Episode description

Our next guest’s growth journey reflects the growth of the Greek innovation landscape.

Dimitris Kalavros got fascinated with tech innovation while working as a journalist. This is how he found his own calling for entrepreneurship.

Dimitris brought the TEDx conference to Athens and has curated it for more than a decade.

He also created Found.ation, a technology and innovation enabling platform in Southeast Europe. Today, Found.ation runs a digital transformation accelerator for companies and it acts as a tech education hive, offering reskilling, upskilling, and consulting services.

Later on, Dimitris put on the investor hat. He co-founded Velocity.Partners, a VC fund for early-stage ventures. The fund has supported 22 companies, many with international presence. And it already has 3 exits.

In his conversation with Irina, he reflects on his journey and the lessons learned along the way.

In the episode, he also talks about:

🔝 His evolution from a founder to an investor; (“Once you put on the investor’s hat you are no longer in the driver’s seat, you are no longer calling the shots”)

😨 Why fear is the main obstacle to start a business; (“The absence of fear is the energy source you need to start something new.”)

🇬🇷 His philosophy on the development of the Greek ecosystem; (“As an ecosystem, we mature together”)