Astylab, Idea Machines and Astylab Ventures: who does what
Διάβασε στα ελληνικά → https://www.astylab.gr/blog/poios-kanei-ti.
People often ask us whether Astylab and Idea Machines are the same thing, who runs Astylab Founders, or whether Astylab invests in startups. The answers are simple, but we’d never written them down in one place. Here they are.
Astylab
Astylab is a non-profit organisation based in Athens, Greece. It connects people, ideas and resources to make Greek cities better. It was founded by Adam Markakis.
Many people in Greece work on better cities, but mostly alone. We bring them together. In 2025 our community had more than 1,400 active members and 120 partner organisations.
Take Back the City: a newsletter on cities, housing, mobility and public space, read across Greece, plus open meetups under the same name.
Plan A: an action plan for what Athens could look like.
Astylab Founders: our programme for new founders (more below).
When we say "Μηχανή Ιδεών" (idea machine), we mean this network, not the company Idea Machines.
Idea Machines
Idea Machines is a venture builder in Athens. It builds new companies with their founders, from first idea to growth. It is a separate company from Astylab, founded by Adam Markakis and Eirini Chouvarda.
It helps founders test whether an idea is worth building, builds the company alongside them, and supports companies that are already running. On the last Friday of every month it opens its studio, near Panepistimio metro, to anyone who wants to bring an idea. → ideamachines.gr
Astylab Ventures
Astylab Ventures is an angel syndicate: a group of investors backing early-stage startups that build solutions for cities. It is not a fund, and it is separate from Astylab. It has invested €1.05M across 5 startups. → astylabventures.com
How they connect: Astylab Founders
Astylab Founders is an 8-week, full-time, in-person programme in Athens. You don’t need an idea or a team to apply. It shows how we work together:
Astylab owns the programme and brings the community.
Idea Machines designs and runs it, with a team that works alongside participants every day.
The Helidoni Foundation funds it. Teams that choose steward-ownership can apply for up to €100,000.
Stewards brings the governance and ownership frameworks.
In 2025, 136 people applied and 8 were selected. Four new ventures launched, and three more are still in progress. Althyna, which prevents falls among older people at home, secured €100,000 from the Helidoni Foundation. The second cohort runs from 21 September to 13 November 2026. → astylab.gr/founders
Frequently asked questions
Are Astylab and Idea Machines the same?
No. Astylab is a non-profit. Idea Machines is a company. They work together on Astylab Founders.
Does Astylab invest in startups?
No. Astylab Ventures does, as a separate structure.
I want to start something but don’t have an idea yet. Where do I go?
Astylab Founders. Sign up to hear when applications open for the next cohort.
I already have an idea or a team and want a partner to build it with.
Talk to Idea Machines.
I’m looking for investors for a startup that improves cities.
Talk to Astylab Ventures.
How can my organisation work with Astylab?
Write to info@astylab.gr.
