Europe is under a severe financial crisis, the worst since the end of the 2nd World War. The ultimate tragedy of WW2 lead to the birth of the European Idea, the vision of a great single European country. European Union has been the outcome of the efforts towards materializing this vision and the Monetary Union, the Eurozone, doubtlessly is the most important milestone till today.
The current financial crisis has made clear though that a number of structural weaknesses have to be overcome for building a truly united Europe on a solid ground. One major part of the weaknesses concerns decision making and economic governance. We are very happy to watch recently the European Council initiating the process of addressing this challenge. However, another set of weaknesses, at least of the same importance with economic governance, has to do with entrepreneurial culture, spirit and investing in inventiveness, domains where Europe has to perform much better in the future for remaining sustainable and keeping its leading position in the global economy.
In the June 2010 EXECOM we shall try to uncover the EU structural weaknesses which let the financial crisis to have such a severe impact in our economy and to discuss the ways that Europe can boost entrepreneurship and inventiveness the years to come.
EU-27 does have the highest GDP worldwide. This fact makes all of the Europeans feel proud but also responsible for the global economy. Entrepreneurship, innovation, inventiveness and green economy form the core of the European response to the challenges of the financial crisis and will successfully lead Europe to sustainable growth the prosperity in the 21st century, the century of the united Europe.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
18:00 - 21:00 The Greek Start-up Conference
18:00 - 18:10 Opening: Dimitris Tsigos, President of the Hellenic Association of Young Entrepreneurship
"Start-up entrepreneurship as the main instrument for sustainable growth in Europe"
18:10 - 18:30 Key Note Speech: Yiannis Boutaris, Founder of KIR-YIANNI wines, politician, activist for wildlife conservation
"Creativity and entrepreneurship in Europe, in harmony with the wildlife and the environment"
18:30 - 18:50 Presentation: Stefan Tzalov
18:50 - 20:00 Presentations - investment pitches of ten European innovative start-ups
20:00 - 21:00 Match-making event between start-up entrepreneurs and VC / Angel investors
21:30 Cocktail reception
Friday, June 25, 2010
09:00 - 14:00 YES Conference: "Uncovering the EU Structural weaknesses through the Greek crisis - Start up Entrepreneurship and Investing in Inventiveness and Green Economy is the European Answer"
09:00 - 09:30 Registration
09:30 - 10:00 Salutations
Andreas Stefanidis, Secretary General of the Hellenic Association of Young Entrepreneurs
Ivan Sempere Massa, President of YES - European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs
Mr. Dimitris Lakasas, President of Exporters’ Association of Northern Greece (SEVE)
10:00 - 10:20 Conference Opening Speech, George Papandreou, Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic
10:20 - 14:00 Key Note Speeches
10:20 - 10:40 Yannis Kent, Founder & CEO of youtravel.com & Founder of Aquis Hotels and Resorts
"Entrepreneurship in the travel & tourism industries"
10:40 - 11:00 Claire Munck, Managing Director of EBAN - The European Trade Association for Business Angels, Seed Funds, & Early Stage Market Players
"The role of Angel Investors in the promotion of entrepreneurship in Europe"
11:00 - 11:20 Stefanos Manos, Politician, Industrialist, President of the "Drassi" political party, frm. Minister of Finance.
"Policies for boosting innovation and entrepreneurship in european level"
11:20 - 11:40 Coffee Break
11:40 - 12:00 Henri Malosse, President of the European Economic & Social Committee - Employers Group
"The EESC initiatives for promoting entrepreneurship in Europe"
12:00 - 12:20 Marc Dangeard, Founder of Entrepreneur Commons
"Providing funding and peer support for entrepreneurs"
12:20 - 12:40 Gregory P. Prastacos, Rector, Athens University of Economics and Business
"Educational policies and best practices for the development of entrepreneurial culture"
12:40 - 13:00 Coffee Break
13:00 - 14:30 Presentation of five entrepreneurial success stories from Europe
14:30 - 16:00 Lunch
Parallel Sessions
16:00 - 18:00 The YES - European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs Executive Committee Meeting
16:00 - 18:00 B2B Match-Making event for the promotion of intra-european commercial relations
20:30 The Conference Gala Dinner
Saturday, June 26, 2010
10:00 - 13:00 Guided Tour to Byzantium monument tour of Thessaloniki.