ICT2B platform launches the Chalkidiki Venture Academy to facilitate the creation of the next generation high tech start-ups in Europe

Information technology researchers, business students, technology and business experts came from all over Europe to participate in the Venture Academy and worked for three days to shape their ideas into viable products and services based on cutting edge ICT research. They brought with them knowledge, enthusiasm and open minds and they returned feeling that they participated in a dynamic community of new technology ventures. Over 50 researchers and business students, 10 mentors and 15 technology and business experts created a unique atmosphere of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. Participants said:

“I feel privileged to be part of the ICT2B project… It is always fascinating to see how the different experiences from different backgrounds can contribute and elevate the level of the solutions.”
Raya Volinsky, Partner Business Development Manager
EPG Western Europe HQ

“One of the great things was the blend of experts from different organisations who could share different experiences and areas of expertise”
Dave Grimes, High Growth Manager, Business Growth Service, UK

“I really enjoyed the diversity of the teams… There was hardly any minute that I wasn’t having any interesting discussion”
Jérôme Lutz, Venture Partner and Deal Scout at Seventure

The event was organized by the South East European Research Center and the ICT2B project and took place at the Athos Palace Hotel, Chalkidiki Greece from June 22 to June 24 2014. The participating teams of ICT researchers and business students with innovative ideas were coached and advised by experts coming from Amazon, Microsoft, KPMG, McKinsey as well as representatives of local industry, Business Angels and Crowd funding platforms. The Venture Academy is an annual event organized by the ICT2B consortium that is led by Fraunhofer IOSB and includes the University of Sheffield, UK, Twente University, Netherlands, Techion University, Israel and the South East European Research Center of Thessaloniki, Greece. It was supported by the ThesSmart Innohub of the Alexandrian Innovation Zone of Thessaloniki.

More info:
www.ict2b.net
www.facebook.com/ICT2B
www.witter.com/ICT_2B