From Startup Speed to Platform Scale | Panathēnea 2026

What does it take to grow from an ambitious startup into a global platform? At Panathēnea 2026, Duncan Clark, Head of Europe at Canva, joins Mike Butcher, Founding Partner at Pathfounders, for a conversation on scaling technology companies, building enduring products, and navigating the journey from startup to global success. As startups grow, maintaining speed while operating at scale becomes one of the biggest challenges founders face. Drawing on Canva's remarkable growth into one of the world's leading design platforms, Clark shares lessons on product-led growth, international expansion, team building, and creating a company culture that continues to innovate as the business matures. Together, Clark and Butcher explore the decisions that define high-growth companies, the role of AI in the next generation of software, and what founders need to prioritize as they transition from building products to building platforms used by millions. Whether you're a founder, investor, operator, product leader, or technology enthusiast, this session offers valuable insights into scaling companies without losing the agility that made them successful in the first place. Panathēnea is an international festival bringing together founders, investors, scientists, artists, and innovators to explore the future of technology, entrepreneurship, and culture in Athens. The 2026 edition welcomed more than 11,500 participants from over 60 countries.