From 23 to 25 September 2026, the EPSI Annual Conference brought together sport innovation stakeholders, startups, investors, researchers and European project experts in Piraeus, Greece. Combining European funding opportunities, business development, project creation and shared sporting experiences, the event demonstrated how meaningful connections can turn ideas into concrete opportunities.
Day 1 — Building a stronger European sport innovation community
The conference opened with the EPSI General Assembly, where departments presented their achievements, development and future goals. The day also marked the signing of collaboration agreements with META Group, represented by Jan Debets; Arena Hub, represented by Ricardo Mazzucca; and OW Ventures, represented by Luis Felipe Gutman, laying the foundations for future project and business initiatives. These agreements reinforced EPSI’s commitment to connecting organisations and supporting collaboration across the sport innovation ecosystem.
The Greek Excellence and European Excellence sessions brought together institutional representatives, academics and innovation leaders, including Ioannis Vroutsis, Deputy Minister of Sports of Greece. Then, it was the turn of Olav Torp of NTNU – Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Nicolás Battaglia Díaz of ADESP and the SHIA project; and Donato Mancino of Multiverse Computing (EPSI Sponsor). Together, their contributions highlighted the importance of cooperation between sport, research, business and public institutions. For participants, the day offered valuable opportunities to exchange perspectives, discover potential synergies and build relationships within an intimate, collaborative environment.
Day 2 — Business, investment and experiences beyond the conference room
Day 2 took networking beyond traditional conference spaces with a business and investment boat cruise around Agistri and Aegina. The relaxed setting encouraged conversations throughout the journey, during lunch and between stops, allowing participants to connect naturally. The EPSI Innovation Competition gave six startups — Blocksport, Odiho, Bioloopers, Youtopia, EVRUC and Tyris Software — the opportunity to pitch their solutions, receive expert feedback and gain visibility among potential partners and business stakeholders.
The programme also featured the launch of Sports Master, presented by Georgia Papadopoulou of 28Digital, and a session on sustainability in sport with Leonardo Ghiraldini of NATIVA. But not only speaking: a reminder that physical activity is important was essential. This is why the EmpowerHer project led a session guided by Maria Mpaltzi, featuring exercises developed for breast cancer survivors and adaptable to different needs. Alongside the boat cruise and shared social experiences, these activities strengthened engagement and demonstrated how sport can connect business innovation with health, inclusion and well-being.
Day 3 — Connecting EU funding opportunities with project ideas
The final day focused on EU funding opportunities and project development. Kirill Dimanopoulos of EISMEA presented the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Programme, while Paolo Montemurro of MateraHub explored how sport can contribute to wider European funding priorities. Elena Ciarlo of ANCI Piemonte and Júlio Martins of EveryThink shared insights from the We-Bike project, and Jan Vincent Jordan of JV ConnectInn discussed funding opportunities for organisations working beyond traditional sport sectors. These sessions helped participants broaden their understanding of funding pathways and consider how to position future initiatives for European support.
The “Yes, I Can” exhibition, presented by Kateryna Biloruska and Paralympic champion Karolina Pelendritou, brought an important perspective on athlete experience and inclusion. Open pitching sessions then introduced ideas on AI-supported mental well-being, collaborative procurement for sports clusters, personalised healthy longevity, and sport and tourism. Through brokerage roundtables, participants explored potential partners and the foundations for new consortia and funding applications. The afternoon brought participants together through a Taekwondo workshop led by Matteo Barcellona, Official Trainer of the Italian Federation of Taekwondo (FITA). And finally, the day concluded with basketball on the official court of the AEK team, followed by a final dinner and celebration, combining practical project development with the shared sporting experiences that make the EPSI community distinctive.
What comes next?
The EPSI Annual Conference 2026 was designed to deliver more than networking. Participants left Piraeus with new contacts, funding insights, project ideas, potential partners and opportunities to explore. Its intimate, hands-on format encouraged genuine conversations through collaborative sessions and shared activities, without forcing networking into formal meeting slots. The result was a community experience that combined practical resources with relationships capable of supporting future innovation. A special thank you goes to our co-organisers at the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF), alongside Christina Tsiligkiri and the CJT Solutions team, for their invaluable support and collaboration in making the 2026 edition possible.
The next step is to turn these connections into action. EPSI will continue engaging with startups from the Innovation Competition and the wider network, helping them explore visibility, business development and partnership opportunities. Project ideas discussed during the pitching sessions and brokerage roundtables will also be followed up to identify interested partners, develop potential consortia and assess relevant funding opportunities. The collaboration agreements established in Piraeus provide another foundation for future initiatives across the European sport innovation ecosystem.
We connect. We innovate. We shape. We are EPSI!