Piraeus Bank | Accelerating Innovation from Idea to Investment

Date

May 19 2026

Time

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Labels

Main Event Hall A

Location

Pavilion 15 Thessaloniki International Fair
Pavilion 15 Thessaloniki International Fair
Egnatias 154, TIF, Thessaloniki 546 36
Website
https://thessalonikifair.gr/el

11:30 – 12:15 | Panel Discussion: “From Idea to Market: Experiences from the 1st Cycle of the Piraeus Startup Accelerator”:
• Charalampos Tzanidis, Co-founder & CEO at SCILEND
• Panagiotis Pantazis, Co-founder & COO at SCILEND
• Thomas Bountouridis, CEO at Honestli
• Panagiotis Karadaglis, Founder at LifePulse
• Katerina Gianniki, Graphic Designer at LifePulse
• Christos Kouros, co-founded at Prooflab

Moderator: Nasos Koskinas, CEO & Founder at POS4work Innovation Hub

12:15 – 13:00 | Fireside chat: “From Idea to Funding”
• Evangelos Kosmidis, CEO at Loggerhead VC

Moderator: Nasos Koskinas, CEO & Founder at POS4work Innovation Hub

Who the
Speakers are:

Speakers

  • Charalampos Tzanidis
    Charalampos Tzanidis
    Co-founder & CEO at SCILEND

    Charalampos Tzanidis is the Co-founder and CEO of SCILEND, a digital platform that connects companies, startups and researchers with laboratories and scientific infrastructure for testing, analysis and R&D services.
    He is currently studying Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Ioannina, with an academic background in the mechanical behavior of materials, materials characterization and composite materials technologies. He has also gained experience in finite element simulations using ANSYS, mechanical testing analysis and laboratory-based R&D methodologies.
    Through SCILEND, Charalampos is actively involved in the strategic development of the platform and in the coordination of collaborations between companies and research laboratories. His work focuses on bridging market needs with available scientific expertise and laboratory infrastructure, helping transform technical requirements into structured R&D projects.
    He has experience in business development, scientific coordination, project management and stakeholder communication. He has contributed to the development of partnerships with university and private laboratories, as well as to early collaborations with companies and pilot projects through SCILEND.
    Charalampos has participated in entrepreneurship and innovation programs, including GreenTech Challenge, UoI Innovation Generator, Piraeus Startup Accelerator and the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA). Through these experiences, he has developed skills in pitching, startup validation, business strategy and innovation-driven project development.
    As CEO, he plays a central role in SCILEND’s strategic planning, partner network development and project coordination. He also represents the company within the startup, research and innovation ecosystem, contributing to SCILEND’s mission to make access to scientific infrastructure more transparent, efficient and accessible.

  • Christos Kouros
    Christos Kouros
    Co-founder of Prooflab

    Christos Kouros is an AI Engineer and former startup founder, focused on building practical AI systems.
    He co-founded Prooflab, an AI adoption platform designed to help organizations safely and effectively integrate AI into their workflows. Through this experience, he worked closely with clients, helping organizations identify and validate high-impact use cases while delivering challenging AI projects. During his time at Prooflab, he participated in startup competitions, was incubated by Ideas Forward and joined accelerator programs, including being selected among the top startups in the Piraeus Startup Accelerator. He contributed to securing early-stage funding through team-led investment and accelerator program support.
    He began his career as a software engineering intern, quickly progressing to a full-time role, where he gained experience delivering solutions for real-world business needs and collaborating within professional teams.
    Christos holds an MSc in Data and Web Science from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, graduating with distinction, as well as a BSc in Computer Science from the same institution. His academic work focused on evaluating AI systems and understanding how to measure their performance in practical scenarios, resulting in published work in the field, an area that continues to shape his professional interests. Overall, he is driven by a strong passion for technology and AI. Outside of his professional work, hemaintains an active lifestyle through running, hiking and dancing.

  • Evangelos Kosmidis
    Evangelos Kosmidis
    CEO & Founder at Loggerhead VC

    Dr. Evangelos Kosmidis is an active entrepreneur and a High-Level Expert Consultant in Environmental ICT and Decision Support Systems in networking environments.
    He has participated in developing and managing numerous strategic environmental projects in the public and private sectors for ministries, research organizations, and private companies, including the Ministry of the Environment and the European Commission.
    As a serial entrepreneur, he has successfully exited 3 different technology and consulting startups in the last 5 years.
    He has a 25-year track record of mentoring and supporting scientific teams, helping them integrate their academic knowledge and research findings into the market using pioneering approaches in the fields of disruptive technologies and environmental innovation.
    He holds a Bachelor of Physics from AUTH, an MSc in Atmospheric Sciences from UCLA, a PhD in Atmospheric Physics, and a Business Excellence Certificate from the University of Berkeley, CA.
    He is also an internationally certified Future Strategist.

  • Katerina Gianniki
    Katerina Gianniki
    Graphic Designer at LifePulse

    A motivated Physics undergraduate at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (expected June 2025), with a strong interest in electronics and particle physics, combined with hands-on experience in graphic design and digital content creation. Currently working as a Graphic Designer at LifePulse, contributing to the development of original illustrations and shaping the application’s visual identity, as well as supporting public outreach initiatives. Previous experience includes a Graphic Design internship at the Greek NewSpace Society, where responsibilities involved creating visual content for social media and enhancing digital assets.
    Possesses a blend of technical and creative skills, including programming (C, MATLAB), proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, web design using WordPress, and social media management. Demonstrates strong teamwork, problem-solving, organizational, and creative thinking abilities through both academic and extracurricular activities. Active member of the Physicists of AUTH (PATh), contributing to public relations and graphic design, and having served as PR Coordinator and Event Manager (2022–2023). Additionally engaged in long-term cultural activities through participation in traditional dance groups. Fluent in English (Cambridge B2) and certified in core computer skills (ECDL).

  • Nasos Koskinas
    Nasos Koskinas
    CEO & Founder at POS4work Innovation Hub

    Nasos Koskinas is the Founder & CEO of POS4work – Point of Synergy, an innovation hub based in Patras, Greece. He is an Electrical and Computer Engineer with a specialization in innovation and entrepreneurship, and a member of the Regional Council for Research and Innovation of Western Greece. Through POS4work, he has designed and implemented numerous programs supporting startups, researchers and entrepreneurial teams, including the Piraeus Startup Accelerator, a nationwide initiative developed in collaboration with Piraeus Bank. He has worked with international organizations and leading companies to strengthen the Greek innovation ecosystem, with a focus on startup development, technology transfer, open innovation and regional entrepreneurship. In 2022, he received the IVLP Impact Award by the U.S. Department of State for his contribution to youth entrepreneurship in Greece.

  • Panagiotis Karadaglis
    Panagiotis Karadaglis
    Founder of LifePulse

    I’m Panos Karadaglis, founder of LifePulse. LifePulse is a digital ecosystem born out of a simple but critical mission: connecting blood donors with hospitals in need in real time. What started as an idea driven by social impact has grown into a comprehensive platform that actively promotes blood donation across Greece- and even secured first place and distinctions in multiple hackathons, including the first Piraeus Startup Accelerator.
    At my core, I’m a UI/UX Designer who firmly believes that empathy is everything. My goal is always to design products that turn complex challenges into meaningful, human-centered experiences.
    When I’m not leading UX research for LifePulse or building our platform, you can usually find me playing volleyball or working on my bucket-list goal of learning how to do a backflip. I’m absolutely thrilled to be here today to share the LifePulse journey.

  • Thomas Bountouridis
    Thomas Bountouridis
    CEO at Honestli

    Thomas Bountouridis is a distinguished Greek tech entrepreneur and executive leader with over 15 years of experience in business management, systems engineering, and social impact. He is currently the CEO of Honestli, a deep-tech venture dedicated to restoring digital trust through proactive media verification. Under his leadership, Honestli has developed a complex tech stack utilizing C2PA provenance standards and blockchain attestation to combat global disinformation.
    Thomas has studied electronic engineering, which provided him with a rigorous foundation in systems architecture and high-level problem solving. This technical background facilitates his ability to act as a critical interface between engineering teams and non-technical stakeholders, translating complex cryptographic and blockchain concepts into clear business value propositions. His expertise is further bolstered by specialized training in social entrepreneurship through the INCO Academy and certifications in digital trust from the EU DisinfoLab.
    Prior to Honestli, Bountouridis served as CEO of DIB-IN, an e-commerce startup that earned a semi-finalist position in a global competition hosted by the Financial Times. He also spent over a decade as the Business Manager of a limited partnership, where he managed a portfolio of over 15,000 clients and spearheaded large-scale public procurement projects.
    A highly decorated figure in the innovation ecosystem, Bountouridis is a Grand Slam Winner of the Lab.40 Accelerator and a winner of the prestigious John and Mary Pappajohn Innovation Competition. He is also a winner in the EnvolveXL 2nd cohort and has secured top honors for Investment Readiness, Growth, and Social Impact. Internationally, his work has been recognized as Top 10 in the Innovation in Politics Awards 2025 and Top 18 in the World Summit Awards 2025.
    Bountouridis is a seasoned public speaker who has represented tech initiatives on global stages such as MWC Barcelona and the EBAN Congress. His career is defined by a commitment to ethical leadership and the application of engineering logic to solve the most pressing challenges of the digital age.

  • Panagiotis Pantazis
    Panagiotis Pantazis
    Co-founder and COO of SCILEND

    Panagiotis Pantazis is the Co-founder and COO of SCILEND, a digital platform that connects companies, startups and researchers with laboratories and scientific infrastructure for testing, analysis and R&D services.
    He is currently studying Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Ioannina, with an academic background in materials technologies, laboratory analysis techniques and R&D processes. Through his studies and involvement with research environments, he has developed a solid understanding of how laboratory services can support product development, technical validation and innovation-driven projects.
    At SCILEND, Panagiotis is actively involved in the operational development of the platform and in the coordination of collaborations between companies and research laboratories. His work focuses on understanding client needs, structuring technical requests, identifying suitable laboratory services and supporting the successful implementation of R&D projects through the platform.
    He has experience in business development, partner network expansion, project coordination and communication with clients and stakeholders. He has contributed to the development of collaborations with university and private laboratories, as well as to the execution of early projects involving testing, analysis and R&D services.
    Panagiotis has also participated in entrepreneurship and innovation activities that support the development of early-stage startups. Through these experiences, he has strengthened his skills in market validation, business planning, stakeholder communication and the practical organization of innovation-driven projects.
    As COO, Panagiotis supports SCILEND’s business and financial planning, while helping manage the interaction between companies and laboratories throughout each project. His role combines technical understanding, organizational coordination and market development, contributing to SCILEND’s mission to make access to scientific infrastructure more transparent, efficient and accessible.