Columbia University and the National Technical University of Athens Create the Next Generation of Global Leaders

With the aim of cultivating a new generation of world-class scientists and visionary entrepreneurs, a new and ambitious initiative of Columbia University, in collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), was launched in Greece under the title “Lab to Market: Bridging Innovation and Entrepreneurship.”

Columbia Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, together with NTUA, is overseeing the program, with implementation by the Columbia Global Center in Athens and strategic support from Columbia Business School, Endeavor Greece, and the Hellenic Institute for Advanced Studies (HIAS). Its objective is to create, for the first time in Greece, in such a systematic way, a meaningful bridge between academia and entrepreneurship.

Through a structured and demanding program, students, as well as early-career researchers from across the country, gain the knowledge, networks, and resources they need to transform their scientific research and innovative ideas into viable businesses. The initiative is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Blavatnik Family Foundation, which has long supported leading researchers and future leaders worldwide, helping to address some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

The opening event of the Program, at NTUA, was honored by the presence of the Prime Minister’s spouse, Mrs. Grabowski-Mitsotakis; the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Ms. Niki Kerameus; as well as the Deputy Minister of Development, responsible for Research &Innovation, Mr. Stavros Kalafatis.

Image

Four Program Pillars 

As stated by Shih-Fu Chang, dean of the Columbia Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, “This new program fully leverages Columbia’s deep expertise and extensive experience in translating research into tangible benefits for society. It’s also fully aligned with our shared vision, Engineering for Humanity.” This philosophy underpins the program’s four core pillars:

1. Education
   Specialized seminars delivered by faculty members from Columbia and NTUA, covering fundamental principles of entrepreneurship, from drafting a business plan and identifying target markets to product design and development.
2. Mentorship and Networking
   Systematic mentoring and active connection to the Greek and international innovation ecosystems, through the networks of Endeavor Greece and HIAS.
3. Study Trip to New York
   Participation in NY Tech Week (early June), offering teams direct exposure to Columbia’s and New York City’s leading entrepreneurial and academic environments.
4. Competition and Funding
   A business plan competition with cash prizes totaling up to ~$13,500 (€10,000), aimed at supporting the most mature and innovative proposals.

The program is offered entirely free of charge to all participants, including the trip to New York, thanks to the generous support of the Blavatnik Family Foundation. As noted by Len Blavatnik, founder of the Foundation and Columbia alumnus, “We are delighted to support this initiative and to help young people in Greece fully realize their enormous potential.”

The initiative has a five-year horizon. This year’s program focuses on three critical areas: artificial intelligence, energy and sustainability, and health technologies.

The First Cohort

The inaugural cohort consists of 90 students and researchers, selected through a highly competitive process. “The number of applications exceeded all expectations,” noted Stefanos Gandolfo, director of the Columbia Global Center in Athens, “as we received more than 105 applications from teams representing over 400 students in total, the majority of whom were graduates of NTUA.”

Applications were rigorously evaluated by a committee comprising faculty from Columbia and NTUA, as well as executives from Endeavor Greece and HIAS. The main selection criteria were the quality and innovative factor of the proposals, as well as the composition and dynamics of the teams.

Profile of selected participants:

• Gender: 60% men, 40% women
• Geographic distribution: From 18 cities and towns across Greece, including Drama, Xanthi, Trikala, Ioannina, Heraklion, Aigio, Preveza, Athens, and Thessaloniki

Studies: Enrolled in 8 Greek universities, with primary fields including computer science (33%), electrical engineering (24%), civil engineering (8%), and medicine and life sciences (8%)

The Mentors

A decisive role in the program’s success is played by a team of internationally recognized mentors who generously contribute their time and expertise on a voluntary basis. Konstantza Sbokou-Konstantakopoulou, chair of Endeavor Greece and an NTUA alumna, noted: “Greek academic research is one of our country’s most important strategic advantages. Lab to Market launches with a clear goal: to bridge the gap between knowledge and the market, transforming research into sustainable entrepreneurial initiatives. By launching the program and offering free participation to 90 graduates and researchers, we are making a meaningful investment in the country’s human capital, creating new opportunities both for Greece and for the next generation.”

The voluntary contribution of these professionals, many of whom are alumni of NTUA and Columbia University, brings hands-on knowledge from the front lines of entrepreneurship and investment. As emphasized by Petros Koumoutsakos, professor of computational science at Harvard University and president of HIAS, “HIAS’s mission is to build and promote international collaborations and exchanges among Greeks, Americans, and scholars, academics, and policymakers of the Greek diaspora.

HIAS is an active member of the Lab to Market initiative and will play a crucial role in its success, contributing through expert speakers and assisting in the curation of specialized academic or business workshops. It will support the program by providing guidance through experts and researchers associated with HIAS in designated areas and will connect participants’ ongoing research initiatives with international programs focused on entrepreneurship."

The Need for Internationalization of Greek Universities

The initiative is part of the broader framework for the internationalization of Greek higher education, strengthened by government reforms since its first term under former Minister of Education Niki Kerameus, granting universities greater flexibility to establish partnerships with leading institutions abroad. As emphasized by the Minister of Labor and Social Security and former Minister of Education, “Lab to Market exemplifies a model of strategic international collaboration, connects education with employment, and invests in our most valuable asset, human capital. Fostering a culture of openness and innovation is a key step in transforming Greek universities, and young people are the most critical group in which we must invest.”

Deputy Minister of Development, responsible for Research and Innovation, Stavros Kalafatis, noted: “This initiative constitutes a bold step toward linking scientific excellence with entrepreneurial innovation. At the Ministry of Development, we support every effort that strengthens the ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship, so that new knowledge is transformed into solutions, products, and services that improve citizens’ daily lives, enhance the country’s competitiveness, and contribute to sustainable development. Through the creation of Networks of Technology Transfer Offices, funding actions for spin-offs and deep-tech startups, and international cooperation programs, we open pathways for outward-looking engagement and empower the new generation of entrepreneurs. We are transforming Greece into an international hub for research, technology, and innovation.”

The Rector of NTUA, Professor Ioannis Chatjigeorgiou, underlined that “a change in mindset within universities is perhaps the most important step for Greece’s transition to a sustainable knowledge-based economy.” As he noted, cultivating a culture of openness and innovation is crucial for the transformation of Greek universities, with young people at the forefront of progress and development. NTUA, as the country’s oldest and strongest technological institution, contributes scientific excellence, a strong research base, and high-caliber students, significantly strengthening the initiative’s impact.

About the Partners

The Columbia Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science demonstrates its strong and longstanding commitment to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, supported by a robust ecosystem that ensures research outcomes have real-world impact. Through initiatives such as Lab to Market, the Ventures Competition, Start Me Up, and the Silberstein Family Executives in Residence Program, the School empowers faculty, students, and partners to launch and scale technologies with meaningful reach. This capacity is further enhanced by Columbia Global, which connects the University’s intellectual capital with partners worldwide to accelerate scientific progress and social impact.

The National Technical University of Athens is the oldest and largest technological institution in Greece and one of Europe’s leading polytechnic universities, producing cutting-edge research in engineering sciences, technology, construction, artificial intelligence, and energy. It is internationally recognized for its high-quality education, distinguished faculty and researchers, significant international collaborations, iconic role in Greek history, and substantial contribution to society. Its academic and research programs are renowned for their excellence, graduate employability is exceptionally high, and admission to NTUA is the most demanding among Greek universities. NTUA also maintains a strong connection with the Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science, as 15 members of its faculty are NTUA alumni.

The Columbia Global Center in Athens serves as Columbia University’s hub in Greece and the wider region. Its mission is to build bridges between Columbia and the Greek academic community through innovative and impactful programs in education and research. The Center supports students and researchers from both communities, strengthening academic exchange, facilitating collaborative research, and promoting dialogue.

Endeavor Greece, the leading global network supporting high-impact entrepreneurs—co-founded by a Columbia alumnus and currently led by members of the Columbia community—and the Hellenic Institute for Advanced Studies, the network of top Greek scientists worldwide, will provide additional mentorship and access to a broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, further enhancing the initiative’s success.

The Blavatnik Family Foundation, founded by Sir Leonard Blavatnik, provides many of the world’s best researchers, scientists, and future leaders with the support and funding they need to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges. The Foundation is funded exclusively by its founder and has contributed more than $1.3 billion to over 250 world-renowned institutions and philanthropic organizations over the past decade.

Lead Photo Caption: Celebrating the launch event in Greece for “Lab to Market: Bridging Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” 

Lead Photo Credit: NTUA