In Greece, his small business is becoming big, abetted by the sale of products that are completely similar to meat, but total veg. The adventure of Panagiotis Magoulas.
The Story
At just 26 years old, Panagiotis Magoulas has taken an amazing path, quickly becoming one of the most interesting entrepreneurs in the vegan scene in Greece. His story begins with a decision he made at night: after watching a YouTube video titled “101 Reasons to Go Vegan” by James Wildman, his perspective changed dramatically. Convinced by the logical argument and ethics presented, Panagiotis decides to eliminate all animal products from his refrigerator and embrace a new food philosophy.
With a determined spirit and a clear idea, he then decided to participate in the TV program Dragon's Den, where he told about his ambitious project: to open a completely vegan “butcher shop”. The concept struck a chord with the judges, who chose to invest in his innovative vision. Thus, the small store he envisioned, located in the neighborhood of Nea Ionia, turns into a real production laboratory, ready to launch healthy plant-based products on the market.
“OVegan269,” the name of his company, has a strong symbolic meaning. The number 269 refers to the size of a cow rescued by an activist group before being slaughtered in Israel, a number that has become emblematic of the vegan animal movement. And it is from this symbol that the company's logo draws its inspiration: a steak, but made with completely plant-based ingredients. “I did not become vegan because I detest meat; on the contrary. I became vegan for ethical reasons,", the young entrepreneur explained to Greek City Times, thus clarifying the motivations behind the choice to produce green ersatz.
The foods that Panagiotis offers in his store are thus designed to replace everything you might find in a traditional butcher store, but made from nuts, soy, legumes, and wheat proteins. On the menu are meatballs, roast-like skewers, vegetable strips, burgers, and plant-based ragu. A healthy, mouthwatering alternative that marries ethics and taste. However, the young man does not stop there: his goal is to bring these products to supermarket shelves and make them accessible through e-commerce. Not just a niche reality, then, but an expanding project that will keep firm the authenticity of the preparations and the family soul. Bravo Panagiotis!
