Anastasis Stamatis is a green tech entrepreneur, merging his technology, engineering, and advocacy expertise to create impactful solutions for climate change. He is the co-founder and CEO of Dataphoria, an impact-driven startup helping cities and businesses harness ESG data for sustainable decision-making. He has served as the 2021-2022 Curator for the Global Shapers Athens Hub, a World Economic Forum initiative, and he is a founding member of "Let’s Do It Greece," successfully rallying 1% of the nation's population for environmental action. Anastasis has been trained as a Climate Reality Leader by VP Al Gore and designated as an EU Climate Pact Ambassador, remaining steadfast in his commitment to a sustainable future. We met with Stamatis to discuss his journey with Dataphoria. Here’s what he told us:

Tell us a few things about Dataphoria. How did it all start and how did you discover the market opportunity for your solution?

Dataphoria started as a natural progression of what my cofounder & company’s COO Fenya Sourla and I had been working towards for years. We both have backgrounds in environmental studies and data science, and we were active in volunteer efforts like Let’s Do It Greece, mobilizing 100.000 volunteers to act for the environment in a single day. We developed a passion for sustainability and in 2021, after realizing we wanted more out of our careers, we started thinking about how data could play a critical role in driving sustainability.

We saw the upcoming ESG megatrend and knew there was a gap—companies would soon need to measure and communicate their impact but often lacked the tools and knowledge to do it effectively. That’s when we started Dataphoria, with the aim of turning raw sustainability data into something clear and actionable. We’ve built an Analytics-as-a-Service platform that simplifies ESG data collection, analysis, and visualization, focusing on meaningful, personalized analytics that enable businesses to truly understand and enhance their environmental and social impact.

How do you differentiate from other similar offers in the market? What value does Dataphoria bring to the customers and partners?

We help companies get real value from their ESG data. Many solutions in the market focus on basic compliance and reporting, and that’s great and covers an imminent need. Our solution comes on top of that, gathering the data from any corporate system, including data that other ESG tools generate, and transforming it into something deeper, meaningful, and tailored specifically to the needs of each organization.

Through Analytics-as-a-Service we provide clear, actionable insights beyond compliance. We help companies understand their real ESG-driven impact and make strategic decisions based on those insights. For businesses that genuinely want to see meaningful results, Dataphoria turns complex sustainability data into a strategic asset. We’re here for those who are serious about using ESG not just as a reporting tool, but as a way to drive growth and create real, lasting impact.

What would you consider to have been (or are) your biggest challenge so far?

Applying a new technology in an emerging and constantly changing market while simultaneously educating clients on its value, what’s more to ask in a challenge? ESG is very typically in a startup territory as everything is still shifting all the time. We’re not only providing the technology but also helping companies understand why it matters and how it can transform their business.

For example, for ESG-conscious industrial companies, there’s a real competitive advantage to be gained, particularly in the Western world where ESG criteria are becoming a key part of supply chain decisions. As sustainability and ethical standards grow in importance, companies that embrace ESG can differentiate themselves in global markets. This not only helps them secure contracts but also strengthens their position when competing with manufacturers in regions where environmental and social regulations may not be as stringent. By prioritizing ESG, businesses can stay ahead of shifting market expectations and position themselves for long-term success.

What are the biggest learnings from your journey so far?

The biggest lesson from our journey so far is the importance of acting for impact. From day one, we’ve focused on how we can drive real change through our work, not just build another tech product. It’s about using technology as a key value driver, always with the goal of creating something meaningful for both businesses and the planet. For us, that’s what sets us apart—it's how we find our “tribe,” whether it’s clients, employees, partners, or investors.

Another major takeaway is the value of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the support systems around it. Being part of a broader network of innovators, mentors, and accelerators has been crucial for our growth. It’s not just about having a great idea—leveraging the ecosystem has allowed us to grow, test, and refine Dataphoria into what it is today. There’s no substitute for being part of that community.