News

PRAXI Network, a unit of the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), is organising the event “Early Stage Finance and the Role of Technology Transfer Offices”, which will take place on Thursday, 11 June 2026, at Divani Palace Acropolis Hotel in Athens.

The event aims to serve as a meeting point for representatives of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), the investment community, research organisations, incubators, businesses and policy stakeholders, fostering dialogue on innovation financing, research valorisation and the commercialisation of research outcomes. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of Technology Transfer Offices in facilitating the transition of research from the laboratory to the marketplace and in unlocking new opportunities for investment, growth and innovation.

From Research to Market: The Key Challenge

Over the past years, Greece has made significant progress in developing innovation support mechanisms, establishing and strengthening Technology Transfer Offices, and generating research results with commercial potential. At the same time, investment activity within the innovation ecosystem has increased considerably, creating new opportunities for researchers, universities, startups and businesses.

Nevertheless, the journey of a technology from the laboratory to the marketplace remains a complex process that requires close collaboration among research organisations, Technology Transfer Offices, investors, incubators and entrepreneurship support structures.

Timely access to funding, technology maturation, effective licensing strategies and the creation of sustainable business ventures are critical prerequisites for successfully transforming research outcomes into economic and societal value.

Thematic Discussions and Knowledge Exchange

The event will feature thematic panel discussions with the participation of representatives from Technology Transfer Offices, investment organisations, incubators, research institutions and innovation stakeholders.

Discussions will focus on topics such as:

• challenges in the organisation and operation of Technology Transfer Offices in Greece,
• attracting investment for emerging technologies and understanding investors’ expectations,
• the role of incubators in supporting startups and collaborating with TTOs,
• strategies for technology licensing and commercialisation.

In addition, an educational Pitching Session will be held, during which research teams and startup companies will present their innovative technologies to members of the investment community and receive feedback from experienced reviewers.

Building a More Mature Innovation Ecosystem

The event seeks to contribute to the development of a more mature and interconnected innovation support framework in Greece by highlighting best practices and strengthening collaboration across the entire knowledge valorisation chain.

Through dialogue among research organisations, Technology Transfer Offices, investors, incubators and entrepreneurship support organisations, the event aims to showcase new approaches and partnerships that can accelerate technology transfer and support the creation of internationally competitive innovative businesses.

Who Should Attend

The event is addressed to Technology Transfer Office professionals, researchers, academics, representatives of investment funds and financing organisations, incubator and accelerator managers, startup and spin-off founders, as well as representatives of public and institutional bodies active in the fields of research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Event Information

Date: 11 June 2026
Time: 09:00 – 19:00
Venue: Divani Palace Acropolis Hotel, Athens

Participation is free of charge.

Co-organisers

• University of West Attica (UNIWA)
• Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU)
• Hellenic Pasteur Institute
• National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF)
• Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR)
• Fleming Biomedical Sciences Research Center
• ELGO-DIMITRA (Hellenic Agricultural Organization DIMITRA)
• National Observatory of Athens
• University of Ioannina
• University of Patras
• Ionian University
• University of the Peloponnese
• C NEST Accelerator – Crete Business Incubator
• National Centre for Social Research – ΕΚΚΕ

The event is organised by PRAXI Network within the framework of the TETRIS – Technology Transfer and Research Innovation Synergy project and the smartHEALTH European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) project. TETRIS is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Greek State under the Competitiveness Programme 2021–2027, while smartHEALTH is co-funded by the European Union through the Digital Europe Programme and the National Competitiveness Programme (ESPA 2021–2027).