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Bridging Continents: Konstantinos Maragkos and Youthmakers Hub Empower the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Empowering a New Generation: How Youthmakers Hub is Connecting Africa and Greece to Drive Innovation, Digital Entrepreneurship, and Global Collaboration
From Africa to Greece, Youthmakers Hub is Creating Transcontinental Pathways for Innovation, Collaboration, and Digital-First Entrepreneurship
In a world increasingly defined by interconnected economies and digital innovation, Konstantinos Maragkos, Co-Founder and CEO of Youthmakers Hub, is redefining the way young entrepreneurs engage across continents. Speaking exclusively with CEOWORLD magazine, Maragkos shared his vision of sustainable social impact, cross-cultural collaboration, and the power of youth-driven innovation.
The journey of Youthmakers Hub began in 2018 with WE AfriHug, a project Maragkos co-created with his sister Marilena. The initiative brought them to nine African countries, training thousands of students, academic staff, and youth workers on Erasmus+ opportunities and capacity building. With more than 4,000 direct beneficiaries and 50 mobilities facilitated between Africa and Europe, the project highlighted the untapped potential of youth when given access to the right tools and mentorship. The success of WE AfriHug catalyzed the founding of Youthmakers Hub in 2019, with the mission of cultivating empowered youth and serving as a bridge between Europe and Africa.
“Founding Youthmakers Hub was our way of making sure the seeds we planted through WE AfriHug could grow into a lasting ecosystem that connects, empowers, and inspires young changemakers,” Maragkos explained.
Over the past six years, Youthmakers Hub has implemented more than 30 projects across 27 countries, reaching over 12,000 beneficiaries. The organization has observed a remarkable synergy between Greek and African entrepreneurs. While African youth exhibit immense drive in sectors like agriculture, digital innovation, and health, they often face challenges scaling their ventures. Meanwhile, Greek entrepreneurs possess strong academic and technical skills but are limited by a smaller domestic market. Structured transcontinental partnerships have proven mutually beneficial, offering mentorship, access to funding, and new markets for both sides.
Highlighting these successes, Maragkos cited initiatives such as AfriConEU, which established the first Transcontinental Networking Academy for Digital Innovation Hubs. The project facilitated knowledge exchange between African and European partners, winning international recognition, including the 2023 .eu Web Award and the 2024 SEADE Award. Projects like this illustrate the potential for Africa and Greece not only to innovate but also to co-create solutions with global impact.
Youthmakers Hub has also launched ambitious European initiatives. The nEU Citizenship project engaged Greek youth in civic participation, earning the SALTO Award in 2023, while EUth Voices for Social Change empowered marginalized youth through digital storytelling, winning the 2024 Charlemagne Youth Prize for Greece. Currently, the organization plays a leading role in the €7.3M AU–EU Youth Voices Lab, connecting youth and policymakers across 14 African countries and Europe.
Addressing the state of the global social enterprise ecosystem, Maragkos emphasized both its growth and challenges. While social entrepreneurship has expanded significantly over the past decade, sustainability remains a key hurdle. Many initiatives still rely heavily on grants or short-term funding. Maragkos underscores the importance of mentorship, market access, and structural support to transform social entrepreneurship from niche projects into integral components of the global economy.
Looking ahead, Youthmakers Hub is set to host the Africa–Greece Entrepreneurship (AGE) Summit on 17–18 October 2025 in Athens. Themed “Future-Proofing Entrepreneurship through Digitalization,” the summit will feature panel discussions, Power Talks, and hands-on workshops designed to foster collaboration and innovation. AGE aims to create opportunities for African entrepreneurs to access the EU market and for Greek and European entrepreneurs to explore Africa’s dynamic business environment.
“Our goal is to make AGE a gateway,” said Maragkos. “If even a handful of participants leave Athens with new collaborations, investments, or projects, we will consider it a success.”
Through initiatives like Youthmakers Hub and the upcoming AGE Summit, Konstantinos Maragkos is building more than networks—he is constructing bridges of opportunity, knowledge, and empowerment, ensuring that the next generation of entrepreneurs can thrive across borders.
