The Entrepreneurship Center of ACT - The American College of Thessaloniki is implementing this spring two free programs for the training of young entrepreneurs.

Specifically, applications for two programs of the Entrepreneurship Center of ACT - The American College of Thessaloniki are now closed:

• the "VentureGarden" Free Young Entrepreneur Training Programme (applications were submitted until 26 March)
• the 10thJohn and Mary PappajohnBusiness Ideas Competition offering five prizes of €4,000 (applications by 2 April)

VentureGarden is a free business idea accelerator program. In Thessaloniki it is implemented by ACT, with the support of The Hellenic Initiative (THI) and sponsored by From Scratch, Quantum Business & IT Solutions, and BILLIA SA.

Participation in the programme from the ACT Entrepreneurship Centre is free of charge and is for people with vision and dedication. The programme helps them to join the entrepreneurial ecosystem by creating their own business or developing their existing one. VentureGarden starts with an intensive and targeted five-week training period.

Classes are held in class with physical attendance every Monday and Wednesday from 6pm - 9pm from 12/4/2023 to 5/17/2023 (excluding holidays).

The training focuses on understanding all aspects of running a modern business. The aim is for the business idea to be feasible and sustainable. Instructors are teachers and entrepreneurs. After completion of the course, participants who can benefit from mentoring are selected.

Since the launch of the programme in February 2014, 617 people have been selected, out of a total of 1,778 applicants, to attend the 17 previous cycles in Thessaloniki. Participants from previous rounds of the programme have received funding to realise their ideas and have created thriving businesses thanks to the support they received from the programme. It is estimated that more than 120 new companies, with 350 jobs, have been founded thanks to VentureGarden in Thessaloniki and other cities in Northern Greece.

The number of places is limited and an evaluation process will follow for the selection of candidates.

10th "John & John's" Business Ideas Competition Mary Pappajohn Business Competition"

At least one award to an environmental responsibility entrepreneurship project

On April 2, 2023, applications for the 10th John & John's Business Ideas Competition will close. Mary Pappajohn Business Competition". The competition will award five €4,000 prizes to each of the five best business plans. The cash prizes are offered by the Greek-born entrepreneur John Pappajohn.

Contestants will be judged on the basis of the idea they submit, as well as their personal entrepreneurial skills. Specifically the degree of innovation, the ability and readiness to develop the idea, sustainability, knowledge, commitment and entrepreneurial skills of the applicants will be taken into account. Especially this year, at least one prize will be given to an environmental responsibility entrepreneurship project. That is, a viable project that will address an issue relating to the environment (but not limited to recycling, water resources, particulate air, global warming, soil pollution, etc.).

The competition by the ACT Entrepreneurship Centre is divided into three stages

The first involves submitting ideas by Sunday 2 April 2023 to www.act.edu/pappajohn-awards.

The description of the idea should include:

• the proposed product/service
• the target market
• the revenue model of the proposed idea (revenue model)
• the novelty/innovation characterising the idea
• the maturity level of the idea

Participation in the Pappajohn competition alone is a first-class opportunity for each contestant to "test" their idea in a competitive environment and to network with institutions and organisations that will help them to further develop their project. Moreover, success in the competition, apart from the prize money, serves as a passport for finding partners and investors in Greece and abroad in subsequent stages.

At the same time, the Entrepreneurship Center organizes programs that offer free knowledge in key areas of business reality. It also provides mentoring by experienced entrepreneurs through the network of mentors and partners it has developed.