InnoForum | InnoExpo

June 6, 2023

A trivial, every-day life problem sparks an innovative idea. You try it out. It really works! For your friends as well! Then, the world is the limit… That’s how you embark on your own journey in innovation. From early on in the sail, you encounter rough seas and face wreckages, until you finally reach steady ground in the entrepreneurial world. Is there a more efficient way to sail? Are failures unavoidable? Can failures help you succeed? These and more questions will be addressed and personal experiences shared by our invited speakers, who have themselves turned failure to a successful journey in innovation.

EURECA-PRO European University on Responsible Consumption and Production is organizing the InnoForum 2023 as a lively, interpersonal stage to exchange ideas and share experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) among established as well as young and aspiring innovators from the EURECA-PRO Universities and the local community. The event will be offered in a hybrid format, with our invited speakers presenting in person in front of a live audience at the TUC Campus, while our EURECA-PRO partners attend remotely.

The InnoExpo event, which will conclude the day, will serve as our real-life, hands-on platform where international and local innovators and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to exhibit and brainstorm around their innovative concepts, approaches and applications.

Attending the InnoForum 2023 and associated InnoExpo events, the participant will have the opportunity to:

  • Manage failure in I&E and then undertake the necessary steps to finally reach success.
  • Pivot around obstacles in I&E.
  • Exchange failure and success stories with peers in I&E.
  • Get exposed to innovative approaches, methodologies and applications.

Target group: Academics; Staff; Established and aspiring Innovators & Entrepreneurs; General Public

InnoForum Programm (download): Invited talks and panel discussions

InnoExpo Floorplan & Directions (download)

Duration: June 6th,  2023 (single-day event)

Level of participation and workload: The InnoForum 2023 is organized as an Activity of the EURECA-PRO Innovation Academy Programme. To earn the EURECA-PRO Certificate of Specialization in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, participants in the InnoForum 2023 are required :

  1. register by 05.05.2023,
  2. attend the InnoForum (in person or electronically),
  3. submit the InnoForum 2023 Assignment.

The assignment is uploaded to and will be submitted via the designated folder in EURECA-PRO Moodle LMS.  All other participants (i.e., registered between 05.05 and 05.06 and/or not submitting the InnoForum 2023 Assignment will receive a Certificate of Attendance for this Activity.

Due Date for InnoForum 2023 Assignment: Midnight (CEST) Tuesday, June 13th, 2023

 
 

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Programme Outline:

Deep dive into Innovation & Entrepreneurship Intensive Course/ONLINE [15.05-01.06.23]
InnoForum 2023 “Unlocking the Potential of Failure in Innovation”/HYBRID [06.06.2023]
Business Game (BGAME)/ SELF-PACED [01-15.06.2023]

Registration deadline for the InnoForum | InnoExpo event has expired on: Monday, June 5th

InnoForum 2023 | "Unlocking the Potential of Failure in Innovation"

InnoForum 2023 | "Unlocking the Potential of Failure in Innovation"

“ Manoussakis” Auditorium, TUC Campus | Tuesday, 06.06.2023

“ Manoussakis” Auditorium,
TUC Campus | Tuesday, 06.06.2023

Discussion Panel | 10:00 - 12:30

“From the... lightbulb to specs creation: what to keep and what to let go”

Prof. Panagiotis Partsinevelos

Moderator
Technical University of Crete
Bio

Ernesto G. Castañón, M.Sc.

"The Flavor of Failure"
TEDxLeón Organizer; Universidad de León
Bio

Konstantinos Vassakis, Ph.D.

“Failing Forward”
Bizrupt Co-founder
Bio

Lionel Bertrand, Ph.D.

“Enerex: Innovative Methodology for Underground Exploration: from Concept to Market”
ENEREX President; Université de Lorraine
Bio

Ilianna Vrouvaki, M.Sc.

“Success is Walking from Failure to Failure with no Loss of Enthusiasm”
Aura Kritis Founder & Lead Scientist
Bio

Discussion Panel | 14:00 - 16:30

“Materializing and testing an idea: a practical roadmap”

Prof. Evangelos Grigoroudis

Moderator
Technical University of Crete
Bio

Eri Pavlaki, M.Sc.

“Fail Fast to Succeed”
Women Do Business Co-founder & Director
Bio

Ries Bouwman, Ph.D.

“To Prototype or not to Prototype:
a Greek Drama in 3 Acts”
KNAPP.com Product Manager; Montanuniversität Leoben
Bio

Kostas Chartzoulakis, Ph.D.

“Improving the Farmer’s Acceptance of Zen-Irriware Precision Irrigation Software at Farm Level”
ZenAgroPC Scientific Consultant
Bio

Manolis Lerakis, M.Sc.

“Learning from our Mistakes”
AVOEL Founder & CEO
Bio
Panelists Bios
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Prof. Panagiotis Partsinevelos

Technical University of Crete

Dr. Partsinevelos is a professor in the areas of Space Informatics including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Satellite Remote Sensing and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAVs) in the Technical University of Crete. He received his PhD in Spatial Information Science & Engineering from the University of Maine, part of the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA) of USA and in a NASA sponsored center of excellence Remote Sensing Laboratory. He holds a Dipl. Eng. degree in Surveying Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and has worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Academic and Research Computer Technology Institute in Greece and as a GIS expert in the public sector. Besides his scientific publications, editorial positions and research projects as a coordinator, Dr. Partsinevelos has served as an invited speaker on the fields of research and innovation, eGovernment, smart cities, etc., and as the National representative of Galileo and Copernicus Masters competitions in the area of Space innovation. Dr. Partsinevelos directs the Space Informatics Research Team, SenseLab, comprising of more than 30 multi-disciplinary students and researchers. Senselab research interests include UAV related research, spanning from the implementation to integration and programming phase, Location-based services, tangible GIS, 3D reconstruction and point cloud processing, spatial database querying, navigation in GNSS-denied environments, satellite image processing, multi-spectral / spatiotemporal data management and visualization, etc. Beyond basic and applied research, SenseLab constitutes a renowned entity for innovative technology implementations certified by a series of prestigious international awards and distinctions including: 2022 Copernicus masters, finalists, Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport of Germany, 2019 Airbus competition winners, Toulouse, 2018 RMIT drones for refugees winners, Amman, 2017 Space Masters winners, Tallinn, 2016, European GNSS (GSA), winners, 2016 ESNC Satellite masters, 2nd overall winners, (400 teams), Madrid, 2016 UAE Drones for Good (1st in EU and 3rd internationally between 1017 applicants from 165 countries), Dubai, 2015 Copernicus Masters NCMA, 1st winner in Remote Sensing visualization, Berlin, 2015, etc.

Ernesto G. Castañón, M.Sc.

Universidad de León
I’ve had quite a diverse career journey so far. With a background in Food Engineering and Finance, I’ve always had a passion for innovation and technology, which led me to pursue a Master’s degree in ICT. As a TEDx Organizer and licensee (TEDxLeon), I’m constantly inspired by the ideas and stories of thought leaders around the world. I’ve never had a formal first job – I started my own business when I was just 22 years old and have been an entrepreneur ever since. From ice cream manufacturing to real estate, and now videography, I’ve gained valuable experience in a variety of industries. Originally from Spain, I’ve lived and worked in Mexico and the USA which has broadened my perspective and allowed me to connect with people from all walks of life.

Konstantinos Vassakis, Ph.D.

Bizrupt Co-founder
Dr. Konstantinos Vassakis is Co-founder of Bizrupt and Director of the Foundit entrepreneurship program (Enterprise program of Prince Trust International). He holds a PhD from the University of Crete and he is an Adjunct Professor in innovation, marketing and entrepreneurship at the Department of Management Science and Technology of Hellenic Mediterranean University. He has experience in knowledge extraction from data that leads to innovation and business strategy. He participates regularly as a designer, trainer, speaker, mentor, and judge in programs, competitions and events supporting business ideas and innovation. He is always curious about ways to disrupt our future and passionate about new technologies, innovation, and startups. He is an experienced ecosystem builder and experienced business developer who specializes in innovation strategy & technology. In 2022 received the IVLP Impact Award from the Department of State.

Lionel Bertrand, Ph.D.

ENEREX President; Université de Lorraine
Lionel Bertrand has done a PhD thesis and two years of post-doctoral research (2013-2019) in the GeoRessources laboratory from University of Lorraine about the exploration of deep geothermal resources in France. The aim was to adapt the methodology of exploration in fractured reservoirs from oil and gas domain to the exploration of deep and hot fluid flows for heat and electricity production. With two Professors of the laboratory, he founded ENEREX in 2020 to assist geothermal operators in their exploration process with their expertise and develop technological innovations to optimize the workflow. At the same time, an industrial disaster stopped the geothermal exploration projects in France and ENEREX’s business model had to be completely adapted by redirecting the innovation ideas to other type of underground exploration. Three years later, Enerex provide its solution for different activities like Archeology, Mining, UXO detection or landslides characterization in different countries of the world.

Ilianna Vrouvaki, M.Sc.

Aura Kritis Founder & Lead Scientist
Ilianna Vrouvaki is the Founder and Principal Scientist of Aura Kritis cosmetics. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Crete, being awarded by the Association of Greek Chemists Society for completing her studies on top of the class. She has developed expertise on cosmetic science through her experience on cosmetic analysis at the University of Valencia (2015), being member of the human resources of a well-established cosmetic company (2015) and completing her Master’s degree at the field of Industrial Pharmacy – Cosmetic Technology, at University of Patras (2018). Furthermore, she was awarded with the “Young Researcher Award” for “Best Poster Presentation” at the 1st International Conference on Nanotechnologies and Bionanoscience – NanoBIO 2018 and has an established record in academic research publications and teaching. In 2020, she founded Aura Kritis natural cosmetics, where she has been appointed by the Greek National Organization for Medicines as the Principal Scientist for the supervision of all manufacturing processes, within the cosmetic production unit. Today, she devotes herself in the preparation of natural cosmetics, bearing the beneficial properties of pure organic olive oil and Cretan flora.

Prof. Evangelos Grigoroudis

Technical University of Crete
Evangelos Grigoroudis is Professor on Management of Quality Processes in the School of Production Engineering and Management of the Technical University of Crete, Greece (2002-). He serves as Dean for the School of Production Engineering and Management of the Technical University of Crete, and he is the national representative in EURO (Association of European Operational Research Societies) and IFORS (International Federation of Operational Research Societies). He is Vice-President of the Hellenic Operational Research Society (HELORS) and member of the American Society for Quality (senior member), the Sigma Xi Scientific and Research Society, the New York Academy of Sciences, and the International Society on Multiple Criteria Making. He has received distinctions from the Hellenic Operational Research Society, best paper awards from the World Automation Congress the IEEE-TEM journal, the Academy of Business and Administrative Sciences, and the gold award of the Greek Healthcare Business Awards 2017. He is Associate Editor and member of the Editorial Board of 8 and 6 scientific journals, respectively, and he acts as reviewer for more than 80 journals. He also acts as reviewer for several international publishing houses (Edward Elgar, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Palgrave Macmillan, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Wiley, World Scientific Publishers). He is author and/or editor of 18 books on service quality, operations management, business strategy and management, multicriteria decision aid approaches, and innovation management. He has published more than 200 papers in scientific journals, books and conference proceedings, and he has edited 7 feature issues in scientific journals. He has chaired 3 scientific conferences, he has been member of the organizing/scientific committee of approximately 50 conferences, and he has more than 250 presentations at national and international scientific conferences. Since 1991, he has been involved as coordinator or research associate in 50 international and national research projects.

Eri Pavlaki, M.Sc.

Women Do Business Co-founder & Director
Eri Pavlaki has been awarded as one of “Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise for 2022” in Europe from EUCLID and she has been distinguished as 1 from 10 winners all over Greece from Vodafone Foundation, Program “World of Difference” for 2021. She is keynote speaker for Empowerment and Entrepreneurship for women and Promotion of Equality in workspace and TedEx Workshop Instructor. In addition, she is co-founder/Director at startup “Star Sleep”. Star Sleep is in the acceleration program of the Capsule T Accelerator, awarded as best Accelerator in South Europe. She holds a MSc degree in International Law, Diplomacy Studies & Human Rights. She is professionally experienced in various fields, while she had also taken over the management of a family business active in the sector of imports & trade. She occupied herself with Marketing and B2B sales of various companies in Crete. Eri was, also, the founder and chairwoman of the voluntary association “I’m Still a Child” for abused and needy children. She was identified as a trainee and mentor in Erasmus+ activities. Eri Pavlaki has supported several respective social projects as a Leader or Project Manager during her social activism. Through her actions in Civil Society, she has directly or indirectly benefited almost 11,000 people.

Ries Bouwman, Ph.D.

KNAPP.com Product Manager; Montanuniversität Leoben
Marinus (Ries) was born in the Netherlands, raised in Belgium and studied and worked all over Europe. He worked 15 years in the area of Computational Fluid Dynamics, making him accustomed to High Performance Computing, Cloud Computing and Big Data. Since 2013, Marinus worked with several startups in the field of food production, which brought him a thorough understanding of (online) retail and Guerilla Marketing. Ries now works at KNAPP.com where he is responsible for software that calculates mixed pallets as well as software that automatically gathers, maintains and extends automation master data.

Kostas Chartzoulakis, Ph.D.

ZenAgroPC Scientific Consultant
Mr. Konstantinos Chartzoulakis was born in Kissamos, Chania Crete in 1952. He is graduated from Agricultural University of Athens and ηolder of doctorate from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki. He worked as agronomist-researcher from1980 up to 2005 on issues related to irrigation of horticultural crops in the Institute of Olive Tree and Subtropical Plants in Chania, Crete and from 2006-2013 was appointed director of the Institute. He has published 65 original research papers in international journals (SCI) with more from 4600 citations and more than 160 papers in proceeding of national and international congresses. He has organized 3 international congresses in Chania, he has participated in 32 competitive programs of EU and the International Olive Council (IOC) and he is invited speaker in many national and international conferences and symposia. He is co-editor of the book ‘Following the olive footprints’ and author of the books ‘Irrigation of horticultural crops’ and ‘Wild edible plants of Kissamos’. He worked as a consultant on irrigation and olive growing issues in China, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt and Jordan. For his work he has been rewarded by the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), the Greek Society of Horticultural Science (EEEO) and the Hellenic Society of Agricultural Engineers (EGME). His articles have been published in many newspapers, like Eleftheropypia, Ta Nea, Exousia, Real News, Haniotika Nea, Patris, Agonas, Agrenda and in the magazines Ydrooikonomia, Georgia-Ktinotrofia, Efori Gi and Olive and Olive Oil. From 1983-1985 he was elected as chairman of the Municipal Council of Kissamos.

Manolis Lerakis, M.Sc.

AVOEL Founder & CEO
Manolis Lerakis was born in 1974 in Chania/Crete/Greece to a father tailor/farmer and a farmer mother. In 1992 he joined the Production Engineering department of the Technical University of Crete and graduated in 1997. During 1998 & 1999 he served in the Greek military and in January 2000 he started his profession as a freelancer dealing with Industrial Control issues and international quality standards. He was the founder of the 1st modern training unit in Greece for professional drivers and special categories of dangerous goods and launched the first pan-Hellenic (Greek) Electronic Driver Examination system. On that basis, of which the Greek state established the electronic examination, the solution is still valid until today. In 2004 he completed his postgraduate studies at the Technical University of Crete and founded a dangerous goods control unit in Crete. Until today he continues to run a consulting company as an Engineer with the name TEAN (tean.gr) which employs 12 people with a presence in 3 Greek cities (Chania, Rethymno and Athens). In 2015, he founded AVOEL, an Avocado processing site that currently employs 9 people and has received innovation awards from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, from the international innovation evaluation committee of the biennial Sial innovation competition of France, and the Technology and Research Foundation of Crete. Learning from past challenges and sometimes mistakes, he strives on a daily basis, alongside with his team and partners, to achieve common goals as well as the company’s (Avoel) vision.