At the Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia, we work to connect knowledge and ideas with practical opportunities for our region. Cooperation between public institutions, the university and the business community is essential to giving this work continuity.
WestBeyond, our joint initiative with the University of Western Macedonia, puts this approach into practice. The innovation competition aims to identify promising proposals and help the people behind them take the next step. The ten shortlisted teams will receive mentoring and present their ideas at the two-day Innovation and Entrepreneurship event on 10–11 December 2026, at the university amphitheatre in ZEP, Kozani.
Our aim is to strengthen the connection between research and the market and encourage partnerships with lasting potential. The initiative’s value will also depend on how these ideas develop beyond the competition.
I discussed this approach in an interview with Antonis Pougaridis on True Story Radio 102.8. The full interview is available below in Greek.
Watch the full interview on YouTube (in Greek)
Official information, eligibility and applications: westbeyond.uowm.gr. The official submission deadline is 1 November 2026.