Bridging philanthropy and purpose-driven entrepreneurship for a sustainable future.

The Helidoni Group and Helidoni Foundation participated in two major European events dedicated to purpose-driven entrepreneurship and impact investment: the 3rd Hellenic Impact Investing Conference (HIIC) in Athens and the SO:25 Steward-Ownership Conference in Berlin.

3rd Hellenic Impact Investing Conference (HIIC) - Athens, October 13–14

Organized by the Hellenic Impact Investing Network, this year’s conference brought together professionals, investors, and organizations shaping the future of social and environmental impact in Greece.
With a central theme of building a strong impact entrepreneurship ecosystem, the event focused on collaboration, innovation, and financing models that merge financial performance with social value.

Helidoni Group supported the conference as a sponsor, while its team participated actively in sessions and discussions.
During the Impact Startup Showcase: Greece Edition, three portfolio founders - Robenso, Plan(e)t Foods, and FlexThis - presented their innovative ventures.

On the second day, Apostolos Tsatsoulis, Associate at Helidoni Group, joined the panel “IGNITE, SUPPORT & SCALE: Building Deal Flow for Impact Investors”, exploring strategies to strengthen investment opportunities in the impact sector.

The conference concluded with the Stewardship Panel: From Ownership to Outcomes, curated by Helidoni Group, featuring:

• Leonardos Valettas, CEO, Stewards & Ten Million Hands
• Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director, Helidoni Group & Helidoni Foundation
• Sotiris Petropoulos, Co-Founder, HIGGS
• Christos Porios, Founder, Schema Labs & Open Council
• Adam Markakis, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Astylab

Two Helidoni Foundation portfolio companies were also presented: Ten Million Hands, Greece’s first issuer of social-purpose meal and gift cards, and Open Council, promoting civic participation in local governance.

SO:25 Steward-Ownership Conference - Berlin, October 8–9

Earlier that week, the Helidoni Foundation and Stewards participated in SO:25, the global conference organized by the Purpose Foundation in Berlin. The event is the leading international gathering dedicated to Steward-Ownership, a business model linking entrepreneurial success with social purpose and long-term responsibility.

Dimitris Georgakopoulos (Founder, Helidoni Foundation), Alexis Zitrides (Managing Director, Helidoni Foundation), and Leonardos Valettas (CEO, Stewards & Ten Million Hands) represented Greece at the event.

The program included the “Berlin through the lens of Steward-Ownership” tour, visiting Berlin-based businesses practicing the model - such as MOGLi Naturkost, Haferkater, Vyld, and Stapelstein® - offering participants hands-on insights into purpose-led corporate governance.

In Greece, the Helidoni Foundation actively supports initiatives that promote the Steward-Ownership model, including Ten Million Hands, Open Council, and incubator or accelerator programs by Astylab and HIGGS, which guide new entrepreneurs toward purpose-driven structures.

According to Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director of Helidoni Group & Helidoni Foundation:

“Across both conferences, we witnessed the convergence of impact investing and the Steward-Ownership model — a new mindset where profit and purpose work hand in hand. This is the path toward an economy that serves people and the future.”

Leonardos Valettas, CEO of Stewards and Ten Million Hands, added:

“The global Steward-Ownership community is growing rapidly, and it’s important that Greece, through the work of Stewards, is part of this conversation — building businesses that connect entrepreneurship with social purpose.”

Ownership meets purpose in Greece’s evolving social economy, and Helidoni Foundation is proud to stand alongside Stewards, the country’s first ambassador of the Steward-Ownership (SO) model. Stewards are leading a new wave of mission-driven enterprises that prioritize long-term impact over short-term profit.

In 2025, with our continued support, Stewards will help organizations like Ten Million Hands and Schema Labs to transition into the SO model. Through mentorship, alternative financing, and partnerships with academia and impact funds, Stewards is building the foundation for a values-driven economy.

“At Helidoni, we believe true impact comes from aligning ownership with purpose. Supporting Stewards means fostering a new generation of enterprises that put social and environmental good first.” says Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director of Helidoni Foundation.

Leonardo Valettas, Cofounder and Executive Director of Stewards pins down the core mission of the organization, “Stewards are bringing a new model of governance and corporate structure, empowering a transition to an economy that serves first and foremost the people and the society, while protecting and preserving the planet”

Together, we are shaping Greece’s future economy—responsible, transparent, and mission-led.

We’re excited to support World Human Forum and its pioneering Inner Values Incubator (IVI) - a free, innovative self-assessment tool that helps individuals and organisations identify their core and aspirational values, reflect on their inner development, and align their actions with what truly matters.

With Helidoni Foundation’s support, IVI is expanding its impact through workshops, training sessions, and free online access to the tool.

“IVI helps pave the way for more conscious and values-rooted action, and we’re excited to be part of its journey.” says Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director at Helidoni Foundation.

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Helidoni Foundation is proud to continue supporting Ten Million Hands (TMH), a dynamic initiative reshaping how people and businesses in Greece approach conscious consumption. Since 2022, TMH has brought Sustainable Development Goal 12 to life through practical resources and educational content.

In 2025, TMH is embarking on an ambitious new phase, expanding its online Information Hub, Conscious Marketplace, and Meal & Benefits Cards, while launching a school program endorsed by the Ministry of Education.

“Supporting Ten Million Hands reflects our commitment to fostering responsible consumption and empowering communities. Their work is inspiring meaningful change that will benefit both people and the planet.” says Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director of Helidoni Foundation.

Together, we are nurturing a more conscious and sustainable Greece.

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