Author: george

With a large turnout and insightful discussions, TrophyΤροφή 2025 – The Event, the flagship gathering on innovation and sustainability in the agrifood sector, was successfully completed on Thursday, 4 December 2025, at the “Manolis Anagnostakis” Hall, Thessaloniki City Hall.

The event marked the culmination of this year’s TrophyΤροφή initiative, consistently implemented since 2019 by New Agriculture New Generation, through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

This year, the initiative included eight (8) highly successful TrophyΤροφή Meet-Ups, held across seven cities in Greece, with the participation of dozens of students, startuppers and representatives of the agrifood ecosystem. The Meet-Ups were organized in collaboration with universities, industry companies, local chambers, municipalities and regional authorities, significantly strengthening the connection between the new generation and innovation within the real economy of the agrifood sector.

The event focused on shaping a strategy to reinforce innovation and sustainability within Greece’s agrifood sector, highlighting the importance of entrepreneurship, green development and new technologies for the modern food chain.

The event opened with welcome remarks from:

• Dimitris Voloudakis, General Programs Director, New Agriculture New Generation

• Orestis Matanakis, Commercial Director, DS Smith Hellas

• Rineta Mitsi, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director, Goody’s–Everest Group

• Thomas Kotsopoulos, President, Department of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

• Petros Samaras, Dean, School of Geosciences, International Hellenic University

• Konstantinos Kissas, Business Development & Operations Director, Evolve Entrepreneurship

• Katerina Papathoma, Business Coach & Mentor, KEMEL / Business Advisor

Next, Stavros Papadopoulos, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Senior Manager at New Agriculture New Generation and Program Lead of TrophyΤροφή, presented a brief overview of TrophyΤροφή 2025.

He was followed by Machi Simeonidou, Managing Director of AgroApps, who delivered a highly engaging TrophyΤροφή Story, sharing her own path and experience in the agrotechnology sector.

The first panel discussion of the event, titled “Growing Innovation: Entrepreneurship & Innovation in the New Agricultural Reality”, featured:

• Rania Menkisoglou, President of KEAGRO & Emeritus Professor, Department of Agriculture, AUTh

• Stefanos Kamperis, CEO, Staramaki

• Vasilis Sotiouroudas, Co-founder & COO, Centaur Analytics

• Stella Psarropoulou, Officer, Project Planning & Monitoring Department, Thessaloniki Innovation Zone S.A.

The session was moderated by journalist Vivi Andritsou. Participants highlighted the new conditions shaping the agricultural landscape and the opportunities arising from digital transformation.

The event continued with an emotional TrophyΤροφή Story delivered by George Meleneklis, CEO of MENOIKIO, who shared his personal journey and the challenges he faced in developing a modern agrifood enterprise.

Following this was the second major panel of the evening: “Feeding the Future: Sustainable Models & Emerging Challenges in the Food Chain”, featuring:

• Dimitris Aidonis, President, Department of Supply Chain Management, International Hellenic University

• Athanasia Goula, Associate Professor, Food Science & Technology Division, School of Agriculture, AUTh

• Sophia Lalou, Chair of Environmental Science Program, Perrotis College

• Thanasis Bletsas, Sustainability Manager, MAKVEL – EURIMAC

The panel was moderated by Stavros Papadopoulos, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Senior Manager, New Agriculture New Generation. Speakers analyzed contemporary challenges in the food chain, the importance of sustainability and future perspectives.

The presentation of the winning teams from the TrophyΤροφή Meet-Ups 2025 followed. At the end of the event, the top business idea of the year was announced, marking the conclusion of a cycle of actions that strengthened innovation and startup entrepreneurship across the country.

The winner of TrophyΤροφή 2025 was BlueCrete, an interdisciplinary team from the Agricultural University of Athens. They presented an innovative and environmentally sustainable solution for the circular utilization of agrifood byproducts. The team consists of:

• Zoe Kapsavti, Agronomist (AUA), MSc, specializing in agroecology and urban systems

• Anna Louvari, Student, Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development (AUA)

• Dr. Chryssi A. Papadimitriou, Assistant Professor, Laboratory of Ecology & Environmental Protection, Department of Crop Science (AUA)

• Nikol Drosou, Student, Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition (AUA)

Their business idea focuses on using mussel shells as an alternative material to sand in concrete production, as well as a soil enhancer—proposing an innovative way to utilize a byproduct with significant benefits for the environment and sustainable development.

The overall coordination of the event was carried out by journalist Xrysa Foskoulou, who played a key role in maintaining flow and audience engagement.

The Event Sponsors were NISSOS Beer, Christodoulou Family Juices, Vital Nutrition Bars, and Dirfys Bottled Water.

TrophyΤροφή 2025 once again demonstrated its pivotal role in strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship in the agrifood sector, uniting the academic, research and business communities toward a shared goal: transitioning to a sustainable, innovative, and competitive future for Greek agrifood.

TrophyΤροφή 2025 – The Event, the most dynamic gathering for innovation and sustainability in the critical agrifood sector, will take place on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 18:00 to 21:00, at the “Manolis Anagnostakis” Hall in the Thessaloniki City Hall.

The event marks the culmination of the annual TrophyΤροφή initiative, implemented by New Agriculture New Generation consistently since 2019, through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

This year, the initiative included 8 highly successful TrophyΤροφή Meet-Ups, held across 7 cities in Greece, with the participation of dozens of students and startuppers. The Meet-Ups were carried out in collaboration with educational institutions, industry businesses, local chambers, municipalities and regional authorities, creating a strong link between the new generation, innovation and the real agrifood economy.

This year’s TrophyΤροφή concludes with the event “AgriFood: From Innovation to Sustainability.” The Final Event will focus on shaping a strategy for innovation and sustainability in Greece’s agri-food sector, highlighting the connection between innovation and entrepreneurship in the new agricultural reality, as well as the challenges and opportunities emerging in the modern food chain. Additionally, during the event, the winning teams of the TrophyΤροφή Meet-Ups 2025 will be presented, and the top entrepreneurial idea of the year will be announced.

Panels and talks will feature representatives from institutional bodies, academic institutions, industry companies, startups and research organizations, covering critical issues shaping the future of the agrifood sector.

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TrophyΤροφή 2025 – The Event Program

18:00–18:10 | Arrival

18:10–18:30 | Welcome Remarks

18:30–18:40 | TrophyΤροφή 2025 Review

18:40–18:50 | TrophyΤροφή Stories

• Machi Symeonidou, Managing Director, AgroApps

18:50–19:30 | Growing Innovation: Innovation & Entrepreneurship in the New Agricultural Reality

• Rania Menkisoglou, President of KΕAGRO & Professor Emerita, Department of Agriculture, A.U.Th.

• Stefanos Kamperis, CEO, Staramaki

• Vasilis Sotiroudas, Co-founder & COO, Centaur Analytics

• Stella Psarropoulou, Officer, Project Programming & Monitoring Department, Alexandria Innovation Zone S.A.

• Moderator: Vivi Andritsou, Journalist

19:30–19:50 | Break

19:50–20:00 | TrophyΤροφή Stories

• George Meleneklis, CEO, ΜΕΝΟΙΚΙΟ

20:00–20:40 | Feeding the Future: Sustainable Models & New Challenges in the Food Chain

• Dimitris Aidonis, Chair, Department of Supply Chain Management, IHU

• Athanasia Goula, Associate Professor, Food Science & Technology Division, School of Agriculture, A.U.Th.

• Sofia Lallou, Chair of Environmental Science Program, Perrotis College

• Thanasis Bletsas, Sustainability Manager, MAKVEL – EURIMAC

• Moderator: Stavros Papadopoulos, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Senior Manager, New Agriculture New Generation

20:40–20:50 | Presentation of Teams

20:50–21:00 | Announcement of Winners – Awards & Closing

The overall coordination of the event will be conducted by journalist Chrysa Fosskolou.

Sponsors of the Final Event are: NISSOS Beer, Christodoulou Family Vital Nutrition Cereal Bars and Dirfys.

Participation is free of charge, and certificates of attendance will be provided to all interested participants.

Read more here.

In a packed hall, where a rich and meaningful dialogue took place about the future of mastiha, the event titled “Cultivating the Future of Mastiha: Education, Research and Innovation” was successfully held on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the Homerion Cultural Center of the Municipality of Chios.

The event was part of the program “Mastic Trees: Ensuring the Future of a National Product – Knowledge and Innovation Transfer Network in Chios”, designed and implemented by New Agriculture New Generation, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Floriculture of the School of Agriculture of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association. The program is co-funded by New Agriculture New Generation through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), The Hellenic Initiative, and the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association.

The event began with opening remarks by:

• Mr. Georgios Toumbos, President of the Board of Directors of the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association,

• Mr. Ilias Smyrnioudis, General Director of the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association,

• Ms. Elina Klaridopoulou, Senior Program Officer at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF),

• Mr. Michael Printzos, Head of The Hellenic Initiative Greece,

• and a recorded message from Mr. Michael Psaros, Vice Chairman of the Board of The Hellenic Initiative,

• followed by Ms. Effie Lazaridou, CEO of New Agriculture New Generation.

The discussion was moderated by Ms. Kalliopi Karampoiki, Project Manager of the program from New Agriculture New Generation.

Next, Associate Professor Stefanos Chatzilazarou from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki presented the progress and results of the program “Mastic Trees: Ensuring the Future of a National Product – Knowledge and Innovation Transfer Network in Chios”. In his presentation, he highlighted how the network effectively facilitated the exchange of knowledge, expertise and information between mastiha growers and between growers and the scientific community.

A discussion then followed, featuring two mastiha growers, Ms. Despina Kyli and Mr. Alexis Tsounakos, who acted as “training hubs” for their peers. They shared their experiences, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among growers in creating a resilient and sustainable production community. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Sotiris Katselos, Communications Director of New Agriculture New Generation.

The next presentation, titled “Digital Agriculture: Applications, Challenges and Prospects,” was delivered by Professor Spyros Fountas (Agricultural University of Athens) and Electrical Engineer Michalis Asimoglou, who discussed the contribution of technology and innovative tools to modern cultivation practices and how these could be applied to mastiha farming.

Then, Dr. Stefanos Kostas, Laboratory Teaching Staff member of the Floriculture Laboratory of AUTH, presented potential applications of digital agriculture specifically for mastiha trees.

The event concluded with an open discussion (Q&A Session), where participants — mostly mastiha growers — exchanged views and questions regarding the future of mastiha cultivation, the adoption of innovation and sustainable growth prospects for the sector.

The successful organization of the event confirmed the importance of collaboration among the scientific community, producers and institutional stakeholders, as well as everyone’s commitment to continuing efforts to strengthen mastiha cultivation through education and innovation.

During the event, the following statements were made:

On behalf of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), Ms. Elina Klaridopoulou stated:

“The SNF supports New Agriculture New Generation through a founding donation, empowering young people active in the agrifood sector. We are particularly pleased to see today’s collaboration, all sharing a common goal — the preservation and strengthening of mastiha cultivation. We already see the fruits of this collective effort and we warmly congratulate the mastiha growers of Chios and the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association, who, with dedication and pride, keep alive and profitable a centuries-old tradition.”

In his message, Mr. Michael Psaros said:

“On behalf of The Hellenic Initiative — and as a proud Chiot and mastiha tree owner — I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations to New Agriculture New Generation and the local mastiha growers for this important effort to share the magic of our mastiha with the world. The Hellenic Initiative is honored to support this initiative and wishes you every success.”

Ms. Effie Lazaridou stated:

“The program’s success dispels myths such as ‘Greeks do not collaborate.’ Here, we see an effective system of cooperation among farmers, universities, cooperative enterprises, civil society and organizations. Farmer-to-farmer knowledge transfer is a valuable tool for disseminating knowledge and applying modern practices, helping to overcome the gap in education and training in the sector and create development prospects. I would like to thank, for their support and collaboration, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), the Aristotle University, the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association, The Hellenic Initiative, and of course all the producers who participate consistently and willingly in this initiative.”

To date, the program has trained more than 240 mastiha growers, creating the first organized knowledge and innovation transfer network on the island. It is the largest network in the Aegean and the largest producer support network for PDO products in Greece. Step by step, it continues to strengthen knowledge, training and sustainable development of mastiha cultivation in Chios.

The program “Mastic Trees: Ensuring the Future of a National Product – Knowledge and Innovation Transfer Network in Chios” will continue in 2026.

Learn more about the program here.

New Agriculture New Generation announces the event titled “Cultivating the Future of Mastic: Education, Research, and Innovation,” which will take place on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 18:00, at the Homerion Cultural Center of the Municipality of Chios.

The event is organized as part of the program “Mastic Trees: Ensuring the Future of a National Product – Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Network in Chios,” which aims to ensure the sustainability, protection and promotion of mastiha cultivation on the island.

The program is designed and implemented in collaboration with the Laboratory of Floriculture, Department of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association, under the scientific coordination of Associate Professor Mr. Stefanos Chatzilazarou.

It is co-funded by New Agriculture New Generation through the founding donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), The Hellenic Initiative and the Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association.

To date, the program has trained more than 240 mastiha growers through the first organized network for knowledge transfer and innovation in Chios and continues its strong course by promoting knowledge exchange, empowering growers and fostering the sustainable development of local production.

The event will bring together scientists, growers and stakeholders, aiming to present the progress and future of the program, highlight best practices and discuss the modern prospects of mastic cultivation through the use of research, innovation and precision agriculture tools.

For more information, please visit: https://newagri.org/en/lines-of-action/mastichodentra-diasfalizontas-to-mellon-enos-ethnikou-proiontos/

Event Program

18:00–18:30 | Arrival of participants

 18:30–18:50 | Welcome Remarks

• George Toumbos, President of the Board, Chios Gum Mastic Growers Association
• Elina Klaridopoulou, Senior Program Officer, Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
• Michael G. Psaros, THI Vice Chair of the Board
• Michael Printzos,, Country Head, The Hellenic Initiative, Greece
• Effie Lazaridou, CEO, New Agriculture New Generation

18:50–19:20 | Presentation: Overview of the program’s implementation to date

• Stefanos Chatzilazarou, Associate Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
• Stefanos Kostas, PhD, Special Teaching Staff, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Laboratory of Floriculture

19:20–20:00 | Panel Discussion: Experiences from the network and the benefits of knowledge transfer from producer to producer

• Despina Kyli, Lead Mastiha Grower
• Alexis Tsounakos, Lead Mastiha Grower

Moderator: Sotiris Katselos, Communications Director, New Agriculture New Generation

20:00–20:45 | Presentation: Digital agriculture: Applications, challenges and prospects

• Spyros Fountas, Professor of Precision Agriculture, Agricultural University of Athens
• Michalis Asimoglou, Electrical Engineer

20:45–21:00 | Q&A Session