The Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) will participate in the 89th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), taking place September 6–14, 2025, with a strong and multifaceted presence that highlights its leading role in research, innovation, and technology transfer.

FORTH will contribute eight presentations in panel discussions and showcase a wide range of innovative research exhibits at Pavilion 7, within the Ministry of Development’s area, at the stand of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI).

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

In parallel, on Saturday, September 6, the Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou, and the President of FORTH, Prof. Vassilis Charmandaris, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at ensuring universal accessibility of citizens to digital public services.

The signing ceremony will take place during a special event hosted at Pavilion 12 of the Ministry, with the participation of Mr. Akis Skertsos, Minister of the State, responsible for the coordination of Government policies, Mr. Thodoris Livanios, Minister of the Interior, and Mr. Giannis Kefalogiannis, Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of the Hellenic Republic.

Programme of FORTH Presentations

Sunday, September 7

• 12:20–12:40
  Artificial Intelligence Technologies at the Institute of Computer Science of FORTH
  Prof. Panagiotis Tsakalidis, Deputy Director, ICS-FORTH, & Head of the Signal Processing Laboratory
• 13:40–14:00
  Spin-offs – Best Practices and Challenges
  Dr. Kostas Vavekis, Technical Manager, PRAXI Network / FORTH

Monday, September 8

• 18:00–18:30
  Reneurocell Therapeutics: A Spin-off Targeting the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries
  Prof. Ioannis Charalampopoulos, Affiliated Faculty Member, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, FORTH

Wednesday, September 10

• 19:30–20:00
  Improving Air Quality Using Advanced Materials
  Dr. Vassilis Binas, Assistant Professor, AUTH & Affiliated Faculty Member, Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, FORTH

Thursday, September 11

• 18:30–19:00
  Low-cost Sensors for Food Packaging
  Dr. Vassilis Binas, Assistant Professor, AUTH & Affiliated Faculty Member, Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, FORTH

Saturday, September 13

• 11:30–12:00
  The Science and Technology Park of Crete as a Hub of Innovation and a Driver of Regional Development
  Dr. George Papamichail, Director, Science and Technology Park of Crete, FORTH
• 18:30–19:00
  PRAXI Network – National Contact Point for Horizon Europe: Services and Success Stories
  Vagia Piteli, Technology Transfer Consultant, PRAXI Network / FORTH
• 19:30–20:00
  Transdisciplinary Art–Science Collaboration as a Catalyst for Innovation
  Androniki Papaterpou, National Contact Point for Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society and New European Bauhaus, Research and Innovation in Horizon Europe, PRAXI Network / FORTH

FORTH Exhibits

Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB)

FORTH will present cutting-edge research and applications in biotechnology, medicine, and public health, including:

• Biological-origin insecticides for sustainable control of harmful insects (e.g., olive fruit fly, mosquito vectors), using microorganisms and parasitoid arthropods.
• Advanced research on neurological and neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system injuries, including advanced human cell models, drug discovery platforms, implants, targeted therapies, and miniaturized medical robots for minimally invasive brain treatment.

• Reneurocell, a FORTH spin-off company developing therapies for spinal cord injuries.

• A rapid, low-cost Salmonella detection method using gold nanoparticles that change color, requiring no specialized equipment, ideal for on-site testing.

• A portable 3D-printed pathogenic insect detection device, delivering immediate results without specialized equipment or DNA extraction. Diagnostic kits for the Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) have been developed in collaboration with FORTH spin-off BIOPIX-T.

• The Hellenic Network of Molecular Oncology (EDIMO), coordinated by FORTH, supporting precision medicine through nationwide collaboration among research centers, universities, and hospitals.

Institute of Computer Science (ICS)

ICS-FORTH will showcase advanced digital and AI-driven solutions, including:

• Cretan Security Operations Center (C-SOC): an AI-enabled cybersecurity hub detecting early signs of cyberattacks through a large-scale network telescope.
• Smart water management tools transforming sensor and satellite data into actionable insights for ecosystem protection, agriculture, industry, and public health: SmartWater, real-time detection of leaks and anomalies, and OrbitalMosaic, a cloud-based observatory for lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
• 
• Smart Cities App-store, providing citizens and local authorities with access to smart city services, dashboards, environmental monitoring, alerts, and participatory tools.

• XR Emergency Incident Manager, a mixed-reality platform supporting crisis management, real-time data visualization, multi-user collaboration, and decision-making for emergencies.

Institute of Astrophysics & Skinakas Observatory

Visitors will also be introduced to the activities of the Institute of Astrophysics of FORTH and the Skinakas Observatory, featuring new telescopes, international collaborations, and expansion into radio astronomy, quantum communications, and space technologies.

Innovation & Technology Transfer

At FORTH’s booth, visitors will also learn about:

• PRAXI Network, FORTH’s Technology Transfer Unit, supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and research–industry collaboration at national and European levels.
• Science and Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C), which connects research with industry, supports start-ups and technology-driven companies, and offers both physical and virtual incubation services.