Tag Archive for: business

Startups in Athens: Innovation made with ROKOKO

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Rokoko start up working from stone soup coworking

Have you ever wondered how your favorite video game or animated film feels so life-like and fluid? It’s probably thanks to motion capture technology — and Rokoko who are leading the charge.

We’re thrilled to have had Rokoko’s as part of Stone Soup Coworking for the past five years. A whilst back, we sat down with Petros, Administrative Director of Rokoko’s Greek branch, to learn more about their cutting-edge work, what it’s like to be part of a growing tech startup, and how they’re building a creative community from right here in the heart of Athens.

motion capture equipment, Rokoko start up.

Making Motion Digital: Rokoko’s Mocap Technology

Motion capture (or mocap) is the art of translating human movement into digital data — used in game development, film, animation, and more. Rokoko has made this high-end tech accessible with products like the Smartsuit Pro and Smartgloves, paired with their intuitive Studio software.

Unlike traditional motion capture systems that require optical cameras and special point markers, Rokoko’s gear uses small embedded sensors. This means creators can work anywhere, without expensive equipment or studio setups. The result? Hyperreal, dynamic animations — all captured with ease.

A Danish Startup Grows Roots in Athens

Rokoko may be headquartered in Copenhagen, but its tech support and development hub is thriving right here in Athens. What started in 2015 as a casual freelance collaboration with a Greek developer soon grew into something much bigger.

“The team went from five people to a village,” Petros laughs. By 2020, Rokoko officially launched its Greek branch, and the team hasn’t stopped growing since.

For young professionals, working in a tech startup in Athens like Rokoko offers a unique blend of challenge and creativity. “It’s fast-paced but relaxed,” says Petros. “There’s freedom, ownership, and a strong sense of collaboration — even across cultures.” Danish flat hierarchies meet Greek spontaneity in a workplace where ideas and innovation thrive.

Empowering Independent Creators

One of Rokoko’s biggest missions is to democratize access to powerful animation tools. By removing the need for camera setups and reducing costs, they’ve opened the door for independent creators — who now make up over 80% of their customer base.

The Smartsuit Pro II, launched in 2022, took this even further, offering full-body, hand, and facial capture in one portable setup. Rokoko’s tools are already used by artists like Shutter Authority and even feature in music videos by Lil Nas X — all part of the ever-growing #madewithrokoko movement.

Want to see it in action? Check out this incredible VFX clip created using Rokoko gear.

Community-Driven Innovation

From game devs to animators and digital artists, Rokoko is fostering a powerful community. Through platforms like Discord and social media, creators connect, share tips, and even compete in online contests. Using just the hashtag #madewithrokoko, artists can showcase their work and even win gear bundles in Rokoko’s annual giveaways.

“Community is everything,” says Petros. “It’s where we see innovation take shape — when creators inspire each other.”

What’s Next for Rokoko in Athens?

Their Athens tech hub, based at Stone Soup coworking space, has been a bridge between startups, universities, and creators.

They’ve been partnering with educational institutions over the years, offering students real-world experience through research projects — with some work even making its way into commercial products. With more public demos, workshops, and product launches on the horizon, we’re glad to have seen Rokoko continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital creation.

One of their latest products – the Coil Pro is also on the market! The Coil Pro uses EMF and IMU sensor data to deliver optical-grade 360° positioning. It ensures seamless synchronisation between your physical movements and virtual actions. Pretty cool hey?

Want to Join a Coworking Space Like Rokoko?

If you’re a freelancer, remote worker, or entrepreneur looking to grow your own vision alongside inspiring teams like Rokoko, Stone Soup might be your next stop. Our coworking space in Athens is home to a growing number of local and international startups !

Looking for a private office in Athens? Come meet your future neighbors.

Zoe Fragou: Redefining Workplace Wellbeing and Culture

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What it means to be an organisational psychologist today


When we asked Zoe what she’s up to at Stone Soup, she opened up and shared the diverse roles an organisational psychologist plays. Her focus includes corporate training, team building, psychometric tests, and especially programs around culture change in the direction of equity, diversity, inclusion, and mental health. Now, her work has grown way beyond that.

Zoe Fragou is the founder of Fragoulous Minds, which she described as more of an ecosystem than a company. “Half the people I work with are artists,” she said, because apart from training, they also produce comics, videos, podcasts, and are even working on a board game about personal development. “Everyone expected me to write a book,” she laughed, “but I said, no—not yet. Let’s make a board game instead.”

Are people happy to be at work?

Zoe pointed out that workplace wellbeing, mental health, and inclusion are finally on the agenda for more and more businesses. But not all of them get it—some just want to “tick the box.” Still, she sees a shift, especially thanks to Gen Z. “They have boundaries,” she said. “They’ll just say, ‘this isn’t for me,’ and leave. And that’s pushed companies to change, because they can’t keep people anymore unless they do better.

The impact of this type of work is measured with tools like pre- and post-intervention tests, retention rates, absenteeism, and how emotionally committed people are to their workplace. There are many ways to measure progress and the wellbeing of workers, but she stressed the importance of asking the simple question:  “Are people happy to be at work?” That feeling matters.

Zoe Fragou giving a talk on inclusion, diversity and mental health.

Zoe’s favorite sessions are the ones that focus on promoting inclusion, especially “because a lot of non-inclusive behavior comes from lack of awareness, not bad intentions.” Also, a growth mindset—helping people believe they can change, no matter where they’re starting from.

The trend she’s not a fan of? Resilience. Not because resilience is bad, but because too many companies use it as an excuse. “They say, ‘You’re not resilient enough,’ instead of taking responsibility for the toxic environment they’re creating,” she said. “It shouldn’t just fall on the employee.”

At the heart of Zoe’s work is the idea that empowerment isn’t a buzzword—it’s a mindset, and one that needs the right environment to grow.

Zoe Fragou's podcast which explores wellbeing, ethical change, inclusion, diversity and mental health.

Being Part of a Coworking Space 

For the team, choosing a private office within a coworking space was a conscious decision. A place like Stone Soup offers the best of both worlds—the privacy of your own space, along with the chance to connect with others and meet people working on a variety of projects.

When it comes to professional circles, Zoe pointed out an unexpected alignment, “I would say it sounds weird, but we vibe more with tech people and marketing people and not so much with people from the mental health sector, although that’s who we are technically, but the way we approach business is closer to tech companies and media companies.” 

Check out Fragoulous Minds work and projects here

From Bristol to Athens: iCOMAT’s Journey in Aerospace and Automotive Technology

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Whether you’re an avid F1 enthusiast or a casual observer, chances are you’ve been mesmerized by the speed and precision of these incredible machines. But have you ever wondered about who is behind such engineering brilliance? We spoke with Giorgos Stamatopoulos, a structural analyst at iCOMAT since 2022, to explore the story of one of Athens’ top funded startup’s and its groundbreaking work in aerospace and automotive technology.

The Spark That Ignited Innovation

It all began in 2017 when Evangelos Zympeloudis, then a postgraduate student in Bristol, envisioned a transformative future for composite manufacturing. Collaborating with his supervisor, he patented a technology that manipulates carbon fibers with precision, steering them without creating defects. This invention laid the foundation for iCOMAT, a company confident to redefine the possibilities of composite materials.

Starting modestly with a small UK team and just one employee in Greece, iCOMAT’s workforce has steadily grown. Giorgos himself was the second team member in Greece, and now the local team is rapidly expanding to keep pace with the company’s growth.

icomat employee working with new state-of-the art technology.

Collaborating with Titans

As Giorgos explains, iCOMAT serves a diverse clientele, ranging from aerospace giants to luxury automotive brands. Their expertise has contributed to components for rockets, satellites, and high-performance cars, including the elusive world of Formula 1. While Giorgos remains tight-lipped about specifics, he hints at exclusive visits to the headquarters of a certain top-tier F1 team. For those outside the field, the impact of iCOMAT’s work boils down to three game-changing benefits: enhanced performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability.

Image with examples of which industries iCOMAT work with: Aerospace, automotive and space.

A Startup Backed by Visionary Investors

Innovation attracts attention, and iCOMAT is no exception. With a staggering €20.13 million in funding, the company ranks 7th among Greece’s top-funded startups according to the Venture Financing Report 2024-2025, Startups in Greece 2024–2025. Velocity Partners, one of their earliest investors, has supported them every step of the way, helping them transform their vision into reality.

The big news? iCOMAT will take its expertise to the next level by producing its designs in-house as they’ve opened their first factory in Gloucester. When asked why the UK was chosen over Greece, Giorgos explained that the complexity of their cutting-edge technology demands specialized knowledge that is currently more accessible in the UK.

A Home at Stone Soup

In Athens, iCOMAT enjoys the collaborative environment of a private office at Stone Soup. Beyond the facilities, they value the dedicated support from Olga and Giorgos, who are always ready to tackle challenges and celebrate milestones. Stone Soup’s community events are a highlight for Giorgos, who fondly recalls the monthly Meet and Drink. An event that aims to bring members together to share ideas and successes.

As the company continues to push boundaries in composite technology, their journey from a university lab in Bristol to global recognition is nothing short of inspiring. With innovation at its core and a team of passionate professionals steering the wheel, iCOMAT is the startup shaping the future of aerospace and automotive technology and engineering—one fiber at a time!

iCOMAT team working at Stone Soup

Unfolding Data Stories with Cogni.zone

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Transforming Data for Better Insights

Cognizone, a semantic technology consulting firm based in Brussels, has spent the last decade transforming complex data into clear, interconnected systems and graphs. Their work allows organizations to maximise the data potential through their better understanding, connecting, and utilisation. As a data-startup innovating with Greek tax authorities they are leveraging semantic technology to streamline public sector processes.

At Stone Soup, we had the pleasure of catching up with Dimitrios Perperidis and the Greek team from Cognizone (CZ) to hear about their latest achievements since joining Stone Soup in 2023.

Data-Startup Innovating with Greek Tax Authorities

Cognizone marked its entry into Greece through a groundbreaking collaboration with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR, or AADE). This project harnesses linked open data and semantic web technologies to create a state-of-the-art application ecosystem designed to support IAPR’s legislative and regulatory processes. The system revolutionizes navigation and understanding of Greece’s intricate fiscal and taxation legal framework, setting a new benchmark for clarity and efficiency in legal and regulatory management.

The team innovating with Greek Tax Authorities

Improving Workforce Mobility with the ESCO Classification

The company works with high-profile clients like the DG-Employment, ETF, European Parliament, EC Publications Office and the governments of Luxembourg and Switzerland. Another one of their important projects is the ESCO classification for the European Union’s DG Employment. This classification standardizes job roles and skills across EU member states, aiming to support greater job mobility across the continent. It’s an essential and innovative tool for harmonizing labour markets, making it easier for workers to move and for employers to find the talent they need.

A Startup That Cannot Fail

Dimitrios explained to us, “If we mess up the data, an entire mission critical platform or EU website could go down.” This highlights the level of responsibility and precision Cognizone delivers—ensuring that the data they manage is not just correct but flawlessly integrated into the larger ecosystem.

In fact, what Cognizone does is unique—not just in Greece but across Europe. There’s no other company in the EU quite like them, especially in the legislative sector where the stakes are so high.

Find out more about what they do here.