The second cycle of Piraeus’ Piraeus Startup Accelerator programme, which supports youth and start-up entrepreneurship, concluded with presentations by the 15 participating teams.
The teams presented their ideas and prototype products (MVPs) at a special pitch event organised by the bank on Friday, 23 October 2026, at the Benaki Museum’s auditorium on Piraeus Street.
The event was attended by Piraeus’ management and executives, investors (VCs and angel investors), mentors and members of the country’s start-up ecosystem.
The initiative is part of Piraeus’ EQUALL Corporate Responsibility programme and falls under its New Generation pillar.
It is designed to promote innovation and support youth and start-up entrepreneurship, with a focus on the regions.
Welcoming attendees, Piraeus chairman George Hatzinikolaou said, among other things: “When, around two years ago, we were designing this initiative as part of our EQUALL Corporate Responsibility activities, we set a clear and meaningful goal: no good idea should be left on the shelf because of a lack of guidance or funding. Our ambition was to encourage and practically support young people with ideas and a fresh perspective and, above all, to prove that talent and a pioneering spirit can be found in every corner of Greece”.
Piraeus chief executive Christos Megalou said: “An economy’s growth depends not only on the capital it mobilises. It also depends on its ability to bring its talents to the fore and turn good ideas into viable businesses. The challenge is to create an environment where this potential can be translated into business prospects. And a bank has a decisive role to play in this.
At Piraeus, we finance investment, support sound business and build partnerships that enhance the country’s competitiveness. At the same time, through our EQUALL Corporate Responsibility programme, we systematically invest in knowledge and opportunities for the younger generation. The Piraeus Startup Accelerator is precisely where these two commitments meet”.
Mr Megalou thanked the Point of Synergy Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub and the “Archimedes” Technology Transfer and Innovation Unit at NKUA, noting that their collaboration shows what can be achieved when the business world works with the academic community.
The programme’s second cycle took place in Patras, Ioannina, Thrace and Athens.
The programme aims to support young people aged 18-34, from the idea stage through to prototype development (MVPs), helping them become funding-ready and connecting them with potential partners and investors.
Fifteen teams took part in the second cycle (10 through POS4work and five through Archimedes-NKUA), each receiving €5,000 in support from the bank.
More than 1,200 students and young people have benefited from the first and second cycles.
More than 50 companies from the start-up ecosystem have supported the programme to date, while during the final phase of the acceleration programme, the teams were mentored by 70 mentors, including 35 Piraeus executives.
Following the successful delivery of the first two cycles, a third cycle of the Piraeus Startup Accelerator is planned for 2027. In addition to Patras, Ioannina, Xanthi and Athens, it will also expand to Crete.