Welcome to the

Athens Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACE)

Whether you're a startup founder, a curious student, a researcher or an established business seeking to spark innovation, ACE is here to empower you.

Open Calls

Are you a student or researcher and wish to turn your innovative entrepreneurial ideas or scientific research into a sustainable business? This is your place.

Start for Future

OpenApply nowStart for Future LEARN 2025 is a hands-on program where participants develop entrepreneurial skills, collaborate internationally, and create innovative solutions in key industries. Guided by experts, they pitch ideas and compete for financial and mentorship prizes.

Innovation, Tech & Culture Summer School

Opens on AprilThe program seeks to bring together the world of digital arts, technology and entrepreneurship, leveraging creativity to address societal, environmental, and business challenges. Participants form interdisciplinary teams to design and develop innovative, original projects.

Ignite Ideas

Closed The Ignite Ideas program is an open innovation program in collaboration with Nestlé Hellas. It supports startups and entrepreneurial teams by giving the opportunity to pilot their products or services in a real-world environment.

IP Protection

OpenApply nowIP Protection helpσ researchers safeguard their innovations by securing patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. This service provides guidance on protecting intellectual property, ensuring legal security and maximizing future commercialization potential.

The incubator and the technology transfer office of Athens University of Economics & Business

ACE is open and accessible to everyone, extending beyond the boundaries of Athens University of Economics and Business. Regardless of your background or affiliation, our doors are wide open to individuals who aspire to embark on entrepreneurial endeavours or seek to commercialise research outcomes. ACE ranked 69th among the 125 best accelerators andincubators in Europe, according to the "Europe’s Leading StartupHubs 2024" report published by the Financial Times and Statista.

Our services

Explore our dynamic programs designed to empower entrepreneurs, foster innovation, and turn ideas into successful ventures

Startup Acceleration & Incubation

From ambition to acceleration We support start-ups and founders at all stages.

Entrepreneurial Skills Development

Learning entrepreneurship – through our hand-ons workshops, lectures and executive programs for founders and corporates.

Technology Transfer

Create a university spinoff & get support on patents.

Proof-of-Concept Funding

Develop your pilot! We help strartups and founders secure prototyping funding and pilot implementation.

Innovation for Corporates

Unlocking the potential for innovation through scouting startups & technologies, co-developing products, boosting the entrepreneurial mindset.

Get access to a vibrant international network

Get access to a vibrant local ecosystem, an extended regional and international network

A decade of milestones

Celebrating a decade of impact, ACE has supported countless startups, nurtured innovation, and driven entrepreneurial success through key milestones!

10.5+

More than 15 startups have raised VC funding

235+

To empower employment in more than 10 industries

250+

Supported and endorsed by AUEB to run innovation

8000+

engaged & educated through our programs

With programs tailor made for you

Click and explore the ones that fit your needs

Our teams have gone and created outstanding companies

Stay in touch

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