At the Institute for Mediterranean Studies (IMS) in Rethymno, Crete, Nasos Argyriou presented key applications of satellite-based remote sensing focusing on shallow submerged cultural sites and transition zones. Transition zones present unique remote sensing challenges due to the complex interaction between water depth, sun-glint, scattering, and bottom reflectance. To overcome these environmental variables, Satellite Derived Bathymetry (SDB) leverages multi-source datasets from sensors like Pleiades, PlanetScope, and Sentinel. These high-resolution models are benchmarked and validated against traditional ground truth sources, such as RTK-GNSS, Total Station, Sonar, and EMODnet datasets, ensuring precise mapping of seabed topography, submerged shipwrecks, and marine habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds. A critical application of this methodology lies in coastal dynamics and temporal monitoring. For instance, a time-series analysis (1945–2022) conducted at the Stomio area near Ierapetra revealed significant coastline retreat over a submerged cultural heritage site. Additional case studies across Chrisi Island, Koufonisi Island, and Lambayanna highlight the effectiveness of geoinformatics for estimating Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) and tracking long-term coastal changes. Beyond cultural heritage, these satellite applications extend to marine biology and fisheries management. Studies in Cyprus demonstrate how remote sensing assists in tracking habitat preferences and reproductive cycles of invasive species such as Lagocephalus sceleratus. Overall, ongoing advancements in satellite image resolution continue to elevate the precision of shallow-water bathymetry, making geoinformatics an indispensable tool for coastal protection and underwater heritage management. The webinar attracted a large audience of researchers and entrepreneurs with a significant number remaining engaged throughout the entire session, demonstrating the high level of interest and relevance of the topics covered. The webinar featured presentations from leading experts, providing valuable insights and practical guidance on protecting intellectual property. Key topics included:

– A foundational overview of patents, industrial designs, and trade secrets.
– Strategies for transitioning academic research into successful commercial ventures.
– Practical examples of business acceleration and experiential learning for researchers.
– An examination of relevant entrepreneurship policies for startups and spin-offs.
– Essential guidance on strategic design and branding for startups, incorporating intellectual property considerations.
– A discussion of the unique ethical and intellectual property challenges within artificial intelligence applications.

The strong attendance and high engagement levels throughout the webinar underscore the critical need for information and resources on intellectual property protection for startups.