The historic city of Athens is set to host a grand event in the world of innovation and entrepreneurship. The EIT Jumpstarter 2023 Grand Final, happening on November 30, 2023, is not just an ordinary event; it’s a celebration of vision, determination, and groundbreaking ideas. The event will also be available via live stream.
Over 200 teams from 25 countries, including the outermost regions of the European Union, embarked on a transformative journey six months ago with the EIT Jumpstarter 2023 programme. This rigorous 7-month training has been a crucible of innovation, shaping ideas into potential game-changers. Out of these, 54 teams, comprised of over 100 innovators, have emerged as finalists.
These are the best of the best, ready to showcase their pioneering solutions in Athens. With a total award fund of €160,000 at stake and each category’s first-place winner bagging €10,000, excitement and potential are sky-high.
Piotr Boulange programme lead stated: “The early-stage entrepreneurial journey is fraught with challenges, from understanding market dynamics to attracting initial funding, but as our EIT Jumpstarter participants have shown, with the right guidance, preparation, and resilience, one can overcome these challenges. These innovators are now better positioned to attract investment, not just because of the viability of their ideas, but because of their improved business acumen and pitching expertise.”
The EIT community powers this esteemed pre-accelerator programme, now in its seventh edition. As the spotlight turns to Athens, both emerging innovators and veteran investors are invited to witness this entrepreneurial metamorphosis. The event will be streamed live online on November 30, 2023. Registration is available now!
Marios Vlachogiannis, Co-founder and Production Manager of the Coffe-Eco startup and an alumnus of the EIT Jumpstarter 2020 said: “In 2020, our journey with EIT Jumpstarter transformed my University of Patras research into Coffe-eco, a business valued today at multi-million euros. The company, initially focusing on coffee residue utilization, now has evolved into an innovative approach to agro-industrial waste, pioneering upcycling and sustainable practices. Our progress, fuelled by a significant 400-thousand-euro investment from Coffee Island shareholders, exemplifies the transformative power of knowledge, networking, and funding in turning visionary ideas into reality.”
The EIT Jumpstarter 2023 Grand Final promises to be an exhibition of innovation in action. Innovators from across Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe will present ideas across nine categories including Health, Digital, Raw Materials, Food, InnoEnergy, Manufacturing, Urban Mobility, New European Bauhaus, and the newly added Rebuild Ukraine. This event stands as a beacon of structured guidance, unwavering commitment, and visionary thinking in the world of entrepreneurship.
As Athens prepares to welcome these innovators, the EIT Jumpstarter 2023 Grand Final is not just an event; it aims to be a glimpse into the future of innovation and a testament to the power of human ingenuity and perseverance. Pre-registration for EIT Jumpstarter 2024 is also available now!