Accelerate Greece 2026
Applications are open until April 30, 2026
- Companies admitted to Accelerate Greece will have their airfare and accommodations reimbursed by the program.
- There is no fee to apply.
- There is no fee to participate.
- Three (3) companies will be admitted to this year’s cohort.
Accelerate Greece is a week-long program, started in California in 2019. The purpose of the program, which is now hosted in Toronto, Canada, is to drive innovation in Greece by supporting entrepreneurs building the next wave of successful Greek tech companies through participating in an acceleration program. This program includes immersive workshops and training, breakout sessions, mentorship, networking and introductions to potential investors and our 20+ partners and mentors.
This year, Accelerate Greece will partner with Elevate Festival, to offer 3 scale ups exclusive access to Elevate Festival, as described below.
- The program seeks to support 3 scale ups from Greece by offering them access to the following:
- Training on pitch improvement, pricing, legal considerations and intellectual property, global scaling, financial management with a North-American lens
- Immersive workshops in the respective industry
- Seminars relating to skills development and capacity building
- Mentorship from industry experts
- Networking opportunities with partners, VC, Angels, and Private Equity Firms
In addition, selected company representatives will have an exclusive opportunity to participate in the Elevate Festival, offering the following to each company:
- Exclusive Event Access:
- Festival Passes (up to 2 per company) offering full access to 2.5 days of events and programming
- VIP invites to our Investor x Founder Happy Hour and exclusive parties offered by our ecosystem partners
- Investment Exposure & Coaching:
- 1:1 pitch coaching workshop with Elevate Innovation team, to take place pre-festival in preparation for Investor meetings
- Guaranteed 1:1 meeting with investors from across Canada & US, vetted and curated by Elevate Innovation Team as our in-house experts in the Canadian startup & funding ecosystem
- Community & Network Building:
- Unlimited access to Elevate Startup Lounge, offering networking among our community of like-minded tech founders and innovators across industries
- Brand Engagement & Amplification:
- Within the lounge, receive a half-day slot in our Startup Showcase with a pop-up table to engage the community, showcase innovative products/services, and make valuable connections
Event Highlights
- Training and Workshops:
Companies selected for the program will receive training on pitch improvement, pricing, legal considerations, intellectual property, global scaling, and financial management with a North American lens. - Mentorship:
Industry experts will provide guidance and mentorship to help participants refine their strategies and accelerate growth. - Networking:
Participants will have opportunities to connect with partners, venture capitalists, angel investors, and private equity firms. - Exclusive Access to Elevate Festival:
Selected scale-ups will receive passes to the Elevate Festival, VIP invitations to exclusive events, and guaranteed meetings with investors. - Community Building:
Members of the cohort will have unlimited access to the Elevate Startup Lounge for networking and community engagement. - Brand Engagement:
Participating companies will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services at the Elevate Festival.
The program will also offer networking opportunities through events that will take place in downtown Toronto.
Welcome Reception Event Details:
📍 Convivium Dining Community
📅 Tuesday, September 21, 2026
🕕 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
👔 Dress Code: Business casual
George Stroumboulis
Keynote Speaker
George Stroumboulis is a global entrepreneur and CEO and Co Founder of Ideoli Group, a multinational lighting solutions provider operating across 30 plus countries. Under his leadership, Ideoli has become a trusted partner to world renowned brands including Tesla, Microsoft, Aston Martin, Mandarin Oriental, Hilton, and several other internationally recognized brands, delivering custom design, manufacturing, and distribution at scale.
Born in Toronto to Greek immigrant parents, George’s entrepreneurial foundation was shaped in his family’s restaurant business, instilling a deep work ethic, resilience, and appreciation for community. His career spans real estate, media, and global supply chains, including launching Greece’s first real estate platform for foreign investors and co founding a high tech LED company that successfully exited and went public on the New York Stock Exchange.
A recognized voice in international business, George has been featured in leading media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal and Fox Business. He also hosts the successful podcast Invigorate Your Business, where he engages with global business leaders on entrepreneurship, growth, and innovation. Passionate about fostering cross cultural collaboration, George is committed to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs worldwide.
For questions about Accelerate Greece 2025 or the Welcome Reception, please contact
Irene Anargyrou at 416-572-7324 / irene@thehellenicinitiative.ca
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