For the second year running, SEKEE (Association of Innovative Applications Enterprises of Greece) took an active part, as co-organiser, in the 13th Technology Forum, Northern Greece’s leading technology, innovation and entrepreneurship event, held on Friday 22 May 2026 at Warehouse D of the Port of Thessaloniki (“Frida Liappa” hall), in cooperation with TechSaloniki.
This year’s Technology Forum, titled “Share IT 2grow”, focused on critical topics such as the era of AI agents, technology transfer from the lab to the market, innovation ecosystems and funding opportunities through the European Innovation Council (EIC). With speakers and panellists from leading organisations — including Salesforce, ARUP, PwC, CERTH, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the University of Macedonia and many more — the event showcased Thessaloniki’s momentum as an innovation hub with international reach.
SEKEE’s presence at the Technology Forum is part of the Association’s strategy to strengthen the international outreach and networking of its members at national and regional level. Through co-organising the event, SEKEE gives its members access to a rich network of research institutions, industry bodies, investors and policymakers — creating opportunities for new partnerships, participation in European funding programmes and joint technology-transfer initiatives.
At the same time, participation in the Forum strengthens SEKEE’s ties with Thessaloniki and Northern Greece — a region with a particularly dynamic ecosystem of universities, research centres and technology companies. With members in Athens, Thessaloniki and across Greece, SEKEE is committed to acting as a bridge between the two hubs and contributing to a single, dynamic national innovation ecosystem.
SEKEE was represented by its President, Manos Macromallis, and its Vice President, George Markatatos, who took an active part in the Forum.
SEKEE President Manos Macromallis said: “Our participation in the Technology Forum for a second year is not a formality — it is strategic. Connecting with the universities, research centres and businesses of Thessaloniki opens doors that cannot be opened from a distance. We want our members to have access to technology-transfer opportunities, European funding instruments and a broad network of partners. Strengthening the ecosystem does not happen only in capital cities — it happens wherever there is talent, research and real momentum. Thessaloniki has all three.”
SEKEE Vice President George Markatatos stressed: “Every year the Technology Forum proves that innovation in Greece is not an isolated effort — it is the result of collaboration between academia, industry and public institutions. For SEKEE, this connection is a key priority. At events like this, our members find real opportunities: from pilot projects and R&D partnerships to networking with EIC funding bodies. That is the role of a modern industry association — to bring the right people to the same table.”
In addition to SEKEE and TechSaloniki, the co-organisers of the 13th Technology Forum include the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Region of Central Macedonia, CERTH, the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation, Alexander Innovation Zone, the University of Macedonia, the University of Western Macedonia, the International Hellenic University, SETPE, HELEXPO, JOIST Innovation Park and dozens of other organisations and institutions.
More information about the Technology Forum: https://technology-forum.eu
This is an English translation of the original Greek text. In case of any discrepancy, the original Greek text prevails.