Lab to Market Fellows Visit Columbia University, Attend New York Tech Week

In June, 25 Greek students traveled to Columbia’s campus as part of the Lab to Market initiative. The week-long immersion experience was designed to connect emerging innovators with the academic, entrepreneurial, and investment ecosystems of New York.

During their stay, the Fellows met with faculty and researchers from Columbia University, engaged with experienced mentors, and participated in interviews and discussions with venture capital representatives, investors, and innovation leaders. Participants received valuable feedback on their business ideas, as well as practical insights into the process of transforming research and technology into market-ready ventures.

Their stay coincided with New York Tech Week, giving the Fellows direct exposure to one of the world’s most dynamic innovation gatherings. 

The Fellows were joined by a delegation from Koç University in Türkiye, as students and researchers discussed their experiences and challenges with peers.

A highlight of the week was the June 2 discussion,“Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Engineering in the U.S.,” organized in collaboration with Hellenic Institute of Advanced Studies (HIAS) and Columbia Engineering. The speakers included Elisa Konofagou, Robert and Margaret Hariri Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Radiology Physics, and Neurosurgery at Columbia University. Lab to Market Fellows Elpida Oikonomou, Stavros Mouratidis, and Anna Maria Papakonstantinou also participated in a panel discussion, sharing their perspectives on how the initiative has helped them develop their ideas and refine their entrepreneurial mindset.

“I joined the Lab to Market to support our team’s idea,” Elpida Oikonomou said, “but it ended up doing much more than that. Not only did it help accelerate our project, it also accelerated my own personal and professional growth.”