About Us
Networking and Matching
CGICC sits at the intersection of two innovation ecosystems — Greek research excellence and Chinese industrial scale.
Who Are We
CGIC facilitates the networking of businesses and research centers in Greece, China and Central and Eastern Europe.
Our Mission
The “Innovation Routes in China“ program
What We Do
We support Greek businesses looking to explore the Chinese market and Chinese businesses looking for Greek partners.
Our 6-D Process
01.
Discover
We map the innovation landscape on both sides — identifying Greek and Chinese enterprises, research institutions, and technology assets with genuine potential for cross-border collaboration.
02.
Define
Together with each participant, we clarify objectives, capabilities, and collaboration criteria — translating broad interest into a focused profile that guides the matching process.
03.
Design
We structure tailored matchmaking pathways — selecting the right formats, whether bilateral meetings, innovation tours, thematic workshops, or participation in our annual conference in Ningbo.
04.
Develop
Potential partners are introduced and supported through facilitated dialogue. We provide context, translation of priorities, and the institutional backing needed to move from first contact to serious engagement.
05.
Deploy
Collaborations are activated through concrete mechanisms — joint research agreements, technology transfer protocols, pilot projects, or co-participation in funding calls at national, EU, or bilateral level.
06.
Deliver
We monitor outcomes and support the consolidation of partnerships into lasting results — publications, products, ventures, or sustained institutional ties between China, Greece, and the broader CEEC region.
Why Choose Us?
As a jointly established center of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Ningbo University of Technology, we offer something no consultancy or trade body can replicate: direct institutional access on both sides, built on a formal bilateral agreement and active working relationships with universities, enterprises, and policy actors in Greece, China, and across Central and Eastern Europe. We do not facilitate introductions from a distance — we accompany partnerships from first contact to concrete outcomes.
From the moment you express interest, CGICC provides continuous guidance throughout the collaboration process. We help you prepare your profile, identify suitable counterparts, navigate cultural and institutional differences, and follow up on outcomes — so you are never left to manage a cross-border partnership alone.
We translate partnerships into action through structured formats: bilateral meetings, site visits, innovation tours, joint workshops, and participation in our flagship annual Innovation Cooperation Conference in Ningbo. Every step is coordinated by our team on both the Greek and Chinese sides to ensure smooth, efficient execution.
We help you identify the collaboration format that best fits your goals — whether that is a joint R&D project, a technology transfer agreement, a co-funded EU or bilateral program, or a market entry initiative. Our knowledge of funding schemes and cooperation instruments in both Greece and China ensures that partnerships are built on a realistic and strategically sound foundation.
Our team combines academic expertise, international research experience, and on-the-ground knowledge of both the Greek and Chinese innovation environments. With dedicated points of contact at AUTh in Thessaloniki and at Ningbo University of Technology, you always have someone who knows your file and can act on your behalf.
CGICC is not a new initiative — it grows out of years of active cooperation between AUTh and Ningbo University of Technology, supported by the China-CEEC Innovation Cooperation Research Center. We have already facilitated partnerships, co-authored research reports, and organized international exchange events, giving us a proven track record that our partners can rely on.
Collaborating through CGICC means your organization gains access to a curated network of Chinese and Central and Eastern European counterparts, to co-funding opportunities, and to visibility within a growing multilateral innovation ecosystem — with the credibility of two major universities standing behind every introduction we make.
September 2026 Event
International Innovation Conference & Innovation China Tour
Dates: September 8–12, 2026
Location: Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
Coverage: Accommodation, food and transportation within China by the organizers.
Flight tickets Thessaloniki–Ningbo by the participants.
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Partners
CGICC Partners
Would you like to consult with us?
You can use our application to Schedule a Consultation at an exact time for you and our colleagues.
You can also use the standard form to Get in Contact if you prefer to ask about our activities.