FORTH participated in the 87th Thessaloniki International Fair (September 9-17) at the stand of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (Ministry of Development and Investments).

On Sunday, September 10, 13.00-13.30 Dr. Kostas Vavekis, Director of PRAXI Network of FORTH, gave a talk about the protection of Intellectual Property in the Peripheral countries of Europe and the role of PRAXI Network.

Visitors had the opportunity to experience AugmenTable, the innovative, augmented reality interactive system, created by the Institute of Computer Science, which redefines the way we interact with printed documents, combining physical materials such as paper with digital information. By using touch, through content enrichment, projection of dynamic digital elements and appropriate lighting, a unique experience is created for the user, promoting, at the same time, collaboration and creativity. This innovative technology can be used in education, in advertising and marketing, in cultural spaces to explore historical and cultural information, in the context of professional presentations and many other activities that involve imagination and creativity.

FORTH also presented the PRAXI Network, its Technology Transfer Unit. Established in 1991, it has expanded its positioning in 5 major cities in Greece (Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Volos, Patras). PRAXI Network is dedicated to assisting researchers, research organizations and small and medium-sized Greek enterprises (SMEs) in their technology transfer and innovation-related endeavors. By linking research and industry, it promotes innovation and entrepreneurship not only in Greece but also abroad, through transnational cooperations. Alongside, it contributes to the design and implementation of national and regional policies, mechanisms and tools to support and finance innovation. Its activities follow the European standards, as it comprises a member of the European Technology Transfer Offices Circle, the coordinator of the Greek part of Enterprise Europe Network, the founder and facilitator of 4 technology oriented clusters, an official National Contact Point for Horizon Europe and the Greek leader for the activities of the UNESCO Chair on Futures Research.

Also, the Science and Technology Park of Crete presented its activities. STEP-C was founded in 1993 with the aim of promoting research, innovation and entrepreneurship. It occupies an area of approximately 4,000 sq.m. on the campus of FORTH, with more than 100 offices and laboratory spaces, in which innovative start-up and spin-off companies are incubated and supported. The main objectives of STEP-C include technology transfer and commercial exploitation of research outcomes; assessment and management of intellectual property rights; promotion and support of academic entrepreneurship; support of innovative start-ups hosted at the Incubator, and promotion of tailor-made training to students, researchers and business executives. STEP-C is a full member of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) and a founding member of the Greek and European EURAXESS Network of the European Commission.