Apply now for Innovation and Technology Competition

Deadline: 14-Oct-2026

The Innovation and Technology Competition provides financial awards, mentoring, networking, and exposure for innovative business ideas and startups in Greece and the European Union. Organized annually by the National Bank of Greece in collaboration with leading Greek and Cypriot universities, the competition supports innovative entrepreneurship across a wide range of sectors. With €60,000 in total financial awards, the competition offers selected innovators an opportunity to develop their ideas, gain expert guidance, and connect with universities, business leaders, and potential networks.

About the Innovation and Technology Competition

The Innovation and Technology Competition is described as the longest-running competition of its kind in Greece. It aims to identify, highlight, and support innovative business ideas and entrepreneurial initiatives across different sectors. Over the years, the competition has become a catalyst for developing new business concepts and startups in Greece. The annual competition combines financial support with mentoring, business development activities, information sessions, and networking opportunities. Who Organizes the Competition? The competition is organized annually by the National Bank of Greece in partnership with leading universities in Greece and Cyprus. This collaboration brings together financial-sector expertise, academic knowledge, and entrepreneurial development support. Key Focus Areas The Innovation and Technology Competition accepts innovative ideas across a broad range of sectors.

Key themes include:

- Fintech. - Digital entrepreneurship. - Advanced technologies and artificial intelligence. - Environment and climate change. - Society and governance, including ESG. - Health. - Tourism. - Culture. - Energy. - Agri-food. - PropTech. - Financial literacy. This broad thematic scope allows applicants from different technology and business backgrounds to participate. Financial Awards The competition provides a total of €60,000 in financial awards to successful participants.

The awards include:

- First Prize: €20,000.

- Second Prize: €12,000.

- Third Prize: €8,000.

- PropTech Special Award: €4,000.

- Health Tech Special Award: €6,000.

- Financial Empowerment Special Awards: Up to €10,000 distributed among up to five awards.

These awards are designed to recognize innovative proposals and provide financial support for further business development. Mentoring and Business Development Support Financial awards are not the only benefit of the competition. Participants can receive mentoring and guidance through thematic bootcamps and information sessions. These activities provide opportunities to develop business ideas, strengthen entrepreneurial skills, and receive guidance from experienced professionals. The programme also creates opportunities for participants to connect with other innovators and members of the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem. Networking Opportunities Networking is an important component of the Innovation and Technology Competition. Thematic bootcamps and information sessions are held in major Greek cities and online, allowing participants to engage with experts and other entrepreneurs through both in-person and digital activities. These opportunities can help innovators build relationships, exchange ideas, and gain greater exposure for their projects. Who Can Apply? The competition is open to a broad group of applicants connected to Greece, Cyprus, and the European Union.

Eligible applicants include:

- Adult residents of Greece. - Residents of Cyprus. - Greeks living abroad. - Citizens of other European Union countries. Applicants should submit innovative proposals that fit within the competition’s broad focus on technology, entrepreneurship, business innovation, and related thematic areas. Application Period Applicants submit their proposals electronically from early July to early October. The electronic submission stage is the starting point of the competition and allows organizers to assess the proposals before selecting candidates for the next phase. Because the application period runs across several months, applicants should prepare their proposals in advance and ensure that all required information is submitted electronically. How the Competition Works The Innovation and Technology Competition follows a three-phase process.

Phase 1: Electronic Proposal Submission

Applicants initially submit their innovative business proposals electronically. This stage allows the organizers to review the submitted ideas and identify proposals with strong potential.

Phase 2: Selection of 20 Proposals

Following the initial evaluation, 20 proposals are selected to continue to the next stage. These selected participants take part in business development workshops, where they can further develop their ideas with guidance and support. The workshops are an important opportunity to strengthen the commercial and entrepreneurial aspects of the proposals before the final evaluation.

Phase 3: Final Evaluation

In the final stage, 10 proposals are evaluated. The evaluation is conducted by university professors and bank executives, combining academic and financial-sector perspectives. The final stage determines the winners of the competition’s main financial prizes. What Makes a Strong Proposal? Applicants should present their ideas clearly and demonstrate why the proposed innovation has potential. A strong proposal should clearly communicate: - The problem being addressed. - The proposed innovative solution. - The technology or business concept behind the idea. - The relevant market or sector. - The potential value of the innovation. - How the idea can develop into a viable business or startup. Applicants should also make sure their proposal fits clearly within one or more of the competition’s thematic areas. Innovation and Technology Focus The competition places particular emphasis on innovative ideas that can contribute to entrepreneurs