How to accelerate a startup

A great chance to learn how start-up companies evolve in world full of opportunities was offered to the 100 attendees of the “Innovation & Entrepreneurship Tour” event held on June 14 at the Bissell Library at ACT –  American College of Thessaloniki. The event was organized with the partnership of the US Consulate in Thessaloniki, ACT, The Hellenic Initiative and VentureGarden.

The keynote speaker was Kurt F. Heiar from John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa, and a “serial entrepreneur” as he likes to be called. Mr. Heiar is a member of the board of many Pappajohn companies in the US and lecturer at Graduate Business School of the University of Iowa. Mr. Heiar explained the steps from an original business idea to a successful enterprise, as well as what investors seek when they meet a start-up.

Kurt F. Heiar, “serial entrepreneur” and a lecturer from Graduate Business School of the University of Iowa, explains the steps from an original business idea to a successful enterprise

Prof. Stamos Karamouzis, Provost of ACT presented the tertiary division of Anatolia College, its philosophy, and programs, followed by George Kokkas, Director of the Entrepreneurship Hub at ACT, who presented VentureGarden, the training and mentoring program tailored for ambitious people with ideas who wish to enter the business world.

Mr. Michael Printzos Program Director of The Hellenic Initiative explained the philanthropic activities of THI which, on one hand, provide relief to people who suffer from the economic crisis, and on the other support initiatives such as VentureGarden which promote the entrepreneurship mindset in Greece.

From left to right: George Kokkas, Director of the Entrepreneurship Hub, ACT, Kurt F. Heiar, keynote speaker, Michael Printzos, Program Director, The Hellenic Initiative, Prof. Stamos Karamouzis, Provost of ACT


Since being founded in 1886 in Merzifon of Asia Minor, Anatolia has been synonymous with quality education. Based in Thessaloniki since 1923, Anatolia College is a private, non-for-profit educational institution imbued with the highest ideals of Greek and American education. Today, Anatolia comprises three academic divisions, offering education of the highest standards to young people as well as adults from Greece, the US and the Balkans: Anatolia Elementary School (Kindergarten - 6th Grade), Anatolia High School (Gymnasion and Lykeion High School and IBDP), and ACT - American College of Thessaloniki, which offers graduate and post-graduate programs. At the same time, CTY Greece (Center for Talented Youth) operates at Anatolia College since 2014, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.


(c) 2015 Anatolia College