Bridging philanthropy and purpose-driven entrepreneurship for a sustainable future.

Helidoni Group & Foundation participated in the Panathēnea Festival 2026, one of the most important international events for technology, entrepreneurship, and culture in Greece, which attracted more than 12,000 participants from around the world.

As part of the festival, the Helidoni Group organized a panel discussion titled “Building Businesses That Build Better Cities,” featuring Alexis Zitrides (Helidoni Group), Christos Poriou (OpenCouncil), and Adam Markakis (Astylab), focusing on the role of social enterprises, civic-tech initiatives, and urban innovation in creating more sustainable and resilient cities.

At the same time, the Helidoni Foundation hosted the event “The Future of Business: Building Companies to Last,” dedicated to how businesses can maintain their values, purpose, and independence over time, while ensuring their long-term sustainability and growth. The event was attended by representatives from the Purpose Foundation, Ten Million Hands, Voys, Wise Greece, and OpenCouncil.

In addition, executives from companies in the Helidoni Group’s portfolio actively participated in panel discussions and side events at the festival, contributing to discussions on innovation, energy, and technology.

“The Panathēnea Festival serves as an important platform for exchanging ideas and fostering partnerships around issues that shape the future of business and society. We are particularly pleased to be participating, both through our own initiatives and through the companies in our portfolio,” said Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director of Helidoni Group & Foundation.

The participation of the Helidoni Group and the Helidoni Foundation in the Panathēnea Festival reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to promoting innovation, responsible entrepreneurship, and creating a positive social impact.

We’re proud to support Paths of Greece and the continued development of the “Greek Islands Trail” - an ambitious long-distance hiking route connecting the Cyclades through sustainable tourism, cultural heritage and outdoor exploration.

For more than a decade, Paths of Greece has worked to preserve and restore Greece’s historic footpaths, collaborating with local communities and municipalities to transform traditional trails into sustainable tourism assets that strengthen local economies while protecting the environment.

With support from the Helidoni Foundation, the organization is now implementing a visibility and accessibility initiative across seven Cycladic islands through the installation of high-quality informational signage designed to improve orientation and visitor experience along the trail network.

The initiative also includes community hiking events that will bring together residents and visitors to experience the trails firsthand while promoting environmental awareness, local engagement and the cultural value of the Cycladic landscape.

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We're proud to announce a Grant to Althyna, a new venture working to prevent falls among older adults in Greece.

In Greece, 1 in 3 people over 60 fall every year, with more than half of these incidents happening at home. The human and financial cost is significant, with over €1 billion spent annually on fractures alone.

Althyna's founder, Giannis Iakovakis, is tackling this with a simple starting point: make homes safer. Assessments, practical modifications, and a clear plan to prove the model across 100 households.

Althyna is also one of the first ventures in Greece to adopt a steward-ownership structure, meaning the mission is protected by design, not just by intention.

The venture came out of Astylab Founders, a programme we co-funded with Stewards and run by Astylab and Idea Machines. Eight founders, eight weeks, four ventures ready to launch. The programme returns in 2026.

“Prevention starts at home. With Althyna, we support practical solutions that make living environments safer for those most at risk.” – Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director, Helidoni Foundation

www.althyna.com

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We’re proud to support Storymentor, a storytelling organization that strengthens communication capacity and amplifies voices for social good. Since 2019, Storymentor has worked with more than 120 organizations, helping changemakers articulate their mission and impact with clarity and authenticity.

Through our support, Storymentor is launching Good Stories Labs, a capacity-building program bringing storytelling and presentation skills to regional Greece. The program will deliver five full-day workshops across cities including Herakleion, Ioannina, Larissa, Kalamata and Alexandroupoli, reaching 75 - 100 participants from civil society, education and the creative sector.

By equipping changemakers with the tools to communicate their work effectively, the initiative addresses a critical visibility gap - enabling organizations to build partnerships, attract support and expand their impact.

“Through this support, we aim to empower changemakers across Greece to share their stories with clarity and confidence, strengthening their ability to create lasting impact.” - Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director, Helidoni Foundation

#HelidoniFoundation #GoodStoriesLabs #Storytelling #SocialImpact #Changemakers #Greece

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