PlaisioBots: The Race 3.0

When it comes to inspiring kids in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship, few events in Greece compare to the PlaisioBots competition. 

Organized by Plaisio Computers, one of the country’s leading electronics retailers, this national competition mixes robotics, business, and creativity into a platform that gives kids the tools - and the confidence - to solve real-world problems.

The 2025 competition, held on January 4, set a new milestone not just for the students, but also for Makerlab, which played a key role in preparing many of the teams. With 21 out of the 35 total competing teams trained under Makerlab’s guidance, it’s fair to say that our involvement helped shape much of this year’s success.

What is PlaisioBots?

PlaisioBots isn’t just a robotics contest. It’s a six-month innovation accelerator for students aged 12 to 18. Participants are selected via a screening process, and receive training from selected robotics labs which guide them through online lessons, lab sessions, and the development of a business plan to prepare them for the competition.

The event ends with teams pitching their technical and commercial ideas to a panel of judges. It’s a mix of science fair and startup pitch - and for many kids, it’s their first real taste of building something meaningful from the ground up.

Makerlab’s Impact

Makerlab’s contribution went beyond just coaching. Over the course of six months, our educators mentored 21 teams, who in turn went on to win 60% of the competition’s awards.

This performance came thanks to eight dedicated Makerlab educators who coordinated training sessions both online and in-person. Sundays became lab days, while the rest of the week was spent working in online classes with students from across the country. The logistics weren’t easy, especially for students based in remote areas, but the commitment paid off.

Panagiotis Theocharis, founder of Makerlab, is contemplating extending the six months training to a full year, as he believes this would make a big difference.

"Giving the kids a full academic year to train would allow for a more consistent, less stressful development. They’d have time to really explore ideas and grow as a team, not just race toward a deadline," he explains.

A Mission That Matters

At its heart, PlaisioBots is about more than robotics - it’s about giving kids the space to believe in their ideas and the skills to turn them into something real. It gives them access to resources to build robots and learn new skills, and it prepares them for a future in STEM.

Makerlab is honored to have played a role in this year’s PlaisioBots. We see it not just as a contest, but as a step towards building a future of education where creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship is given the attention it deserves. 

Sharing the Stories

To celebrate the achievements of the PlaisioBots teams, we’ll be publishing a series of short features on selected projects. Each will include a video and a short write-up, released over the coming months. Keep an eye on our social media channels and website for more!