As an Innovation Partner of Panathēnea 2026, Qualco Foundation supported this remarkable initiative, which brought together entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and innovators from around the world. Through this partnership, Qualco Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to initiatives that promote innovation, knowledge exchange, and opportunities for the next generation.

Held over three days in Athens, from 27 to 29 May, with Zappeion Hall as its central venue, Panathēnea 2026 welcomed more than 10,000 participants from 60 countries, establishing the Greek capital as an international meeting point for technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

The programme featured discussions on artificial intelligence, investment, education, the future of work, and emerging technologies, while more than 90 parallel events across the city encouraged networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas among founders, investors, researchers, and business leaders. The event also attracted more than 3,000 startup founders, reinforcing its ambition to connect the Greek startup ecosystem with the international innovation community.

A key highlight of the programme was the Panathēnea Startup Competition, which attracted more than 100 applications from 20 countries. Six finalist teams presented their ideas to investors and industry leaders, with GIGPOSSIBLE receiving the top award.

Panathēnea 2026 also served as a platform for significant announcements with broader social impact. During a discussion between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and ElevenLabs co-founder Mati Staniszewski, the Greek government announced a collaboration with ElevenLabs to make advanced AI tools available for the creation of Greek-language educational and cultural content. The event also marked the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports and Canva, providing students and educators with free access to Canva Education. Together, these initiatives reinforced Panathēnea’s role as a meeting point not only for the innovation ecosystem, but also for partnerships with a tangible impact on education and Greece’s digital transformation.

As Innovation Partners, Qualco Group and Qualco Foundation were proud to contribute to an initiative that promotes collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing, while strengthening Athens’ position as a growing international hub for technology and entrepreneurship.

To learn more, explore ANT1’s coverage of Panathēnea 2026, featuring Qualco Foundation’s contribution as Innovation Partner and visit the official Panathēnea website: www.panathenea.org.