Ilias Saltiel is the co-founder and Director of Athens Makerspace, a non-profit makerspace founded in 2016. He grew up in Athens and studied Mechanical Engineering (BEng) at the University of Edinburgh, later worked in Bulgaria as a supervisor on photovoltaic park foundations for a project led by Aktor S.A. Inspired by a visit to the HackSpace in London and further research into the international Maker Movement, he set out to bring the democratization of tools and fabrication technology to Athens.
In the winter of 2015 he took part in the “Entrepreneurship in Action” seminar and competition at the University of Athens, placing second, and shortly after founded Athens Makerspace with an educational vision and a social mission. Under his leadership, Athens Makerspace has grown into a hands-on hub for both traditional and digital fabrication — 3D printing, laser cutting, woodworking, electronics, CNC, and more — with a particular focus on turning plastic waste into useful products through its Precious Plastic Lab. Ilias brings a practical, collaborative approach to making — bridging design, fabrication, and circular economy principles — and is always open to new partnerships that push sustainable making forward.