Delegation of Bavarian venture capitalists and start-ups to Athens: Panathēnea 2026

The aim of the delegation is to connect Bavarian players with the Greek and European innovation ecosystem, tap into new cooperation and investment potential, and support market access in Southeast Europe. BayFOR will be on site to provide information about EU funding opportunities for start-ups.

Panathēnea Festival – international innovation platform in Athens

is one of the leading European festivals for technology, entrepreneurship, art, and innovation. More than 10,000 international participants from start-ups, venture capital, industry, and the creative sector will come together in Athens. The program includes keynotes, start-up pitches, exhibitions, networking formats, and a public street festival in the city center.

Main Stage Pitch & Start-up Competition

Bavarian start-ups participating in the delegation trip will have the opportunity to present themselves on the main stage at the festival's main event – either in the form of a pitch or a showcase.

The Panathēnea Startup Pitching Competition offers an international stage to present innovative business ideas to a global audience of venture capitalists, industry experts, and innovators, and to make valuable contacts.

“AHK Side Event” in Athens: Financing & Internationalization

In addition to the festival program, the German-Greek Chamber of Industry and Commerce is organizing an exclusive side event in a central location in Athens. The “Side Event” is specifically aimed at German venture capitalists and startups and includes:

• Panel discussion on best practices and success factors in international financing
• Fireside chat with German venture capitalists on investment strategies and pitch expectations
• Presentation of European financing instruments and alternative sources of capital
• Networking sessions and one-to-one matchings

The aim of the side event is to create sustainable connections between Bavarian and international players and to identify concrete ways of financing.

Who is the delegation trip intended for?

The delegation is aimed at venture capitalists and start-ups from Bavaria who are active in the following areas:

• HealthTech
• FinTech
• DeepTech
• GreenTech

These industries are considered key drivers of digital and sustainable transformation and offer high potential for cooperation between Bavaria and Greece.

Your advantages

Advantages for start-ups

• Participation in workshops and pitching formats at the festival
• Opportunity to participate in the internationally visible “Pitching Competition” (certain conditions apply)
• Participation in the “Side Event of the German-Greek Chamber of Industry and Commerce”
• Curated B2B meetings, organized by the AHK Greece
• Networking with Greek and international venture capitalists and other stakeholders

Benefits for venture capitalists

• Access to selected Greek and international start-ups with growth potential
• Contacts to investors, founders, and institutions from Europe
• Participation in the “AHK Side Event”
• Participation in curated networking formats
• Exploration of new investment opportunities in a dynamic market environment

Participation fees

• Start-ups: €2,000
• Venture capitalists: €2,500

The participation fee includes:

• Three nights' accommodation in Athens
• Full access to all Panathēnea 2026 events
• Organization and support of targeted B2B meetings by AHK Greece
• Participation in the “AHK Side Event”
• Networking dinner
• Visibility via the social media channels and newsletter of the AHK network

Event dates

Wednesday, May 27, 2026, to Friday, May 29, 2026

Event location

The Athens Conservatory
17–19 Rigillis & Vasilissis Georgiou B
Athens, Greece

Agenda

The agenda and further information can be found here!

Registration

Please register for the delegation trip to Athens here!

Further information

Further information on Panathēnea 2026 can be found on the official website: www.panathenea.org

Contact at BayFOR

Dr. Panteleimon Panagiotou
Head of Unit 
Information and Communication Technologies | Natural Sciences & Engineering
Email: panagiotou@no-spam-pleasebayfor.org