Chios, with its wealth of history and creativity, once again became a reference point for international dialogue by hosting the conference ‘Towards the Future: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Culture’ at the Mastic Research Center, as part of the 4th Chios Festival. This was not a typical meeting, but an event that brought together distinguished personalities from Greece and abroad — representatives of science, politics, entrepreneurship, civil society, and culture. Through their interventions, they shared knowledge, experience, and vision, creating synergies and forming a true ‘community’ where spirit, creativity, knowledge, and intellect play a leading role. The conference provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and proposals in a place whose legacy is to unite cultures, broaden horizons, and foster collaborations.
The event was opened by the Governor of the North Aegean Konstantinos Moutzouris (pictured above), who spoke warmly about the Mastic Research Center, underlining the Region’s support and funding for its creation and operation, and reaffirming his commitment to its future development. At the same time, he announced new plans for the North Aegean islands: actions for Livestock farming in Lesvos, the blue economy in Chios, and tourism in Samos.
Konstantinos Ganiaris, President of the Mastic Research Center, then presented the Center’s activities and initiatives, emphasizing its openness to partnerships with organizations and businesses so that mastic and its derivatives continue to serve as a driver of development and extroversion for the island.
The conference featured a rich program of presentations:
- Selim Yenel, Ambassador and President of the Global Relations Forum, offered a visionary perspective on the future of Greek-Turkish relations. Acknowledging the tensions of the past, he highlighted the vast potential for cooperation in energy, health, artificial intelligence, and agriculture, stressing that innovation and entrepreneurship cannot advance without culture, which serves as a bridge of understanding and friendship.
- Prof. Dr. Hakan Ürey, Vice President for Research and Innovation at Koç University, traced his path from research to entrepreneurship, demonstrating how academic knowledge can translate into technological breakthroughs of international impact. He spoke about biomedical, ophthalmology, and robotics innovations, startups born from his lab, and the broader innovation ecosystem that has developed in Turkey, with Koç University at its center.
- Apostolos Valtas, President of the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, emphasized the pharmacist’s mission not only as a guardian of health but also as a driver of innovation. He stressed that pharmacies are more than points of medicine distribution: they are places of social care, chronic patient support, and prevention. He highlighted the role of digitalization and envisioned the “pharmacy of 2040” — modern, accessible, and citizen-centered.
- Konstantinos Giannopoulos, President of The Smile of the Child, presented the organization’s 29 years of work supporting children and families. He spoke about its rapid crisis response, nationwide helplines and facilities, international collaborations, and a new digital application that strengthens communication with citizens. He emphasized that The Smile acts as a catalyst for cooperation between state and society, offering solutions rather than conclusions.
- Maria Loizidou, Emeritus Professor at NTUA, addressed sustainable resource management and the circular economy. She outlined the current situation in Chios and nationally, discussed European targets, and stressed the need to expand recycling and adopt innovations such as “green kiosks.” She also underlined sustainable rural development and solutions for water scarcity, including desalination and agrovoltaics.
- Antigone Lymberopoulou, CEO of the Hellenic Development Bank of Investments, presented the Bank’s role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Greece over the past 25 years. Using European investment examples, she illustrated how development opportunities are created and emphasized the symbolic importance of the Bank’s support for the Mastic Research Center.
- Andriani Manetta, Founder and CEO of Victorious Network and Marketing Director of Hanson Robotics, presented the latest developments in robotics, emphasizing both the vast potential and the responsibilities that artificial intelligence entails. She referred to new applications, innovation competitions that spotlight the next generation of programmers, and examples of how technology can be creatively linked to culture, such as digital parks.
- Dionysis Mandelis, Vice President of the Botsis Foundation, addressed the issue of disinformation as a major threat to democracy, the economy, and culture. He spoke about the power of information to shape perceptions, the role of artificial intelligence in spreading fake news, and the Foundation’s initiatives to combat such phenomena through targeted actions
- .Dimitris Bourantas, Professor of Business Administration at AUEB and Dean of New York College, presented a comprehensive model for sustainable success in entrepreneurship. He underlined the importance of strategy, continuous learning, cultivating the right organizational culture, and the unique role of leaders who inspire and guide, as opposed to managers who merely administer.
- Alexandros Sarakakis, entrepreneur and head of the Sarakakis Group, offered a historical overview of the Group’s journey from its founding to the present day. He demonstrated how innovation and adaptability enabled the company to withstand difficult times. Today, beyond the automotive sector, the Group invests in circular economy initiatives, proving that even traditional industries can transition toward more sustainable models.
- Stratos Simopoulos, Chairman of the Research and Technology Committee of the Hellenic Parliament, stressed the importance of technology and artificial intelligence as key drivers of development for the North Aegean islands. He noted that technology can bring the region’s history, landmarks, and culture to light, supporting the creation of an integrated development model.
- Angela Stathis, President of Digital Boost and Co-Founder of Brazil Tech Connect, presented innovative technologies such as blockchain and satellite applications for tackling marine pollution, in cooperation with agencies, fishermen, and NGOs. She also highlighted incentive models designed to encourage young people to remain on the islands and build their future there, giving practical examples related to housing and business support.
- The conference was skillfully coordinated by journalist Korina Georgiou, whose professionalism and reputation ensured the smooth flow of the program and the meaningful presentation of all interventions.
- The event at the Mastic Research Center confirmed that Chios and the North Aegean can stand at the forefront of global developments. It provided a platform for distinguished speakers and fostered an environment where innovation meets culture and entrepreneurship connects with society. The evening was not merely a series of presentations, but a declaration of cooperation, progress, and extroversion — proof that the North Aegean is a true laboratory of ideas with international appeal.
