The online event titled “Reinventing Money in the Digital Age: FinTech, Artificial Intelligence and the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” was successfully held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The event was co-organized by ALLILON, the International Hellenic University (IHU) and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH).
The event attracted significant interest, with the participation of approximately 90 students, researchers and professionals from the fields of economics, information technology, entrepreneurship and the financial sector. Their active participation contributed to the development of a dynamic and productive dialogue on current developments in FinTech, artificial intelligence and the digital economy.
The initiative aimed to contribute to the public and academic discussion on the rapid transformations that new technologies are bringing to the financial system and the broader business environment. At a time when digital innovation is reshaping markets, payment services, banking operations and data management, the exchange of knowledge and experience between academia and industry professionals is becoming increasingly important.
The event highlighted the importance of collaboration between universities, organizations and business stakeholders in understanding and leveraging the developments that are shaping the future of money and the digital economy. At the same time, it created an open platform for discussion on issues related to financial technology, digital assets, the role of artificial intelligence in entrepreneurship and the development of a modern and competitive innovation ecosystem.
The active engagement of participants, through questions and contributions, played an important role in fostering a meaningful discussion on both the challenges and the opportunities of the new digital era.
The organizers would like to express their sincere thanks to all speakers, moderators, mentors and participants for their contribution to the successful realization of the event. The strong response and interest confirmed the importance of such initiatives in strengthening knowledge exchange, collaboration and innovation.
ALLILON, the International Hellenic University and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote dialogue, research and collaboration in the fields of technology, economics and entrepreneurship, contributing to the development of a modern and dynamic knowledge and innovation ecosystem.
Event Program
PART 1: WELCOME ADDRESSES AND PANELS (18:00 – 19:40)
Welcome Addresses:
Kalliopi Kalampouka
Professor of Commercial Law at the International Hellenic University (IHU)
Grigoris Zarotiadis
Professor of Political Economy and Member of the Governing Council of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH),
President of ASECU, Director of ILABSEM, Member of the World Academy of Art and Science
Angelos Pangratis
Founder and Chairman of the Board of ALLILON, Former EU Ambassador to the World Trade Organization
Ioannis Vrailas
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Greece to the European Union
PANEL 1: “Reinventing Money in the Digital Age” (18:30 – 19:10)
“Reinventing Money in the Digital Age”
Moderator: Nikolaos Mavridis, MIT PhD, Academic & Consultant in AI / Data Science/ Robotics, Startup Mentor, Innovator
Thanasis Navrozoglou, CEO of Natech, Vice President and Co-Founder of snappi
Speech Topic: FinTech – What Will Control the Technology of Money in the Next 5 Years
Prof. Markos Zachariadis, Chair in Financial Technology (FinTech), Alliance Manchester Business School
Topic: Open Finance: How Data Portability Will Shape the Future of Banking and Payments
George Mamanis, Assistant Professor, International Hellenic University (IHU)
Topic: Cryptocurrencies as Digital Assets
PANEL 2: “FinTech Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and the Need for a New Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” (19:10 – 19:40)
“FinTech Innovation, AI and the Need for a New Entrepreneurial Ecosystem”
Moderator: George Kotrotsios, Former Vice President of Business Development at CSEM SA (Swiss Center for Technological Innovation)
Apostolos Tounas, Founder & Intelligence Strategist, Quantum Advisora – consulting firm in AI, Cybersecurity, Governance & Compliance and digital innovation
Topic: Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst in Modern Entrepreneurship, Economy and Society: From Fear to Implementation
Pascal Marmier, Managing Director, Unlimited Trust Campus
Topic: The Creation of a Leading FinTech Innovation Ecosystem in Switzerland
PART 2: GROUP MENTORING
Mentoring Group 1: “Reinventing Money in the Digital Age” (19:40 – 20:20)
Moderator: Nikolaos Mavridis, MIT PhD, Academic & Consultant in AI / Data Science/ Robotics, Startup Mentor, Innovator
Thanasis Navrozoglou – CEO of Natech, Vice President and Co-Founder of snappi
Prof. Markos Zachariadis – Chair in Financial Technology (FinTech), Alliance Manchester Business School
George Mamanis – Assistant Professor, International Hellenic University (IHU)
Mentoring Group 2: “FinTech Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and the Need for a New Entrepreneurial Ecosystem” (20:20 – 21:00)
Moderator:George Kotrotsios, Former Vice President of Business Development, CSEM SA (Swiss Center for Technological Innovation)
Apostolos Tounas – Founder & Intelligence Strategist, Quantum Advisora
Pascal Marmier – Managing Director, Unlimited Trust Campus
After the event:
Individual meetings between students and mentors may be arranged on a separate date, depending on the availability of both parties.
Please review the available mentors below and complete the event registration form.