ATHENS – The dynamic and gifted young entrepreneurs who are building the New Greece are bonding with the brightest lights of the Greek Diaspora through The Hellenic Initiative’s (THI) new Virtual Entrepreneurial Mentorship Project “Connect the Dots.” The program is supported by the U.S. Embassy in Athens as part of its campaign “USA-Greece: Celebrating 200 Years of Friendship” commemorating Greece’s Bicentennial. It is also under the auspices of the Greece 2021 Committee.

“Connect the Dots” will bring together two worlds. It will connect talented and promising entrepreneurs from Greece with professionals in the U.S. who are part of groups like THI’s bright New Leaders community. The aim is to connect these communities in a meaningful and structured way, enabling them to learn from each other and provide valuable support and mentorship, helping Greek companies to grow and flourish.

The program marks one more great example of cooperation between the U.S. Embassy in Athens and The Hellenic Initiative to support Greece’s startup ecosystem and foster Greece’s economic development.

Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt said, “I am delighted that the virtual entrepreneurship program ‘Connect the Dots’ is part of the Embassy's campaign to commemorate the bicentennial of the Greek Revolution. Our countries have been intertwined from the beginning, linked by the democratic values that generations of our citizens have pledged to uphold and defend. The Greek diaspora and especially organizations like THI help to put our democratic principles into practice, forming a vital bridge between the peoples of our two countries. THI and the Embassy will work together to match successful Greek American business leaders with young Greek entrepreneurs, who will receive mentoring and networking support to grow their startups. Much like other programs we have partnered on with THI in the past, ‘Connect the Dots’ underscores our commitment to support Greece's entrepreneurial ecosystem and long-term economic development to benefit both our countries.  I am confident that this program will serve as another platform that will strengthen the entrepreneurial and scientific ties between our countries.” 

The Hellenic Initiative (THI), which was founded in 2012 by members of the global Greek Diaspora and philhellene communities to respond to the worsening economic crisis and to support and shape Greece’s long-term recovery, has shifted gears to help the people of Greece and its successful new startups weather the COVID-19 challenge.

Mentee Start-up Pobuca said that “the United States is the Entrepreneurial Capital of the world and young Greek-Americans are at the forefront of innovation and excellence. We look forward to working and learning together.”

Mentee Start-up Anassa Organics stated that “there is no limit to the good things that can come of this endeavor, and the support of the U.S. Embassy is heartening and inspiring.”

THI New Leader Mentor Kosti Vasliakakis said, “We will be connecting New Leaders and some of THI’s Board Members with start-up founders and other entrepreneurs from Greece or of Greek heritage to further nurture the ecosystem and create a close-knit community that supports each other.”

THI New Leader Mentor Christina Moniodis noted that “we are thrilled that Project Connect the Dots will see us bringing together Diaspora Greeks in the U.S. with their peers in Greece.”

THI New Leader Mentor Chris Goulakos said, “THI is already so proud of what Greece’s new entrepreneurs have accomplished and we are excited about helping them reach the next level.”

Dean Metropoulos, THI Board Member, stated: “THI is honored to be working for yet another year together with the U.S. Embassy in Athens, this time under the auspices of the Greece 2021 Committee. Our focus on job creation and economic development for Greece and its people is growing bigger, especially as we witness the ecosystem's successes.”

For more information about the program and how to participate, please contact: [email protected].

http://www.TheHellenicInitiative.org/

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