Startup Safary is a multi-dimensional event that guides its participants through the startup ecosystem of the hosting city.

It started in 2013 in Berlin, Germany from members of the city's startup ecosystem. Since then the event has expanded to other European cities and from 2014 it is also taking place in Athens, Greece, a city with the thriving startup ecosystem the last years, especially during the financial crisis.

Although Greece has a long history of entrepreneurship and doing business and although the first online companies started appearing in the country as early as 1998-1999, following the dot.com rise in the USA, it was only after 2010 with the economic crisis that startups started taking off. Five years in, Greece has a developing startup scene, with a lot of companies scoring big funding rounds or acquisitions, while many initiatives have started aiming at supporting new entrepreneurs.

This year Startup Safary Athens, an activity organised under the auspices of the Global Entrepreneurship Week, is taking place on November 20-22 and for three days the town's coolest startups and tech companies will open up their doors, while co-working spaces and incubators, academia and other institutions will host keynotes and side-events supporting the networking between the startup scene of the city.

Participating startups include Heliix, EazyBNB, NutrINsider, Palo Services, Conferience, Tourismart, isMOOD, Owiwi, Travelplanet24, Apivita and 100Mentors. Participating initiatives include Orange Grove, egg, Bios Romantso, InnovAthens, The Athens Incube, Stone Soup, Aephoria and Found.ation. Startup Safary Athens support among others Hellenic Professionals Informatis Society, UK Trade & Investment, City of Athens, Hellenic Startup Association, American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and ESYNE.

Startup Safary Athens organisers have put together for another year a really completed and diverse program for all the participants. Highlights include:

The Apivita Experience Store (Solonos 6 & Kanari, Kolonaki):

The company will host at its Experience Store in downtown Athens a series of keynote speeches (Apivita's Head of Human Resources, Apivita's CEO, Felix BNI's Peter Economides, Taxibeat's Nick Drandakis), as well as a recruitment session and a free diagnosis of face skin type and beauty tips.

InnovAthens (Technopolis, Kerameikos):

Seasoned institutional investor Loukas Pilitsis (founding partner at Anchorstone Partners and ex-head of Piraeus Bank Group's VC & PE) has put together a discussion panel on supporting Greek startups in scaling globally during the crisis times. He will be joined by Intale's COO Orestis Tzanetis, HSA's President Socratis Ploussas and Eurobank's Head of Digital Innovation Sotiris Sirmakezis.

StartupLab at Orange Grove (Leoforos Vassileos Konstantinou 5-7, Kallimarmaron Stadium):

The incubator set up by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Athens will be transformed into a Startup Lab of creativity and entrepreneurial experiments for this year's Startup Safary Athens. Orange Grove will host Dutch entrepreneurs and experts with experience in the Netherlands, USA, Africa, Asia and Latin America, while participants will have the chance to either start developing their ideas or early-stages startups or delve deeper into the business worl by following hands-on workshops in topics like business plan execution, advanced marketing automation, nomadic entrepreneurship etc. During Startup Safary Orange Grove will introduce for the first time in Greece the Valorisation Canvas which will help participants to develop their ideas.

Startup Safary @ the egg (Leoforos Syggrou 190, Kallithea)

The egg is a 12-month incubation program set up by Eurobank and Corallia Clusters. This year they have put together a full program with keynote speeches, as well as presentations from the companies hosted in their premises. Speakers include Athanasios Kalekos, partner at Odyssey Venture Partners, Theodoros Moulos, COO at Pinnatta, Vaggelis Papakonstantinou, co-founder at MpLegal Law Firm, Fanis Rigas, co-founder at Kariera.gr and serial entrepreneur, and Dimitris Gkanatsios, Technical Evangelist at Microsoft. In between the speeches, the visitors will have the chance to see pitches from egg startups in tourism, agrobusiness and foodtech, e-business, industrial design, ICT and edutech, medicine and pharmaceutical and logistics sectors. Last but not least egg will give voice to young innovators to pitch their own ideas for 5 minutes in front of egg stuff and visitors.

See the full program of Startup Safary Athens, arrange your own schedule of events and book your tickets at http://athens.startupsafary.com.

 

Athens is taking part in the Global Entrepreneurship Week for many years now. Host of GEW in Greece is the Federation of Hellenic Associations of Young Entrepreneurs (OESYNE). Listen below to the message of the President of Global Entrepreneurship Week Jonathan Ortmans for GEW Greece 2015.

Greece’s first professional blogger network, Travel Bloggers Greece (TBG), recently gathered at the Thermae Sylla Wellness Hotel in Edipsos, Evia Island, to celebrate its one-year anniversary and hold its first meeting of 2016.

“Our group visit to the Thermae Sylla Wellness Hotel provided a forum for our network’s first meeting of the year to discuss industry trends while giving us a great opportunity to promote Thermae Sylla’s health and spa services which are special to Greece”, said Elena Sergeeva, co-founder of TBG.

At the hotel’s Conference Center, TBG members discussed topics related to blogging in Greece, travel industry trends, improving online content, social media sharing and photography. Thermae Sylla’s therapeutic spa services rounded out the entire travel experience for the first blogger network in Greece.

“Over the past year, we have successfully promoted destinations in Greece and abroad”, said Marissa Tejada, co-founder of TBG. “Our members have a growing number of individual followers, so we are always learning effective ways to share our travel experiences through excellent content and via social media channels,” said Marissa Tejada, co-founder of TBG.”

Each TBG member is based in Greece and blogs about a specific Greece travel related theme.  A membership committee approves candidates based on specific professional criteria.

To read more, please visit: Greek Travel Pages

The UK's EU referendum will take place on 23 June with a decision of whether or not the UK will stay in the European Union.

To vote 'yes' or 'no' is important for many people, including British citizens living overseas. Here are just a few important facts about the referendum and information on how to vote!

• An estimated 5.6 million British citizens overseas
• Since 1985, anyone over 18 who has lived abroad for less than 15 years is eligible to vote in British parliamentary and European elections
• British citizens living abroad for more than 15 years are automatically disenfranchised.

Why is a referendum being held?

Prime Minister David Cameron promised to hold one if he won the 2015 general election, in response to growing calls from his own Conservative MPs and the UK Independence Party (UKIP), who argued that Britain had not had a say since 1975, when it voted to stay in the EU in a referendum. The EU has changed a lot since then, gaining more control over our daily lives, they argued. Mr Cameron said: "It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time to settle this European question in British politics."

It is a word that has become used as a shorthand way of saying the UK leaving the EU - merging the words Britain and exit to get Brexit, in a same way as a Greek exit from the EU was dubbed Grexit in the past.

British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens over 18 who are resident in the UK, along with UK nationals living abroad who have been on the electoral register in the UK in the past 15 years. Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar will also be eligible, unlike in a general election. Citizens from EU countries - apart from Ireland, Malta and Cyprus - will not get a vote.

Yes, but only if you have not lived abroad for more than 15 years.

All the details can be found here. You must be on the UK electoral roll to be able to register. You will need your national insurance number and passport.

For more information about the UK's EU referendum, please visit: BBC News

For more information on how to vote as a British expat, please visit: Euro News

Check out our latest newsletter and discover top destinations to visit with the kids, top 10 things to do in Athens and discover some of the coolest events taking place in the city!

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The idea to open a traditional Cretan kafeneio came about when two childhood friends, Yioula Svyrinaki and Michalis Psomadakis, moved to Athens in 2012. They were both working day jobs, Yioula at a deli and Michalis in construction, when they started developing their plans to open To Laini, a kafeneio (a cafe that also serves food) specializing in Cretan cuisine. Culinary Backstreets shares their story and how To Laini came to be in March 2017.

They wanted something "small, cheap, welcoming, serving great tsikoudia and good food." Their space is just that – it’s quite small, with no more than ten tables in total and a bar. Their open “kitchen” behind the bar consists of a couple of electric stoves, a camping gas canister and a portable little oven. When we first saw it, we wondered how they managed. But when there’s a will – and we would add, a love for food – there’s a way.

Their guiding philosophy is to offer dishes made with high-quality products, cooked with love and at a low price point. Everything they serve, both food and drink, comes from Crete, either from family members there or other small producers they personally know and work with. Luckily, the main distributor delivering food products from different parts of Greece to Athens is nearby.

To read this article in full, please visit: Culinary Backstreets

Photo Source: Culinary Backstreets

Great news for the environment as the use of plastic bags in supermarkets and grocery stores has dropped by 80% following the measures that were implemented in Greece in 2018. A remarkable 1.5 billion fewer plastic bags were used since the environmental measure came into effect on January 1st, 2018.

 

While plastic bags were given away for free in supermarket and retail stores up to December 2017, in 2018 businesses began charging for plastic bags, beginning at 4 cents for thin bags and going up to 40 cents for larger, thicker ones.

 

The reduction in plastic bag use is expected to be even higher in 2019, as from January 1 the charge for plastic bags will begin at 9 cents.

 

To read this article in full, please visit: Greek Reporter

The preparations for the top sports tourism event “Santorini Experience” to be held for the 5 th consecutive year, on 4-6 October 2019, in Santorini, continue with a new distinction.

Specifically, “Santorini Experience” received the highest distinction at the prestigious Ermis Awards, by receiving the Gold Award, in the “Events Production” section, in the “Sports Events” category, for the best sporting event production in 2018! The event ended last year with participants from more than 40 countries and a participation rate of 55% of men and 45% of women.

Regarding Santorini Experience’s new award, the Mayor of Santorini, Mr. Nikos Zorzos, highlighted: “For the second time in the last three years we have the pleasure of winning the golden distinction with Santorini Experience at the Ermis Awards as the best sports event production. Since the beginning of the term of this municipal authority, sports and consequently sports tourism is a top priority and “Santorini Experience” is the “flagship” of the sporting events held under our aegis. By offering residents and visitors the opportunity to participate in a sporting event that combines sport with knowledge and information, but also approaching all ages and the whole family, we have established an event, that as an institution, is increasingly attracting more people from abroad. This gives Santorini the opportunity to show its comparative advantages and to participants the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the island, as well as to try out their personal stamina. I think we have achieved a great deal of our goals and we are now looking even higher, hoping to be able to organize a half marathon and even bigger open water swimming routes in the near future”.

Only a few days left for participants to take advantage of the early bird 50% discount on registration price, until 31/3/2019. During the second wave of registrations, beginning from 1/4/2019, the discount per activity will be 25%. The third and final wave of registrations will begin from 1/6/2019 and last until the event, with the final registration cost being applied.

Register HERE!

One of the most important factors to the success of “Santorini Experience”, is the support to the organization as well as to the island itself from the hospitality sponsors, who promote the event with special offers and prices and contribute in the prominence and development of sports tourism in Santorini. Until now, this year’s effort is supported by: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Canaves Oia, Vedema a Luxury Collection Resort, Mystique a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santo Houses, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia’s View, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia, Casa Iphigenia, Sienna Resort, Esperas Santorini and Loizos Stylish Residencies, while participation continues.

Official sponsors of the event are Ford Motor Hellas, Athina Luxury Suites, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos” and Alafouzos Sport. For one more year, Luanvi is the official sports supplier of the event.
Official supporters of the event are: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Boatmen Union Santorini and Avance Rent A Car.
“Santorini Experience” is assisted by Lifeguard Patrol, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Mediterranean Dive Club, Atlantis Dive Center and Santorini Nautical Club. “Santorini Experience” is a co-organization of Municipality of Santorini, Municipal Sports Cultural Environmental Organization of Santorini (DAPPOS) and Active Media Group.

More info at: www.santorini-experience.com

Official Sponsors: Ford Motor Greece, Athina Luxury Suites, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, Alafouzos Sport Official Sports Supplier: Luanvi
Official Supporters: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Boatmen Union Santorini, Avance Rent A Car Assisted by: Lifeguard Patrol, Voluntary Lifeguards of Santorini, Mediterranean Dive Club, Atlantis Dive Center, Santorini Nautical Club Hospitality Sponsors: Santorini Hoteliers Association, Meltemi Hotels & Resorts, Athina Luxury Suites, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Canaves Oia, Vedema a Luxury Collection Resort, Mystique a Luxury Collection Hotel, Santo Houses, West East Suites, Desiterra Luxury Suites & Villas, 270 Oia’s View, Fanouris Condo, Monolithia, Casa Iphigenia, Sienna Resort, Esperas Santorini, Loizos Stylish Residencies
Official Hashtag: #SantoriniExperience

With Thanksgiving around the corner, who would have known that this tradition also existed in Ancient Greece? Learn all about the ancient celebration in this week's newsletter!

We live in an era of great changes, an era where finding sustainable solutions means everything. Read this week's newsletter and see how Athens embraces sustainability for its people!

Remember to stay connected with us through our weekly newsletter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

August 15th, or Dekapentavgoustos in Greek, is one of the most important religious celebrations in the country and a quintessential part of the Greek summer. Except for honoring the final resting of the Virgin Mary, on this day, Greeks throughout the country celebrate with major festivities known as panigiria that include traditional music, dancing, good food, and plenty of drinks!

If you find yourself in Greece during August, make sure to experience the splendor surrounding the Dormition of Mary. Where else? On a Greek island, of course!

Tinos


@gpapapostolou.photo

The most popular destination for celebrating August 15th in Greece is Tinos, home to the Greek Orthodox Church’s holiest church, the Panagia Evangelistria. Thousands of visitors arrive in Tinos each year to enjoy various festivities in honor of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, including Tsiknias (the leavetaking of the Dormition, the mother of God, held nine days after) and Exοmbourgo (a religious feast in honor of Jesus).

Astypalaia


@astypalaia_island

Religion plays a vital part in the ethos of the residents of this scenic island in the Dodecanese archipelago. The most important celebration is the feast day of the Virgin Mary. The island’s biggest festival takes place in the monastery of Portaitissa, and the celebrations last for three days. On August 15th, everyone gathers in the church to shower the miraculous icon of the Virgin of Portaitissa with flowers and then moves to the ‘Rodia’ courtyard for the big fete with violins, lutes, and traditional dancing.

Ikaria


@dimitris_pazaitis

When it comes to “panigiria” Ikaria is the island to be! Especially on August 15th, big celebrations are held throughout the island, but the biggest ones can be found in the villages of Christos Rachon and Lagada. There you will find thousands of locals and tourists dancing the Ikariotikos and enjoying traditional food and delicious Ikarian wine; an experience not to be missed!

Lesvos


@evangelou_giannis

On the 15th of August, the most popular celebrations in Lesvos take place in the village of Agiassos, where the church of Panagia Agiasotissa is located. Along with a church service and plenty of food, including the traditional dish “Keskeki” ( a combination of stew and wheat ), visitors can attend several cultural events such as theatrical performances, exhibitions, and concerts, as well as the local track races known as “Christophidia”.

Nisyros


@nuno_eca

Nisyros celebrates the day of the Assumption with great reverence! The celebrations take place at the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani and run from the 6th until the 15th of August. During these days, the monastery hosts women from all over the island who are committed to making 300 prostrations daily, kneeling in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary, and fasting. On the day of the Assumption, the icon of the Virgin Mary is carried in a procession. The feast begins when the icon arrives at the village, with the traditional dance of “koupa”.

Kefalonia


@nico_cene

A rather peculiar legend surrounds the celebration of Dekapentavgoustos in Kefalonia, as well as the church hosting it, Panagia Fidousa, in the village of Markopoulo. Every year around August 15th, small snakes appear inside and outside the church. According to the legend, in the 1200s a convent of nuns was praying for safety from a pirate attack, and during their prayers, hundreds of snakes appeared between the nuns and the pirates, saving their lives. Since then, “Virgin Mary’s snakes”, as they are called, enter the church and head for the icon of the virgin.