Innovation-Education-Entrepreneurship Committee, where he contributes to establishing a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and adapting best practices and policies. He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Science from Oxford University (UK). In 2015, he was recognized as one of the 40 under 40 European Young Leaders representing Greece.

Vlassis Adraktas

Program OfficerThe Hellenic Initiative

Vlassis Adraktas has more than 10 years of experience in the philanthropic sector, having worked at some of the most prominent foundations in Greece. He has developed and implemented funding strategies in a broad range of programmatic areas, such as economic development, innovation, poverty relief and education. He is currently the Program Officer at The Hellenic Initiative, where he oversees the organization’s programs, investing in the country’s future through philanthropy and economic development.

Vlassis has also participated in various committees and panels of start-up incubation programs and has provided pro-bono consulting and mentoring to non-profits. He holds an Master’s degree in Economics and Management in the Creative Industries from Bocconi University and a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from the American College of Greece.

Greeks Helping Greeks

About The Hellenic Initiative

About THI

About THI

Since our founding in 2012 The Hellenic Initiative (THI) has been working diligently to train, mentor, and create jobs and economic opportunities for Greeks of all ages and backgrounds. We are proud of the organizations and the program that we support working side by side with teams on the ground, trying to make a real difference for thousands of Greeks. Today our work is needed more than ever.

Direct Crisis Relief

THI, together with its relief partners, is answering the call by providing a critical safety net to families hardest hit by the crisis

Learn More
Economic and Entrepreneurial Development

THI is supporting initiatives that promote near-term job growth while laying the foundations for long-term strategic development:

Learn More

Greece is not Greece right now.

Greece is not Greece right now.

Greece is not Greece right now. Its beating heart has been slowed, its colors muted, and its voice quieted. Tourists trickle through streets that are accustomed to bustling masses. So much of what we love about our vibrant country has been muffled by a virus that feeds on community, socialization and hospitality.

Startups that we worked with in the past are now starving for cash. Many other businesses had to lay off their staff and all that is happening in a country that is still in recovery. It was an easy call for us to double down on our Economic Development assistance trying to help as many as possible.

Making Progress

Making Progress

Through our work with programs like the Athens Venture Fair, Envolve Greece and Venture Garden we have worked with high-growth startups, helping them raise capital, get advice and expand their markets. This year we are launching a new program called the Venture Impact Award (VIA).

Programs: THI's Economic Development Activities at a Glance

THI’s Economic Development Activities at a Glance

Since our founding in 2012 The Hellenic Initiative (THI) has invested over 60% ($12 million) of its total philanthropic dollars to train, mentor, and create jobs for Greeks in Greece, and to support Greek entrepreneurs start, grow and expand Greek companies.

We are proud of the organizations and programs that we support.

In Greece, THI Supports and Funds the Largest and Most Successful:

  • Job Creation Program

    • Over 3,000 direct jobs created
    • Working with Greece’s top 1,000 companies
    • 150,000 hours of training delivered
    • 90% job retention rate
  • Entrepreneurial
    Education Course

    • 38 training modules since 2014 (includes Athens, Thessaloniki and Heraklion campuses)
    • 12 cities visited with VentureGarden’s GreenHouse mobile program
    • 125 ventures created or supported
    • Over 300 new jobs created
  • Annual Pitching Event

    • Over 70 high growth companies mentored
    • Over 500 international investors participated
    • Greece’s only American-style pitching event
  • Business
    Plan Competition

    • 10 years supporting leading startups in Greece
    • 37 winners from 20 different business sectors
    • Over Over 40,000 entrepreneurs engaged
    • Over €6 million EUR in funding awarded

Impact: THI's Economic Development Activities at a Glance

THI’s Economic Development Activities at a Glance

Since our founding in 2012 The Hellenic Initiative (THI) has invested over 60% ($10 million) of its total philanthropic dollars to train, mentor, and create jobs for Greeks in Greece, and to support Greek entrepreneurs start, grow and expand Greek companies.

We are proud of the organizations and programs that we support.

THI Programs’ Aggregate Impact on Greek Economic Development and Entrepreneurship

  • Over €100 million
    investments unlocked

  • Invested $10 million in promising Greek startups

  • Engaged with over 55,000 entrepreneurs and job seeking millenials

  • Gave back 15,000 hours of volunteer community service

VIA Sponsors

The Hellenic Initiative is grateful to our sponsors who support The Venture Impact
Award

CONTACT US TO BECOME A SPONSOR TODAY

Level I Sponsor

  • The Hellenic Initiative
  • The Charles C. Condes Trust

+646 926 1972


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United States

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The Hellenic Initiative

750 Lexington Ave. 9th floor
New York, NY 10022
United States
+646 926 1972