The ACS Athens Institute proudly relaunched the Mentor Program for the ACS Athens OPEN initiative on October 4th, assembling a diverse group of mentors dedicated to guiding students in entrepreneurial thinking and real-world problem-solving. Once again this year, the Mentor Kick-Off event set an ambitious tone for the academic year, aiming to empower students to transform their ideas into projects that foster conscious global citizenship. Through mentorship, students will be encouraged to identify pressing challenges, develop actionable solutions, and initiate projects that create a positive, lasting impact within our community and beyond.

ACS Athens OPEN is an innovation and entrepreneurship simulation program designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders through practical, hands-on experience. By replicating a professional innovation environment, the program enables students to move beyond idea generation and pitching, offering them the unique opportunity to realize their concepts starting within our school. This safe yet challenging platform introduces students to the complete cycle of building a product from the ground up, instilling the skill to transition projects from concept to reality—an invaluable asset in today’s marketplace. Through this program, students also develop essential competencies in problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Reflecting on the program’s impact, returning mentor Aref Boualwan expressed:

“Guiding young, creative minds as they turn innovative ideas into tangible projects is truly special. These students bring fresh perspectives and unfiltered passion to issues that matter. Their dreams and dedication inspire me every day.”

The Kick-Off event also received enthusiastic responses from other mentors, who eagerly anticipate building upon last year’s achievements. Returning mentor Kostas Kefalakis highlighted the impressive progress made by last year’s cohort, noting their success in developing “professional-grade” pitches. He expressed excitement for the new program phase, where these projects will evolve toward prototyping.

This year’s program includes five returning teams, who will continue refining last year’s projects, and ten new teams embarking on fresh initiatives. The addition of new mentors and fresh student teams is set to bring a wider diversity of thought and creativity, further enriching the ACS Athens OPEN experience. Together, mentors and students will collaborate on ventures that embody the values of responsible citizenship and forward-thinking innovation, setting the stage for transformative impact.

The ACS Athens Institute would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the mentors of the 2024-25 academic year for their dedication, expertise, and enthusiasm in guiding the next generation of thinkers and innovators. Should you also wish to join as a mentor, please fill out this form.

Here’s to a year of mentorship, growth, and lasting impact at ACS Athens!