News

We're proud to announce a Grant to Althyna, a new venture working to prevent falls among older adults in Greece.

In Greece, 1 in 3 people over 60 fall every year, with more than half of these incidents happening at home. The human and financial cost is significant, with over €1 billion spent annually on fractures alone.

Althyna's founder, Giannis Iakovakis, is tackling this with a simple starting point: make homes safer. Assessments, practical modifications, and a clear plan to prove the model across 100 households.

Althyna is also one of the first ventures in Greece to adopt a steward-ownership structure, meaning the mission is protected by design, not just by intention.

The venture came out of Astylab Founders, a programme we co-funded with Stewards and run by Astylab and Idea Machines. Eight founders, eight weeks, four ventures ready to launch. The programme returns in 2026.

“Prevention starts at home. With Althyna, we support practical solutions that make living environments safer for those most at risk.” – Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director, Helidoni Foundation

www.althyna.com

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We’re proud to support Storymentor, a storytelling organization that strengthens communication capacity and amplifies voices for social good. Since 2019, Storymentor has worked with more than 120 organizations, helping changemakers articulate their mission and impact with clarity and authenticity.

Through our support, Storymentor is launching Good Stories Labs, a capacity-building program bringing storytelling and presentation skills to regional Greece. The program will deliver five full-day workshops across cities including Herakleion, Ioannina, Larissa, Kalamata and Alexandroupoli, reaching 75 - 100 participants from civil society, education and the creative sector.

By equipping changemakers with the tools to communicate their work effectively, the initiative addresses a critical visibility gap - enabling organizations to build partnerships, attract support and expand their impact.

“Through this support, we aim to empower changemakers across Greece to share their stories with clarity and confidence, strengthening their ability to create lasting impact.” - Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director, Helidoni Foundation

#HelidoniFoundation #GoodStoriesLabs #Storytelling #SocialImpact #Changemakers #Greece

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We’re thrilled to support Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, an organization that has dedicated nearly 30 years to protecting the biodiversity of the Northeastern Mediterranean. Through research, conservation, and education, they safeguard fragile marine ecosystems and inspire the next generation of marine scientists.

Archipelagos is upgrading its research vessel Triton, adding essential sails, reefing systems, and a low-energy desalination unit. These upgrades will allow longer, safer, and more effective expeditions, supporting biodiversity monitoring, pollution assessments, and community-based conservation projects.

“Through this support, we’re helping Archipelagos expand its research and continue inspiring young people and local communities to actively protect marine life in the Mediterranean.” - Alexis Zitrides - Managing Director, Helidoni Foundation

#MarineConservation #HelidoniFoundation #Archipelagos #Biodiversity #Sustainability #EnvironmentalEducation

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We’re excited to collaborate with Astylab, an independent initiative in Athens dedicated to accelerating urban innovation and fostering ventures with social and environmental impact. With Helidoni Foundation’s Grant, Astylab will strengthen its flagship Founders Program, equipping early-stage entrepreneurs with mentorship, resources, and community to address critical challenges facing our cities and society.

“Astylab’s work creates pathways for founders to build ventures that serve people and the planet  and we’re proud to stand beside them.” - Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director of Helidoni Foundation

Together, we’re building a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future for entrepreneurship in Greece.

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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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We’re excited to support AFI – Action Finance Initiative, Greece’s first non-banking microfinance institution, in its mission to combat financial and social exclusion by providing micro‑loans and free business advice to unemployed individuals and small businesses. With Helidoni Foundation’s grant, AFI will strengthen its business development services, upgrade its digital tools, and launch a nationwide awareness campaign on financial inclusion.

“Entrepreneurship is a pathway to development and contribution to economy. AFI’s work creates opportunity for people to grow and thrive — and we’re proud to stand behind that.” - Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director of Helidoni Foundation.

"Helidoni Foundation’s support is a strong vote of confidence in AFI’s mission and our 10-year effort to promote entrepreneurship. This partnership strengthens our work to advance financial inclusion in Greece."- Stamatis Velegkrakis, CEO of AFI

Together, we’re building a more inclusive and resilient future for entrepreneurship in Greece.

Helidoni Foundation is proud to support an immersive educational program at the Prespes Lakes in partnership with The American College of Greece (ACG). In May 2025, this week-long field course offered students hands-on experience with biodiversity, environmental challenges, and sustainable practices in one of Greece’s most ecologically rich areas.

“We are excited to support a program that integrates environmental awareness into students' education journey. Connecting students with nature and local communities is key to nurturing future environmental leaders.” - Alexis Zitrides, Managing Director of Helidoni Foundation.

This initiative exemplifies how experiential learning can inspire meaningful actions regarding the environment and foster a sustainable future.

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