From research lab to market!
The Lab-To-Market Bootcamp 2024 supported 12 ambitious ventures aiming to bring technology research results to market, offering training, coaching, and networking opportunities.
A collaboration of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Alexander Innovation Zone, and Ideas Forward.
29/11 - 19/12/2024, Thessaloniki
Video
Winners
Six teams were awarded prizes worth over €8,000.
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RAISE
Business model strategy advisory
Three sessions on business model discovery with Ideas Forward
The Sustainables
Co-working office space
12 months of access to Alexander Innovation Zone’s co-working space in Thessaloniki
35Mbeats
Co-working office space
12 months of access to Alexander Innovation Zone’s co-working space in Thessaloniki
Highlights
Highlights
HighlightsWho was it for?
The Lab-To-Market Bootcamp was designed for research teams, spin-offs, and startups with a research background that want to commercialize their technological research by creating innovative products.
The program’s goal was to help ten select teams overcome typical challenges in transforming technology into a new product:
Identifying true customer needs
Developing a strategic market positioning
Confirming a strong value proposition
Designing a sustainable business model
Achieving investment readinessTrack 1: AUTh Researchers
Powered by WALK AUTh Innovation Accelerator
Track 1 applicants:
- Were a research team or spin-off affiliated with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh)
- Aimed to commercialize their research through a new product
- Had reached a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 or higher (technology validated in the lab)
Τrack 2: Open
Powered by Ideas Forward & Alexander Innovation Zone
Track 2 applicants:
- Were a research team or spin-off not affiliated with AUTh or a tech startup with a research background
- Had an established company or were in the process of setting one up
- Had reached a TRL of 6 or higher (technology demonstrated in a relevant, industry-ready environment)
How we supported the teams
Training
- to establish a robust and ambitious business model
Methodological Tools
- to manage early-stage risk, analyze the financial opportunity in your business model, and present a compelling investment case
Networking
- with experienced entrepreneurs, investors and corporate executives
Awards
- exceeding €8,000 in value, to help you take your next steps
Organizers
Schedule
From November 29th to December 19th 2024, at the premises of WALK (Aristotle University Research Results Dissemination Center) and the offices of Alexander Innovation Zone, in the center of Thessaloniki, we had the opportunity to meet and work together so that the ten selected business endeavors can take significant steps forward.Subscribe to our newsletter
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Coaches
Dimitris Kourtesis and Nikos Tsioniotis, co-founders of Ideas Forward, are experienced tech entrepreneurs. Since 2017, they have supported over 200 startups across various development stages through structured acceleration programs and bootcamps.
Speakers
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Katerina Pramatari
Partner, Uni.Fund
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Dionissis Spiliopoulos
President, KEMEL | former Managing Director, Schneider Electric Greece
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Kostas Fetfatsidis
President, NextGen Materials & Processing | Founder, Make Composites (acquired by Desktop Metal)
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Britta Balden
Founder & Managing Director, SmartLoC
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Chris Kachris
CEO & co-founder, InAccel (aquired by Intel) | Assistant Professor, University of West Attica
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Alexandros Mylonas
Group Sales Director, Alumil
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Despina Christou
Co-Founder & Chief AI Scientist, GoCharlie AI
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Panayiotis Ketikidis
President, Alexander Innovation Zone | President and Co-founder, Hellenic Business Angels Network | Chairperson, SEERC
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Grigoris Chatzikostas
General Partner, Loggerhead Ventures | Partner, reframe.food| Partner, Rainno
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Nicholas Theodorakis
Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | Co-Founder, Athletopia
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Dora Trachana
Partner, Unifund
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Vassilis Nikolopoulos
Co-founder & CTO, Avokado | Director, Applied R&D at Metlen Energy & Metals
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Lambros Tsolkas
Managing Director, Accenture Greece
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Vasilis Andreou
General Partner, Loggerhead Ventures
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Athanase Kollias
CEO, Kinvent
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Orestis Trasanidis
Managing Director, EIT Hub Silicon Valley
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Anthi Stavropoulou
Managing Director, Doppler S.A.
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Evangelos Kosmidis
CEO of Loggerhead Ventures | Founder and Head of Business Development at Draxis Environmental
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George Saperas
Partner & CFO, Uni.Fund
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Alexis Vamvakas
Partner, Evercurious
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Dimitris Maroulis
Partner & Co-Founder, Genesis Ventures
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Kyros Yakinthos
Vice Rector of Research and Innovation, AUTh
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Dimitra Pantelaki
Founder, KORI
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Chris Kachris
Founder, InAccel
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Eri Toka
Head, Aristotle University Tech Transfer Office
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Konstantinos Fouskas
Head, University of Macedonia Tech Transfer Office | Member, HeBAN
Sponsor of the 1st Prize
Supporters
Under the auspices of
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a participation fee?
No, participation in the Bootcamp is free. Costs are covered by the co-organizers: AUTh/WALK, Ideas Forward, and Alexander Innovation Zone.
Is in-person attendance required?
Yes, the Bootcamp will be held in person in Thessaloniki.
Most of the sessions will take place at the facilities of the WALK AUTh Innovation Accelerator at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (KEDEA). Specific workshops and the final presentations of the groups will take place at the premises of the Alexander Innovation Zone, in the center of Thessaloniki (Filikis Etaireias 12).Is the program only for teams?
Yes, it is designed for teams and existing companies rather than solo founders.
How much time should we commit if selected?
Approximately 30 hours over three weeks to work on your project with us.
Is attendance mandatory?
Active participation in the preparation program is a prerequisite for participation in the final and awards.
What is TRL, and how can we assess our technology’s readiness level?
The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is the assessment of the maturity of a technology from initial concept to final development. The ripening stages are 9 in total. To identify the maturity stage of your technology, you can see in the following link, the characteristics of each stage.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_readiness_levelOur research lab has more than one product we would be interested in submitting. How many proposals are we allowed to register?
Each team is allowed to submit a single entry. In case of multiple submissions, only the first will be considered.
What does a "research team" mean? Does one have to be a Researcher grade A', B', C' to participate?
A research group is the formation of 2 or more people, who have collaborated on research in previous stages of development of the technology to be submitted. The members of the research team may come from the same or different laboratories, schools, universities or research institutions.
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