My dear friend and colleague, Gregory Kontos, founder of GreekAncestry, was honored by Forbes magazine as one of “30 Under 30” entrepreneurs in Greece. This award brings me great joy. I have been friends with Gregory for over ten years and have watched him work with diligence and integrity to create GreekAncestry and guide it to its premier place in the genealogy community.

This is Greg’s announcement of his award:

I was extremely honored to be included in Greece’s Forbes Under 30 List released yesterday morning.

This is not an honor for myself only, but for the entire field of Greek genealogy, which is finally recognized as innovative and influential! We at Greek Ancestry will continue to serve our community and pursue our mission for high-standard genealogy research and access to genealogical data.

The official ceremony is to take place at the Athens Concert Hall on November 25 with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Here is an English translation of the text in the article:

DIGITAL GENEALOGY – Greek Ancestry
“Gregory Kontos, with studies in migration history and a passion for Greek heritage, transforms forgotten archival traces of the past into a vibrant, global digital experience of exploring our genealogical history.

He began at the age of 15 by mapping his own family tree and, at 24, founded Greek Ancestry, the first Greek genealogical research platform that reconnects Greeks from every corner of the world with their roots.

Until recently, genealogical research in Greece was nearly impossible, as historical records were fragmented and inaccessible. In just five years, Greek Ancestry has radically changed the landscape: through pioneering collaborations with the General State Archives, the University of Athens, metropolises, and local communities, it digitizes centuries-old genealogical records — from civil registrations and church registers to family archives from across Greece. The result is a constantly growing database of more than 8 million ancestral names, spanning from the 18th century to today, and accessible worldwide.

From uncovering the ancestors of Jennifer Aniston and George Stephanopoulos for American television programs to documenting the history of Asia Minor refugees, Greek Ancestry modernizes and deepens Greek genealogy, revealing small, everyday, yet often astonishing stories of the past.

More than just a service, the platform is a global bridge “with roots”, reconnecting millions of Greeks of the diaspora with their history—using technology to preserve and showcase our cultural heritage for generations to come.”

Congratulations, Greg! Wishing you continued success as you advance the mission of Greek Ancestry, build its database of records, and help people connect with their Greek ancestral history!