Mentors
Our mentors are here to challenge, guide and support teams as they turn their ideas into solutions that can actually make an impact.
Alkistis Zina
Business Solutions Manager
LAMDA
Alkisti Zina is a Business Solutions Manager at LAMDA Development,
working at the intersection of AI, Data, and business transformation to support enterprise-level initiatives. A former PropTech co-founder with experience across Fintech, e-commerce, and IoT/robotics, she brings a strong focus on digital ecosystems. She works with teams to translate AI and data into operational efficiency, scalable growth, and market-relevant outcomes. As a mentor, she supports founders in shaping sustainable business models and turning technology-driven innovation into measurable business impact.
Andreas Manousakis
Machine Learning Engineer
Grant Thornton
Andreas Manousakis is a Machine Learning Engineer at Grant Thornton
Greece, member of the AI Center of Excellence, and a prospective Doctor (PhD) in machine learning, with more than a decade of combined research and industrial experience. He works on the design and delivery of end-to-end AI systems, from research and prototyping to production-ready deployment, collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams and emphasizing clear, actionable communication to deliver robust and scalable solutions, with a focus on Generative AI. His past work spans across banking, Anti-Money Laundering (AML), supply chain analytics, and bioinformatics, with an emphasis on data-driven decision-making systems. He is driven by a strong commitment to technical rigor, integrity, and reliable delivery, aiming to build scalable and trustworthy AI solutions under real-world constraints.
Athanasios Tsaperlis
Growth & Performance Optimization Specialist
Eurobank
Generalist with a background in mechanical/industrial engineering, management and data,
with a focus on performance optimization and business insights. Experienced in decision-support reporting, dashboards, and automation (Python, KNIME, BI tools) across banking and enterprise environments of different sizes and industries. Currently supporting automation and GenAI initiatives in Corporate & Investment Banking, focused on use-case development and adoption.
Bert Hovens
Founder/Managing Director"
Mirra Greece I.K.E.
I’ve always been fascinated by the space where numbers, creativity,
and people meet. With a background in quantitative economics, communication, and music and multimedia production, I bring together analytical precision and creative strategy, building bridges between design and technology, business goals and user needs, and above all between people. In Amsterdam I launched my first online agency in 2000, spent six years as a scale-up’s commercial director, then went freelance in strategy and digital transformation. I’m as at home with clients like Air France-KLM, Heineken and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as with first-time entrepreneurs and their online ideas. Lately I’ve helped fashion brands mature online alongside teaching new product development at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (Digital Media & Creative Industries) and online strategy and e-commerce at TMO Fashion Business School. In 2023 I relocated to Greece and founded Mirra Greece I.K.E., a small but scalable hospitality concept in the Peloponnese, which has given me first-hand experience of the Greek market as an entrepreneur, the same ground the teams here are building on.
Christos Sigas
Software Engineer
TailormadeTravelX
Christos is the Founder of TailormadeTravelX, a B2B AI-driven platform
that automates the creation of personalized travel itineraries by leveraging advanced AI agents. He has extensive experience in AI startups as a Senior Software Engineer, specializing in designing and deploying advanced Agentic AI solutions and scalable automation workflows. Previously, he served as a Solution Architect and Consultant at IBM for the banking sector, leading technical implementations and legacy modernization for core banking processes. His professional journey includes a Software Engineering internship at CERN in Geneva, where he developed full-stack applications for accelerator component manufacturing. He holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science & Telecommunications from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Notably, Christos was a member of the winning team of the first AI Hackathon Greece 2025.
Christos Vasilopoulos
Partner
Deloitte, Principal, Technology & Transformation, Engineering AI & Data
Christos is a strategic technology advisor helping organizations accelerate their
shift toward AI-driven, automated, and modern digital operations. With more than 10 years of experience across consulting, financial services, and enterprise technology, he guides executives in designing and delivering solutions that create tangible business value. He specializes in automation, GenAI strategy, agentic platforms, cloud-native architectures, and workflow modernization – together deep technical expertise with a pragmatic, business focused mindset. Christos enables organizations to move confidently from pilots to production-ready AI ecosystems with the right governance, scalability, and impact. With his visionary yet practical approach, he helps companies build future-ready operating models where people, data, and AI work seamlessly together to drive efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage.Dimitra Electra Louizidi
Senior Associate
Papamanoli & Partners
Dimitra is a technology and corporate lawyer who combines legal
expertise with a business- and product-oriented mindset. She advises startups, established companies, investors and tech innovators on commercial contracts, SaaS and Platform licensing agreements, intellectual property, venture and private equity transactions and investments, M&A and restructurings. Her international background includes several years as in-house counsel at one of Europe’s largest online gaming operators. That role gave her first-hand insight into how tech businesses operate and grow. She has also worked at the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and at large corporate law firms in London. As a mentor, Dimitra gives founders practical guidance on getting the legal foundations right: structuring the company, protecting IP, negotiating key commercial agreements and preparing for investment. She also draws on her experience as outsourced in-house counsel to help startups handle day-to-day legal matters efficiently, so they can focus on building their business with confidence.
Efthymis Serpetzoglou
R&D Project Manager
AppArt
Efthymis Serpetzoglou, is a Project Manager with extensive experience in
planning, executing, and delivering complex projects. He excels in resource optimization, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring timely delivery and exceptional results. His analytical mindset and leadership foster effective collaboration, driving project success in diverse and fast-paced environments.
Eirini Kolimatsi
Data Scientist
Satalia
Eirini is a Data Scientist at Satalia, where she develops
AI and data-driven solutions that empower businesses to grow strategically. With a BSc in Management Science and Technology from the Athens University of Economics and Business and currently pursuing an MSc in Computer Science at the University of Athens, she brings a robust academic foundation to her professional practice. Eirini’s work spans advanced data analytics, machine learning, and software development, creating impactful, practical applications across diverse industries. She thrives in collaborative environments, helping teams bridge ideas with actionable insights. Passionate about AI’s transformative potential, Eirini is dedicated to building real-world AI innovations with measurable outcomes.
Emmanouil Tavlakis
Principal AI/ML Engineer and Data Intelligence & AI technology expert
Netcompany
Experienced tech-agnostic Data Scientist with 14 years in the field,
certified as an AI Engineer, recognized for both academic and athletic achievements. Skilled in implementing end-to-end AI-ML Data Analytics solutions across diverse industries (11), departments (7), and projects (30) in 7 countries. With a strong background in R&D, as well as experience as a Big Data Analytics lecturer, technical presenter, and project manager, he excels in resource management, communication, and business strategy.
George Zachariadis
Senior AI Engineer
PwC
Giorgos is an Associate AI Engineer at the Analytics and
AI Hub with over 3 years of experience building data-driven solutions across domains including Agronomy, Energy Management, Biomedicine, and the Public Sector. He has a strong academic background in deep learning and computer vision, with a focus on medical image captioning. His work earned 1st and 2nd place in a global image analysis challenge, along with a related conference publication. Giorgos brings strong engineering expertise, working extensively with Python, Java, and SQL, developing RESTful APIs, and deploying solutions in cloud environments such as Microsoft Azure. He has built production-ready Agentic AI systems leveraging GenAI and RAG, and is experienced in model tracking and ML workflow management. He is particularly focused on reproducibility, efficient collaboration, and streamlined deployment, consistently applying best practices to deliver maintainable, production-ready AI solutions.
Georgios Alexandridis
Assistant Professor of Machine Learning
Digital Industry Technologies (NKUA)
Prof. Georgios Alexandridis graduated from the School of Electrical and
Computer Engineering of the University of Patras in 2005. In 2015 he received his PhD at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), in the research area of recommender systems and social networks. During 2018-2023, he worked as Laboratory and Teaching Staff at ECE NTUA, where he taught in undergraduate and postgraduate courses related to machine learning, artificial intelligence and deep learning. He has also co-supervised more than 20 diploma theses related to machine learning applications. In 2023, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Machine Learning at the Digital Industry Technologies Department of the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). Prof. Alexandridis’ research interests are in data science, artificial intelligence and machine learning. He has published several articles in peer-reviewed international journals and international peer-reviewed conference proceedings in the areas of recommender systems, social network analysis and natural language processing. His particular research interests include analyzing and extracting sentiment from text and applying deep learning techniques in image and video data.
Giorgos Sigas
Machine Learning & NLP Engineer
Politis Group
Giorgos Sigas is an AI and Machine Learning Engineer with
an MSc in Informatics from the Technical University of Munich and a BSc in Computer Science from the Athens University of Economics and Business. Since May 2025, he has been working as an AI Engineer at Politis Group, developing applied AI solutions for business use cases. He has professional experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and software engineering through roles at BMW, ZEISS and IBM, where he contributed to AI-focused and software development projects in international environments. His background combines academic research with hands-on industry work across multiple organizations and collaborative teams. Additionally he participated and won the first prize of last year’s AI Hackathon (2025).
Greg Agriopoulos
Founder & CEO
MAGOS
Greg is a deep-tech entrepreneur, Founder & CEO of Haptikos.
He holds an MBA with a focus on technology innovation and an MSc in Electrical Engineering, bringing over 15 years of experience in haptics, Human-Machine Interaction, physical AI, robotics, and XR. His expertise spans business development, customer relations, and strategic planning, as well as contract management in the ICT-defense sector. He has collaborated with major industry players such as Dassault, Indra, Safran, MBDA, Airbus, and BAE, and has successfully secured €2.7 million in funding for Q&Q. Greg has also participated in world-class XR and robotics exhibitions, building strategic partnerships and customer relationships with leading corporations, innovative SMEs, and academic institutions.
Harris Kontogiannis
Sr. VP, Platform Engineering
JPMorgan Chase
Harris Kontogiannis is an AI enthusiast with a strong entrepreneurial
background, having built and scaled innovative AI ventures. Currently serving as Sr. VP of Platform Engineering at JPMorgan Chase, he focuses on developing next-generation data solutions with an emphasis on scalability and reliability. Over the years, Harris has led projects spanning natural language processing and predictive analytics, always driven by a passion for creating real-world impact.
Harris Lalatsis
Founder
Ierax Analytix
Experienced in market research and data storytelling for 15 years.
Helping brands decode and understand consumer behavior through various market research methods. A natural, collaborative team player that can lead, inspire and influence. TedX speaker, teacher of business decision making and a mentor for various startup incubators around Greece.
Katerina Kanteraki
Senior Startup & VC Ecosystem Leader
Microsoft
Katerina Kanteraki leads Microsoft’s strategic partnerships with venture capital firms
and high-growth startups across Southern Europe. She drives Azure AI adoption, co-sell programs, and global go-to-market strategies. Previously, she supported €45M seed investments at Metavallon VC and Genesis Ventures, combining business expertise with technology-driven innovation from key previous roles at Imperial College and Medtronic.
Kostas Tsagkaris
Entrepreneur
WINGS ICT Solutions
Dr. Kostas Tsagkaris is an entrepreneur and academic with over
20 years’ experience in the ICT sector. He is the CEO and co-founder of WINGS ICT Solutions, an SME conducting R&D and offering solutions in the areas of 5G, IoT & AI/Big Data. He is also co-founder and managing director of Incelligent SME specializing in the development of Big Data/AI software solutions for supporting telecom network/service providers, financial institutions, and public organizations. He holds a BSc/MSc in Electrical & Computer Engineering with a major in Telecommunications and Networking, and a PhD (Ericsson awarded) from the School of Electrical & Computer Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. He has been involved in and led numerous R&D and Innovation projects and led the development of several (big) data analytics and AI-driven products and solutions for both public and private sectors. He has also published more than 170 articles in international journals, magazines and refereed conferences and holds several patents in the areas above and particularly in the application of AI and big-data analytics in optimizing telecom operations and 5G/IoT solutions.
Leonidas Pavlopoulos
Division Director - AI, Business Intelligence & Advanced Data Analytics
PPC S.A.
Leonidas Pavlopoulos is a Data, Analytics & AI professional with
extensive experience in designing and delivering enterprise-scale analytics and AI initiatives across complex organizations. He has held leadership roles requiring strong strategic direction, deep analytical expertise, and the ability to drive measurable business impact through high-performing teams. With solid business insight and a strong background in data analytics and statistics, Leonidas has led the implementation of Business Intelligence and Advanced Analytics solutions that enhance operational performance and support data-driven decision-making. His work focuses on transforming data into strategic assets through scalable analytics capabilities and structured data management practices. In his current role at PPC Greece, he leads the AI, Business Intelligence & Advanced Data Analytics Division, driving the organization’s analytics roadmap, enabling AI-powered solutions, and strengthening enterprise data capabilities to support sustainable business growth.
Marinos Agapiou
Software Engineer
Business Automatica GmbH
Marinos is a Software Engineer working on a generative AI
voice-ordering system for a major fast-food chain, specializing in scalable microservices, reactive programming, and resilient system design with Java Spring Boot. He has led architectural improvements in IAM, performance optimization, observability, and stateful service orchestration, combining strong technical expertise with business insight through his MBA and Computer Science background.
Nikolaos Papakonstantinou
Data Science Manager
AΒ Vassilopoulos
Experienced Data Scientist with a demonstrated history of working in
different industries (market research, entertainment, consulting). Strong information technology professional with a Master’s degree focused in Business Analytics from Athens University of Economics and Business. Leverage statistical, computational and data analysis skills to extract insights and knowledge from structured and unstructured data. Design and implement data collection and analysis processes, build predictive models and visualize complex data to support decision-making. Improve business outcomes through the application of data-driven techniques.
Nikos Papakonstantinou
Customer Growth & Monetization Insights Manager
AB Vassilopoulos
Nikos Papakonstantinou is a seasoned Data Scientist with extensive experience
across market research, entertainment, consulting, and retail industries. His expertise spans machine learning, statistical modeling, and data-driven decision-making. Currently, as Customer Growth & Monetization Insights Manager at AB Vassilopoulos, he leads a team leveraging predictive analytics and data monetization strategies to drive customer engagement and revenue growth. Previously, at Accenture, he designed and implemented machine learning solutions on cloud platforms, applying deep statistical analysis and optimization techniques to enhance business processes. At Ticketmaster and GfK, he built predictive models, anomaly detection systems, and customer segmentation strategies to generate actionable insights. His technical skills include Python, R, SQL, and expertise in cloud services, particularly Microsoft Azure, with hands-on experience in Databricks, Azure Machine Learning, and cloud-based data engineering. He is proficient in big data processing, model deployment, and automation to enhance data accessibility and scalability. With a Master’s in Business Analytics from the Athens University of Economics and Business & Bachelor in Statistics from AUEB, Nikos combines technical expertise with business acumen, effectively translating complex data insights into strategic business value.
Panagiotis Katsnesis
Founder / CEO
Waldiez
Panagiotis Kasnesis holds a Ph.D degree in computer science from
the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NTUA. He received his diploma degree in chemical engineering and his M.Sc. in techno-economic systems from NTUA, in 2008 and 2013 respectively. His research interests include machine/deep learning, Semantic Web technologies and IoT, while he has published more than 40 scientific articles in international journals/conferences in these fields. He is founder and CEO of Waldiez, co-founder and CTO of ThinGenious and serves as a senior researcher at University of West Attica, participating in several EU RnD projects. Moreover, he is a lecturer at the MSc program “Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning” (https://aidl.uniwa.gr/) and he is certified as Instructor and University Ambassador, by NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute (DLI), in the tasks of Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision and building LLM-based applications.
Panagiotis Sotiriou
CTO
ADACOM
Responsible for leading the development, management & operation of the
Cyber Security Technology department of ADACOM. Panagiotis Sotiriou holds a BSc degree in Information Security and during his seventeen (17) years of Information Security experience, he has worked with many different technologies and has delivered with excellence to complex environments and demanding projects either as principal security engineer or as a leading consultant. During all those years, Panagiotis has received numerous certifications from technology-related institutes. Before re-joining ADACOM, he had a regional presales role for Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria & Malta within Symantec, covering the entire portfolio. As such, he has a broader perception on security topics related but not limited to Endpoint security, Network security, Information Protection, Cloud Security and Identity & Access Management.
Pavlos Nomikos
Head of Digital Tribe at Technology
Grant Thornton
Pavlos Nomikos, leads the Digital Strategy and CX pillar in
the Technology department at Grant Thornton Greece, and brings over 25 years of expertise in Customer Experience (CX), Digital Strategy, and Program Management. His career spans Banking, Telecommunications, and the Public Sector, where he has developed digital strategies and designed innovative customer experiences for the digital age. In his current role, Pavlos has led transformative projects for organizations like the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, Eurobank, Interamerican Insurance, Information Society, and others. With a global perspective gained from working with international clients such as GE, AVIS Budget Group and Mattel in the UK and US and through his participation in EU research projects in collaboration with Greek and European academic institutions, Pavlos brings a wealth of cross-industry knowledge to his projects. His educational background includes an MBA from SDA Bocconi and a BSc in Marketing Management from The American College of Greece, complemented by PMP and CXAC certifications. This combination of extensive experience, diverse industry exposure, and a strong educational foundation positions Pavlos to bring a wealth of real-world knowledge to AI Hackathon 2025.
Penny Kontogeorgou
Partner
Zoulovits-Kontogeorgou
In addition to her role as Managing Partner @ZK Law
Firm, a Legal 500 TMT ranked Law Firm, Penny is a Technology, Innovations and Sciense Law Expert. She is practicing private law for over 25 years; her legal expertise lies with IT & Cloud Computing (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, BaaS, e-Signatures, e-Invoicing, Cybersecurity), Data (Privacy & Security, Data Analytics, Data Governance), e-Commerce, Digital Platforms, Marketplaces & Online Ecosystems, Digital Marketing, e-Payments (EMI/ PI Licensing, AML, Regulations), R&D Collaborations & Technology Transfer and 4.0 Technologies (5G, Blockchain & Smart Contracts, NFTs, Tokens, Cryptocurrencies, AI, IoT & M2M, VR, Metaverse). Her practice law includes Digital Transformation Projects, Payments Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, GDPR Compliance, Commercial & Business Agreements, IT contracts, IP Portfolios Protection, R&D Collaborations Agreements, M&As and Joint Ventures of Technology and Innovation Driven corporations, Legal Due Diligence, Investment Agreement. She is a founder of the Science to Business NPO and the advisor for the Innovation and Tech Transfer Offices of Scientific Research Centers and Universities. She also acts as a Board Advisor to several startups in Europe and UAE. Author of the Legal500 Intrantional Comparative Guide on Blockchain which includes topics of cryptocurrency, virtual assets smart contracts. Penny has mentored hundreds of startups through incubators, accelerators, & innovation-enabling organizations (ACEin, Orange Grove, Egg, Greek StartUp Universe, Startup Europe, Women on Top, ELTRUN, Hackthons etc). Clients’ industries & sectors: Travel & Tourism, Financial &Payments, BioTech, dynamic Startups, Wholesale, Retailers, Big Ad Tech Providers, Digital Media Agencies, IT Service Providers, Education, Fashion, Petrol & Oil etc. She is involved in Law-making committees for New Technologies, a frequent speaker at national & international conferences in the Tech sector, Lecturer in Lille University, guest lecturer in Universities (Athens University of Economics & Business, University of Aegean, International University), member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), Greek E-commerce Association (GRECA etc). Educated in the UK to LLM standards in IT Law, Penny is used to working by adhering to strict standards and methodology; to her, nevertheless, the best legal solutions are tailor-made and business oriented.
Stavros Lounis
Senior Researcher
ELTRUN E-Business Research Center
Dr. Stavros Lounis is a Senior Researcher at the ELTRUN
E-Business Research Center of Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB). He holds a PhD in Management Science and Technology from AUEB, a MSc in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Systems from the School of Science and Technology of the International Hellenic University and a B.Sc. in Applied Informatics in Management and Finance from the Faculty of Management and Economics of the Technological Institute of Messolonghi. He has worked in the ELTRUN E-Business R.C. since 2012 with active involvement in 10+ EU Funded projects with various roles as User Requirements Elicitation, System Analysis, Design and Development, System Evaluation and Dissemination and Communication. His research interests focus on Gamification of Electronic Services and Innovation and Entrepreneurship and his work has been presented in peer-reviewed academic journals and conferences.
Thanasis Papaioannou
AI and Business Automation Engineering Chapter Leader
Agile Actors
Thanasis is an AI Engineer at Agile Actors. He studied
Electrical and Computer Engineering and followed up with a PhD specializing in AI-assisted Digital Signal Processing in the audio domain. For the past 7 years, he has been working on bulding entreprise-level applications utilizing both conventional and more contemporary AI methodologies across various domains, while also taking part in various educational AI-related activities.
Theo Manoulidis
Director of Data Strategy, Architecture, Governance and AI division
PPC S.A.
Theo Manouilidis is a Data, Analytics & AI Strategist with
extensive experience in designing and executing Data & AI strategies across complex organizations. He has consistently excelled in roles requiring strong vision, strategic direction, deep technical expertise, and a proven ability to deliver results by leading high-performing teams and managing large-scale initiatives. With strong business acumen, analytical thinking, and problem-solving capabilities, Theo has successfully delivered Data, Analytics & AI solutions across Telecommunications, Banking, Manufacturing, Energy, the Public Sector, and European projects. His work focuses on translating data into measurable business value through robust architecture, scalable AI solutions, and effective governance frameworks. In his current role as Director of Data & AI Strategy, Architecture & Governance at PPC Group, he leads the organization’s Data & AI strategy, architects enterprise-grade AI solutions, and ensures that governance frameworks are in place to promote responsible, ethical, and regulatory-compliant AI adoption.
Vasilis Stavrou
Co-Founder & Chief Data Officer
Bespot