Thessaloniki's largest university is betting on inspiration as the spark that can turn student ideas into viable startups, as a new series of sold-out events signals growing entrepreneurial momentum.
The "Inspiration Days", launched by the WALK AUTh Innovation Accelerator - the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - opened this week to a full house. The initiative comprises three mini sessions featuring business founders and market professionals who share hands-on experience with students, encouraging them to explore their own entrepreneurial paths.
The programme is designed to feed directly into the upcoming 2nd Student Entrepreneurship Competition, a Startup Bootcamp taking place from 20 to 22 March. The aim is to help undergraduate and postgraduate students transform early-stage concepts into sustainable business proposals.
"We wanted to prepare the ground, to show students that they do not need to be afraid or hesitate, thinking that this is something complex or inaccessible. We are also looking for immature ideas. That is the point," said Nikos Theodorakis, professor at Aristotle University and scientific head of WALK AUTh. "With the Inspiration Days, we want to spark interest in entrepreneurship and for that interest to then take flesh and bones through the student competition."
The first session, titled "I have an idea... How do I make the most of it?", features Pella Christina Papachristou of Thessaloniki-based fashion brand PCP Clothing. The company blends family tradition with contemporary aesthetics and environmental responsibility, using fabrics made from yarn derived from ocean plastic. Her talk focuses on how to turn something vague into value, equipping participants with skills such as structured thinking, goal-setting, breaking ideas into steps, and basic project planning.
On 3 March, InfinityGreece founder Giannis Charchantis will lead a session on "How to build a winning team", exploring the dynamics behind effective collaboration. Participants will examine how friction can be managed before it escalates into a crisis, how roles are allocated meaningfully and how different personalities can be aligned into a cohesive unit that produces tangible results. The session spotlights teamwork, clear communication, feedback and accountability as essential ingredients for startup survival.
The final session, held online on 10 March, turns to communication strategy, with Kamil Kamieniecki of the popular Marketing Parakalo channel, who will address how to promote an idea without a budget, focusing on organic social media growth, storytelling, and resourcefulness.
"The children have passion and ideas, but they often do not know how to make the most of them. A little inspiration and networking always help," Theodorakis said.
By Maria Mathiopoulou - adapted from Greek by Vassia Barba
