Faye Orfanou

Open Innovation & Technology Transfer Executive | Innovation Ecosystem Builder | Research Commercialization | Strategic Partnerships | Deep Tech | Enabling people to innovate || Boosting people potential for growth ☂️

Greece

About

I work at the intersection of learning, mentoring, and innovation, supporting people and organizations where responsibility, coordination, and decision-making are complex. My work focuses on turning complexity into structured, effective and ethical action — through action-based learning, realistic scenarios, and individual consultations. I specialize in helping teams, leaders, and innovators move from intention to ownership, especially in environments shaped by change, uncertainty, and high expectations. I value clarity, realism, and integrity over inspiration. My approach combines care for people with a firm expectation that they act, decide, and take responsibility for outcomes. As a global citizen, I have significant international exposure through various projects and have gained working experience in five languages: English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian.

Experience

  • Science 2 Business (3 yrs 10 mos)
    • Managing Partner & Co-Founder
      Aug 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 11 mos

      Science 2 Business is an organization which supports the integration and exploitation of Science into Business activity offers. We accelerate tech-transfer deals, we empower Spin-Offs and sciencepreneurs, we provide capacity building for research commercialization & tech transfer, we empower science-based innovation and we promote and connect scientists with impactful scientific work. Our vision is to become a catalyst in the challenging, transformational process from Science-to-Business.

    • Initiator - Designer
      Sep 2022 - Jul 2023 · 11 mos

      Testing out various models, focus groups & potential beneficiaries feedback, agile development The proof of concept was the “Sci-2-Biz initiative” under AELIAlab (www.aelialabs.com). Within that initiative, AELIAlab ran (a) the “EmPower” Initiative at @NCSR Demokritos, (b) SpinOff acceleration services for @NTUA TTO.

  • Advisor to Greek Government on Technology Transfer (TT) - Member of Sectoral Board for TT and IP at Ministry of Development and Research, Greece
    Nov 2020 - Present · 5 yrs 8 mos

    Member of the National Sectoral Board for Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property, appointed by Deputy Minister for Research - Within my role, I was the lead Designer and Negotiator for new legislation on Spin Offs in Greece *Press Publication about appointment: https://www.mindev.gov.gr/%ce%bc%ce%b5-%ce%b1%cf%80%cf%8c%cf%86%ce%b1%cf%83%ce%b7-%cf%84%ce%bf%cf%85-%cf%85%cf%86%cf%85%cf%80%ce%bf%cf%85%cf%81%ce%b3%ce%bf%cf%8d-%ce%b1%ce%bd%ce%ac%cf%80%cf%84%cf%85%ce%be%ce%b7%cf%82/

  • Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer Advisor at innovmater
    Apr 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

  • AELIA (Athens, Attiki, Greece)
    • Managing Partner - Lead L&D Designer - Trainer - Mentor - Facilitator
      Feb 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

      AELIA is a Learning and Development agency offering out transformational Learning & Development. It has developed its own people development approach which is (a) Adaptive, (b) On the job and (c) Action-based and has created its own proprietary methods and L&D activities.

    • Managing Partner & Co-Founder - L&D Designer - Trainer- Mentor - Facilitator
      2013 - Feb 2024 · 11 yrs 2 mos

      AELIA started in 2013 as a social venture for employability empowerment and evolved in 2024 into a professional services provider. -Trainer and designer of more than 350 workshops (soft skills, professional development, innovation development); -Mentor to more than 180 beneficiaries within 11 years

  • Attorney At Law - Legal Advisor for SpinOffs, IP and Tech Transfer transactions at Athens Bar - Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος Αθηνών
    Oct 1997 - Present · 28 yrs 9 mos

    Since 2012 I provide specialized legal support to complex IP & tech transfer transactions, to SpinOff companies and in general to tech transfer & innovation management activities. From 1997 to 2009 (ie until I was appointed Secretary Special in the Ministry of Education) I have worked as an Attorney-at-law & Legal Advisor initally for 12 years in various roles both within Law Firms, as Inhouse Counsel in companies & at a public organization as well as a freelance professional.