The Region presents the largest technological event on the island with dozens of activities, speeches, exhibitors and international participations
With great satisfaction and optimism, the Region of Crete presents this year's organization of InnoDays, the Innovation Days that are now one of the most important institutions on the island. As emphasized by the Governor of Crete, Stavros Arnaoutakis, the organization is carried out by the Region's Innovative Entrepreneurship Observatory, strengthening its role in the steps towards the necessary technological and productive transformation of businesses, through the connection of knowledge with the production of products and services.
Mr. Arnaoutakis underlined that InnoDays contribute substantially to the formation of a sustainable and extroverted development model, which utilizes the island's comparative advantages, young entrepreneurship, scientific knowledge, cultural identity and gastronomic tradition. The three-day event includes an exhibition of innovative products and services, speeches, presentations and innovation competitions, with the participation of renowned scientists and professionals.
For her part, the General Director of Development Planning of the Region of Crete, Chrysa Daskalaki, presented the impressive participation figures of this year's event: 190 exhibitors, over 120 pavilions and dozens of workshops, businesses, organizations, student and student groups. The conference part will feature over 90 speeches and presentations, while 22 experts will participate in four major panels on artificial intelligence, personalized medicine, nutritional culture and youth entrepreneurship.
A special place in the program is occupied by the new robotics module, with 14 specialized workshops for children, adolescents and teachers. At the same time, an innovation marathon is being organized with 21 teams and 70 participants, while the established Innovative Entrepreneurship Awards will be awarded in four categories. The participation of eight Greek funds, which will be available for meetings through SciMatch, is also important. Already, 100 trainees have registered for the large artificial intelligence seminar.
The Innovation Advisor of the Region of Crete, Antonis Papaderakis, emphasized that the organization itself constitutes an innovation, as it is implemented exclusively by the services of the Region, without external organizers — something that, as he said, proves that the public sector can play a leading role in pioneering actions. As he explained, with the third organization, the initial goal is achieved: highlighting the dynamics of the innovation ecosystem and strengthening the connection between research institutions and businesses, so that knowledge is transferred to production, creating high-value-added products and jobs for young scientists.
This year's recognition of the institution is confirmed by the participation of other Regions of Greece: the Region of Attica, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, as well as the Region of Catalonia - the World Food Region 2026 - will have their own pavilion at InnoDays. As Mr. Papaderakis said, the institution is "spreading its wings" to the rest of Greece and abroad.
InnoDays is fully funded by the Regional Development Program of the Region of Crete, participation is free, while for another year the KTEL offers free transportation of visitors to and from the exhibition. In 2022, visits reached 5,000, in 2023 6,000, and this year the organizers estimate that the number of visitors will increase even more.
source: Cretalive