Pitch to go

The competition of best innovative idea was successfully held on Friday, December 4, 2020, at 17:00, in the framework of the project “CREATING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OF YOUNG GRADUATES IN THE CB AREA – EMPLOYOUTH” which is part of the CBC Programme “Greece- Republic of Northern Macedonia 2014-2020”. The competition, due to measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, was held online using the zoom platform. The specific action was implemented by the Department of Regional and Territorial Development of the University of Western Macedonia in collaboration with EUROCONSULTANTS SA

The Department of Regional and Territorial Development of the University of Western Macedonia is a partner in the project with the Chamber of Serres (Lead Partner), the Chamber of Kilkis, , the Chamber of Pella, the St. Kliment Ohridski University – Bitola, Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies – Bitola and the Foundation for Sustainable Economic Development Preda plus.

The project beneficiaries who participated in the 2nd Phase of the Program in Thessaloniki and Bitola had the opportunity to present their business idea to the public.

The aim of the event was to highlight and support entrepreneurship, especially of young people, and to strengthen the creation of a culture of innovation. The ideas will be evaluated by a panel of representatives from the academic and business community and by VC Funds. Also the beneficiaries themselves will evaluate the other business ideas.

The event began with the welcome note from Dr. Elpida Samara, who welcomed the participants and thanked everyone and especially the members of the Evaluation Committee for their presence and support at the event. Then Mrs. Natasa Koufaki, External Expert of the University of Western Macedonia took the floor and after welcoming all the participants, presented the process for the pitch presentation  and the evaluation of business ideas.

Each business idea was evaluated by a committee composed of Mr. Dimitris Skalkos (Associate Professor at the University of Ioannina), Mr. Athanasios Kefalas (Entrepreneur and member of KEMEL), Mrs Dora Trahana (Associate Uni.Fund), Prof. Dr. Kostandina Veljanovska (Faculty of ICT UKLO – Bitola), Mrs.Katerina Trajkovksa (Chief Financial Officer) and Mr. Ljupco Gruevski (Manager at Pro Grupa) but also by the beneficiaries themselves.

The 5 best ideas that received the highest score will “travel” (individually or through the project leaders in case of a large group) to Athens (when the travel restrictions due to the Covid pandemic are lifted) and will have the opportunity to network with business professionals.

The project EMPLOYOUTH is co-funded by the European Union and by National Funds of the participating countries