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Startups in Athens: Innovation made with ROKOKO

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 while 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 has been 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 the Rokoko workplace!

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 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 have been 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 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.

Interview with BRF: an NGO for people on the move

How to Empower People on the Move

At Stone Soup we are happy to cowork with Boat Refugee Foundation. BRF assists and empowers people on the move or stuck in remote parts of Europe. Vicky, manager of the Athens program, talked to us about the ways the Netherlands-based NGO works.

BRF operates two programs in Greece. The one in Lesvos provides medical and psychosocial support. The one in Athens provides psychological support and group empowering activities to adult refugees & migrants, while it provides advocacy for a fairer asylum policy.

humanitarian company based in Stone Soup coworking; humanitarian team

BRF’s goal is to motivate, empower, inform and link people on the move. The team consists of a psychologist, a social worker and a volunteer mental health professional. It offers various forms of psychosocial support, helping service users to take control of their lives and claim their rights.

IS IT TABOO TO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE?

“Many BRF beneficiaries who come from different cultures and backgrounds are not familiar with western terms like “mental health”. By pointing out the importance of self-care we try to destigmatize the seek for support.  Therefore, we work together with the service users on the life skills and resources they could develop to cope with difficulties, to feel more empowered and to make the first steps towards personal recovery”

HELPING THE HELPERS!

We know that BRF trains members of other NGOs, since we’ve seen them organize training events in our officesAs Vicky explained, the aim is to introduce basic mental health and psychosocial concepts to also empower non-mental-health professionals operating in the field. In this light, we connect them with practices and resources that increase their awareness helping them approach relevant cases more effectively.

BRF team; our coworkers; collaboration for a good cause

HOW DOES COWORKING HELP?

Although we have a private office, we feel part of a bigger community with a variety of professionals around us. As a result, we both decompress while we connect with people from completely different areas. Observing their work and problem-solving routines can be of great support to us. It offers new ways to approach decisions concerning your own work and see things from a different angle”.