ETCEI 2026: Research, Technology and Industry Came Together in Ioannina
Empowering Europe’s Chips Ecosystem through Emerging Technologies
Ioannina | 22–23 October 2026
The Emerging Tech Conference – Edge Intelligence 2026 (ETCEI 2026) took place at the “Karolos Papoulias” Conference Center of the University of Ioannina, co-organized by the Hellenic Emerging Technologies Industry Association (HETiA) and the University of Ioannina, under the umbrella of the Hellenic Chips Competence Centre (HCCC).
The two-day event brought together the scientific and business communities, combining research presentations, technological developments, student innovation, career opportunities and networking.
ETCEI 2026 in Numbers
| 200+ participants | 118 students |
| 28 papers presentations | 6 scientific sessions |
| 15 posters | 4 keynote speeches |
| 2 round tables | 6 student / research teams |
| 4 companies at Career Day | 1 HCCC Side Event |
The conference was held within the framework of HCCC activities. HCCC is supported by the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) and its members and co-funded by the European Union and the Greek Government through the “Competitiveness” Programme.
Day 1 | Scientific Research and Student Innovation
The conference opened with welcome addresses by representatives of the co-organizers and HCCC. The focus was on connecting research and industry and on opportunities for collaboration within the Greek and European technology ecosystems.
The opening keynote was delivered by Professor Konstantinos Fountas, President of the CERN Council and Professor of Physics at the University of Ioannina, entitled “State of the Art Technology Developments at CERN.”
The scientific sessions highlighted research developments across four thematic areas: Mobile Intelligence, IoT & AI at the Edge; Microelectronic Devices, Circuits & Systems; Innovation Ecosystems & Technology Transfer; and Embedded Trust & System Resilience.
Student Teams Showcase the Technology of Tomorrow
In the “Meet the Teams Shaping Tomorrow’s Technology” session, six teams presented their activities and applications: Autonomous Systems Lab (ASL), 3D Printing Laboratory – CSD, Epirus XR Center – HCILAB, HEPHEASTUS, IEEE Student Branch UoI – Arta, and VCAS – VLSI Computer Architecture System. The session provided young scientists with a platform to showcase their work and interact directly with the research and business communities.
Career Day | Connecting Emerging Talent with Industry
The ETCEI 2026 Career Day powered by kariera.gr opened with a talk by Tom Katsioulas, CEO of Archon Design Solutions, Inc., entitled “From Student to Semiconductor Executive: A Career Journey.” His personal career journey gave students an insight into international career prospects in the semiconductor industry.
This was followed by the workshop “Beyond Your Degree: What Employers Look for in Emerging Tech Talent,” delivered by Nikos Syntakas of kariera.gr, focusing on the technical and professional skills sought by employers.
The panel discussion “Bridging the Tech Talent Gap: Skills, Expectations & Career Opportunities,” featuring representatives of Industrial Edge Engineering and KENOTOM and moderated by Juxhin Caca of kariera.gr, focused on labor market needs and the transition from studies to employment.
Argo Semiconductors, Industrial Edge Engineering (IEE), KENOTOM and NIKI Ltd presented their activities and took part in one-on-one career discussions with students and young professionals. This direct interaction was one of the most practical outcomes of the Career Day.
The first day concluded with a networking event that brought together speakers, researchers and business representatives. The Rector of the University of Ioannina also attended the event, underscoring through her presence the importance of the conference to the university community.
Day 2 | Advanced Research, Quantum Computing and AI
The second day opened with a keynote by Professor Robert Wille, Distinguished Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), on quantum computing, its design challenges and prospects for practical application.
The parallel sessions featured scientific papers on Edge AI, robotics, microelectronic systems, cybersecurity, technology transfer and the exploitation of research results.
The dedicated Poster Session featured work on 5G security, artificial intelligence at the network edge, energy harvesting and semiconductor technologies. The session format facilitated direct technical discussions among researchers.
Professor Gerry Tsoukalas, Deputy Dean for Human-Centered AI and Innovation at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, delivered the online talk “The Market Effects of AI: Open Questions for the Systems We Build,” adding an economic and organizational perspective on artificial intelligence.
HCCC Side Event | Silicon & GaN – From Technology to Market
The dedicated HCCC Side Event, “Silicon & GaN: Technologies, Manufacturing and Markets – From Fabrication Processes to Applications, Economics and Future Opportunities,” focused on the transition from research and development to manufacturing and commercialization. Moderated by Associate Professor Gregory Doumenis, the speakers were Dennis Xenos (Flexciton), Dr. George Konstantinidis (FORTH/IESL) and Dr. Paolo Fioravanti (Circuits Integrated Hellas).
The round-table discussion “From Technology to Market: What Does It Take to Scale Semiconductor Innovation?” brought together Dr. George Konstantinidis, Dr. Paolo Fioravanti, John Kikidis (HCCC) and Dr. Emmanuel Zervakis (HETiA), examining the path from design to prototypes, investment and the market.
These topics are linked to the priorities of Greece’s National Strategy for Semiconductors and Microelectronics 2026–2030, which was released for public consultation after the conference. The discussion highlighted the importance of strengthening Greek design and manufacturing capabilities, as well as connecting research and industry.
ETCEI 2026: Outcomes and Prospects
ETCEI 2026 combined scientific presentations, networking among research and business organizations, showcasing of student innovation and direct connections between young scientists and companies. Its value is reflected both in the content of the sessions and in the networking opportunities it created for the Greek and European technology ecosystems. HETiA and the University of Ioannina thank the speakers, partners, sponsors and participants.
Passing the Baton to ETCEI 2027 – Next Stop: Xanthi
ETCEI 2026 concluded with the announcement of the next edition, ETCEI 2027, which will take place in Xanthi in collaboration with Democritus University of Thrace.
The announcement was made in the presence of the ETCEI 2026 Conference Chairs, Konstantina Tsiapali and Professor Yiorgos Tsiatouhas; Dr. Emmanuel Zervakis, President of HETiA; and Professor Georgios Sirakoulis of Democritus University of Thrace.
The continuation of the conference series in Xanthi strengthens connections between academia, the research community and industry, while expanding the conference’s geographic reach across Greece.
HETiA and the University of Ioannina thank the speakers, the scientific committee, the student teams, the companies, the sponsors and all participants. More information and photographic material: https://conference.hetia.org/
