For the third consecutive year, the Hellenic Initiative (The Hellenic Initiative - THI) has actively supported youth entrepreneurship in Greece through theVenture Impact Awards 2022(VIA). An institution that since 2020 has offered cash prizes worth a total of $535,000 to 32 organisations with a positive impact on Greek society and economy.

VIA's goal is to help dynamic start-ups grow. At the same time, however, to deepen their positive footprint in Greek society. Founding donors of the awards are the Helidoni Foundation and the Charles C. Condes Endowment. Funding is also provided by the Hellenic Initiative, the largest organization of Greeks in the Diaspora and administrator of the programme.

Winners will be selected not only on the basis of their ability to be cost-effective, but also on how their activity translates into a humanitarian, social or environmental impact, while encouraging cooperation and promoting innovation.

Interested parties can apply to the Venture Impact Awards until 20 November by following the link.

VIA is the newest of the Hellenic Initiative's programs such as Envolve Greece, Venture Garden and Athens Venture Fair. Programmes which since 2012 have helped dynamic startups raise capital. At the same time, they received consulting services from experienced executives and expanded their presence in more markets.

This year, the Hellenic Initiative welcomes Microsoft as a partner and donor to the Venture Impact Awards. As part of its overall support, Microsoft will also present its renewed platform for start-ups Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub . A platform created to provide startup founders with the tools they need depending on their stage of maturity.

In the framework of its cooperation with the Hellenic Initiative, the Microsoft will guide the winning startups in terms of how to access and use the privileges and benefits associated with Azure - through MfS FH among others will have the opportunity to unlock Azure credits worth up to 150.000 dollars for four years.

At the same time they will be able to use various Microsoft tools for the same four-year period such as:

• Visual Studio Enterprise
• GitHub Enterprise
• Microsoft 365
• power platform
• Dynamics 365 - 1:1 technical services consulting sessions
• 24/7 technical support
• access to Microsoft Mentor Nework
• Microsoft's marketplace and AppSource
• GTM funds
• Customer Activation Support

The Venture Impact Awards 2022 will be presented at a special event at the end of the year (14 December) at the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Centre (National Library Building).

Harriette Condes Zervakis, representative of the Charles Condes Estate

"We are particularly pleased to partner with the Hellenic Initiative in this special programme that actively supports fresh innovative ideas of young Greek entrepreneurs that contribute to the development of the Greek economy. Through our contribution we aim to honor the legacy and vision of Charles C. Condes."

George P. Stamas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Initiative

"Theaim of the Hellenic Initiative is to develop the Greek innovation and entrepreneurship system. In the first 10 years since our foundation,we have developed programs that support Greek companies from their first steps until they grow and become viable. This year we welcome Microsoft to our family of programs, taking another step towards the creation of a new Greece."