The Innovation Park JOIST Larissa successfully hosted the open Forum «European Defence Innovation & the Dual-Use Imperative: From Regional Capabilities to Strategic European Opportunities», an important initiative that highlighted the new strategic opportunities emerging for Greece and Europe in the field of defence innovation and dual-use technologies.
The event, co-organised by the RIS3 Thessaly, the JOIST Defence Innovation Hub, the Hellenic Development Bank (HDB), the National Centre for Scientific Research «Demokritos», the Innovation Accelerator@Demokritos – member of NATO DIANA Network - and the Hellenic Emerging Technologies Industry Association (HETiA), brought together representatives from public administration, industry, the research community, and investment bodies 0and of the wider innovation ecosystem.
The aim of the Forum was to open up a substantive dialogue around European developments in the field of defence and technology, highlighting the opportunities being created for Greek businesses, research institutions and regional innovation ecosystems through cooperation, the transfer of know-how and the utilisation of European funding tools.
A dialogue on the future of European innovation
The Forum began with a recorded greeting from A.E. Laurence Auer, Ambassador of France to Greece, who underlined the importance of European cooperation for strengthening Europe's technological superiority, innovation and strategic autonomy.
Subsequently, through three thematic discussions, representatives from industry, research, entrepreneurship, investment bodies, and public administration exchanged views on the developments shaping the European defence innovation ecosystem. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of dual-use technologies, the potential for utilising European funding programmes, and the importance of public-private cooperation for the development of innovative solutions with applications in both the civil and defence sectors.
Distinguished speakers from Greece and Europe
The Forum hosted distinguished representatives of the Greek and European innovation and industry community,
of the academic community and the institutions.
Specifically, those who participated were:
- H.E. Laurence Auer, Ambassador of France to Greece (video message)
- Dr Ioannis Tolias, Managing Director, Innovatia
- Nikolaos Kioroglou, Commercial Director, ALTUS LSA S.A.
- Professor Georgios Stamoulis, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Thessaly and representative of HETiA
- Athanasios Gekas, Defence Capabilities and Strategy Expert
- Aristides Iakovou, General Manager, Analysis SA
- Dimitris Mallas, Journalist, CNN Greece
- Niki Antoniou, Partner & Co-Founder, Apeiron Venture Capital
- Dr Ilja Nothnagel, Director General, German-Greek Chamber of Industry and Commerce
- Dimitra Maria Giordamli, Corporate Affairs Specialist, Prisma Electronics
- Panagiotis Papageorgiou, Managing Director, Hellenic Centre for Defence Innovation (ELKAK)
- Nikos Zachariadis, General Manager and Partner, Lancom Ltd
- Bambis Papaspyros, Retired Air Force Brigadier General, former Vice-Chairman of the Hellenic Aerospace Industry and former General Secretary of HASDIG
- Ioannis-Marios Tsatlas, Public Affairs Lead, EFA GROUP
- Konstantinos Angelopoulos Chief Financial Products Officer, Hellenic Development Bank (HDB)
- Varvara Vasilaki, Head of Tech Transfer Office, NCSR «Demokritos» and NATO DIANA Accelerator Site Lead
- Georgios Tzamtzis, Defence Innovation & European Programmes Principal, M Technologies
- Georgios Kouvidis, Managing Director, JOIST Defence Innovation Hub
Through their statements, the prospects of dual-use technologies, the new opportunities for cooperation between businesses and research organisations, as well as the prospects of utilising European funding mechanisms for the development of innovative technological solutions, were highlighted.
The importance of regional innovation ecosystems
One of the key conclusions of the Forum was the decisive role that regional innovation ecosystems can play in the new European strategy for defence and advanced technologies.
Η RIS3 Thessaly, as the Regional Smart Specialisation Strategy of Thessaly, actively contributes to shaping a collaborative ecosystem that connects businesses, research institutions, universities, public bodies and civil society. Through this interconnection, conditions are created for the Region of Thessaly to exploit its existing technological capabilities, strengthen its outward orientation and participate dynamically in European innovation initiatives.
The discussion highlighted that defence innovation is not exclusively about the defence sector, but serves as a powerful growth driver for technologies that can create added value across many areas of the economy, while simultaneously enhancing Europe's competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
We continue to build bridges of cooperation
The success of the event confirmed that innovation develops through collaboration, networking and the exchange of knowledge.
Η RIS3Thessaly it will continue to support actions that unite research, industry, businesses and institutions,
creating the conditions for the development and utilisation of innovative technologies with an international outlook.
With initiatives such as this Forum, Thessaly is strengthening its position as a dynamic regional innovation ecosystem, capable of contributing substantially to European developments in the fields of defence innovation and dual-use technologies, whilst promoting collaborations that create value for both the economy and society.
Co-organised by: JOIST Defence Innovation Hub, RIS3 Thessaly, Hellenic Development Bank (HDB), NCSR Demokritos, Innovation Accelerator@Demokritos (member of the NATO DIANA Network) and Hellenic Emerging Technologies Industry Association (HETiA).