Soft Landing Program I: Your Bridge to the EU Market

Greece as a Strategic Gateway
DATES
Dec 8, 2025
- Dec 13, 2025
LOCATION

Athens, Greece

ADMISSION

€2,300/ person

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Co-organizers
Auspices

Description

The Soft Landing Program offers a guided pathway for C-level executives from Asia and Africa to expand and scale their businesses within the European market. Designed and hosted by JOIST Innovation Park, this executive immersion connects participants with key institutions, innovation ecosystems, and compliance experts who understand the complexity of European expansion.

Through hands-on workshops, high-level meetings, strategic sessions, and ecosystem visits, participants will gain actionable insights into the European market. They will learn how to navigate Europe’s business culture, regulatory landscape, and legal framework with confidence. By engaging with leading organizations and funding bodies, participants will uncover opportunities that drive sustainable growth and lasting market presence.

The instructors, industry experts, and speakers of the Soft Landing Program are top-tier professionals and institutional representatives from Greece and across Europe. They are selected to offer direct access to market insights, partnerships, and collaboration opportunities that enable long-term success.

TARGET AUDIANCE

  • CEOs, COOs, CTOs, CSOs, and Heads of Expansion planning to enter or grow in Europe.
  • Leaders from established corporations, scale-ups, startups, and innovative ventures across Africa and Asia.
  • Executives seeking a reliable framework for European market entry, regulatory alignment, and funding access.

BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS

  • Understand the European market and competitive landscape.
  • Receive strategic and legal guidance to ensure compliance with EU and local regulations.
  • Access hands-on sessions with experts on EU partnerships and funding instruments.
  • Engage with European business leaders and private sector partners.
  • Build high-value connections with policy makers, innovation hubs, funding institutions, and accelerators.
  • Experience Greece as a strategic gateway to the European market.

PROGRAM DETAILS INCLUDED

✓ All workshops, panels, and networking events
✓ Local transportation to scheduled venues
✓ One main meal per day and selected coffee breaks

PROGRAM DETAILS NOT INCLUDED

✗ Accommodation
✗ Entrance fees for cultural visits

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications are open to C-level executives and senior leaders from eligible regions across Africa and Asia. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation message. Our coordination team will follow up with details about the next steps and your participation process.

Important: Places are limited. In the event of high demand, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, please contact the Program Manager, Katerina Diminikou, at kdiminikou@joistpark.eu.

Agenda

The Soft Landing Program is a curated five-day experience combining strategy, legal readiness, innovation access, and networking.

Day 1

| Understanding the European Market: Greece as a Strategic Gateway

  • Gain first-hand insight into Europe’s business environment through roundtables and keynote discussions with government and enterprise representatives.
  • Workshops on market intelligence and EU compliance, access to EU funding, and innovation programs
  • B2B meetings and networking.
  • Welcome dinner and reception.

Day 2

| Strategic Positioning in the European Market

  • Develop your go-to-market strategy for Europe.
  • In-depth workshop for strategic positioning in the European market, real-world case studies, and breakout sessions focused on segmentation, distribution channels, and export readiness.
  • Networking with market experts and B2B meetings.

Day 3

| Legal Framework, Regulatory Environment, and GDPR Compliance in the European Union

  • Understand EU legal frameworks, taxation, and licensing requirements.
  • Deep dive sessions on GDPR compliance, data protection, and cross-border regulations, with expert advisory meetings available for personalized guidance.
  • Optional legal mentoring sessions.
  • Stakeholder meetings and Q&A.

Day 4

| Understanding the European Collaboration System, Innovation Networks & Hubs, and EU Funding & Innovation Opportunities

  • Explore Europe’s innovation landscape and funding ecosystem.
  • Experts’ panel discussions and workshops on Horizon Europe, EIC, and Digital Europe programmes.
  • Debrief and action planning for the next steps in the EU innovation system.
  • Thematic roundtables and networking.
  • Visits to leading Greek innovation hubs, research centers, and incubators.
  • Innovation night event with local entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers.

Day 5

| Cultural and Networking Experience – Sightseeing

Enjoy a full-day guided experience through Athens’ historical and cultural landmarks, enhancing casual networking among participants and local professionals.

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