Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Engineering in the U.S.
How does cutting-edge research, engineering, and entrepreneurship intersect to drive innovation in the U.S.?
This convening brings together leading academics, industry experts, and emerging founders to share insights on translating scientific discovery into real-world impact. From breakthroughs in biomedical engineering and computing to perspectives from industry leaders, the program highlights the pathways that transform ideas into scalable ventures.
The event, hosted by the Hellenic Institute of Advanced Studies, the Columbia Engineering School, the Columbia Business School, and the Columbia Global Center Athens, will culminate in a panel discussion featuring alumni of the Athens Center's Lab to Market initiative, offering firsthand perspectives on navigating today’s startup landscape — followed by a networking reception connecting attendees across academia, industry, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Speakers
- Costis Maglaras — Dean, Columbia Business School
- Petros Koumoutsakos — President, Hellenic Institute of Advanced Studies
- Elisa Konofagou — Robert and Margaret Hariri Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology (Physics), and Neurosurgery (Neurosciences), Columbia University
- Antonis Lazanas — Head of Portfolio and Index Research, Bloomberg
- Helen H. Lu — Professor of Biomedical Engineering
- Percy K. — Senior Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Advancement
- Vida L..W. Hudson — Advancement, Columbia University
- Kostis Kaffes — Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Columbia University
- Dora Varvarigou — Professor, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens
- Fotis Tsitsos, Parth Gami, Chrisha Nario — Columbia L2M Alumni
- Efthimios Kaxiras — John Hasbrouck Van Vleck Professor of Pure and Applied Physics, Harvard University
- Elpida Oikonomou, Stavros Mouratidis, Anna Maria Papakonstantinou — NTUA Entrepreneurs
- Ifigenia Kanara — Consul General of Greece in New York City
