ATHENS, Greece – 4th May 2026 – Pinion has formally announced a strategic partnership with the Hellenic Federation of Esports, establishing a new international pathway designed to connect student-athletes with educational, athletic, and professional opportunities worldwide.
The partnership follows a series of meetings and events in Athens, including Pinion’s participation in the inaugural Hellenic Esports Summit, where Pinion leadership was hosted by the federation and introduced to government officials, business leaders, and members of Greece’s growing esports ecosystem.
The Hellenic Federation of Esports, led by President Vangelis Kastanias, operates with meaningful institutional and political support in Greece and has become a central force in shaping the country’s esports infrastructure and athlete development initiatives. Its decision to partner with Pinion reflects a shared commitment to building structured opportunities for young talent beyond competition alone.
Pinion’s platform was built on a simple premise: talent exists everywhere, but access and exposure do not. By connecting athletes across sports, genders, and backgrounds to colleges, internships, scholarships, and career opportunities, the company aims to remove barriers that have historically limited access to global pathways.
“This partnership aligns directly with Pinion’s vision: to become a global pathway for student-athletes across every sport, every gender, and every background,” said Scott Spinelli, Founder of Pinion. “Vangelis and the Hellenic Federation share that mission, and the political and community support behind esports in Greece makes this an exceptional partner to build with.”
To build Pinion, Spinelli worked with successful entrepreneur Brian Allain, founder of Choice Insurance Group.
The announcement in Greece also follows Spinelli’s time engaging directly with local athletes and families. During the visit, he conducted a basketball clinic for young players. He later presented to parents on the academic, athletic, and career opportunities available through international exposure and athlete development platforms.
“This partnership reflects exactly how we believe esports should evolve—not only as competition, but as a pathway to education, personal development, scholarships, and professional opportunity,” said a spokesperson for the Hellenic Federation of Esports. “Scott Spinelli’s visit to Athens and his participation at the 1st Esports Summit showed our students that esports can open real doors beyond the game itself. Through Pinion, Greek esports athletes can become visible to universities, coaches, and companies around the world while building transferable skills that strengthen both their academic and professional futures.”
Thomas Karampetsios, Athletic Director at Amyntas BC, former consultant to the Hellenic Olympic Basketball Committee, and father of a Division I basketball player in the United States, described the Athens visit as a firsthand example of Pinion’s broader vision in action.
“Having watched Coach Spinelli in multiple roles, as a head coach, assistant coach, clinician, and now CEO, he is one of the most effective teachers of the game I have seen,” said Karampetsios. “What stood out most was seeing him address distinguished government officials and business leaders at the Hellenic event, then transition directly into working with young athletes at a basketball clinic and later presenting to parents. I think he was in four different outfits in one day! The consistency of his energy, communication, and purpose throughout the event was remarkable.”
The partnership represents an important milestone in Pinion’s continued international expansion. It marks the first in a series of federation-level relationships currently under development as the company continues to build a global ecosystem for student-athlete advancement.
Pictured
Vangelis Kastanias – President of Hellenic Esports Federation
Gina Adamopoulou – Vice Governor of the Region of Attica
Sofia Voultepsi – Member of the Greek Parliament, former Minister and the first ever woman to be governmental spokesperson.
Ioannis Konstantatos – Mayor at the Municipality of Argiroupolis – Ellinikon
Scott Spinelli – Founder of Pinion
Press Contact
Scott Spinelli
Pinion
scott@pinionup.com