Innovate in Greece by SEV & Endeavor Greece

Spiros Magiatis and Nikos Moraitakis, WORKABLE: How two successful executives of a Greek scaleup became global entrepreneurs

Spiros Magiatis and Nikos Moraitakis, back in 2012, when they were UpStream executives, decided to start their own technology company, WORKABLE. Having understood the global competition in e-recruiting services, they created something special with the support of their former boss, Markos Veremis, who also acted as an angel investor. What followed, proves how technology and the “new digital order of things” allow anyone who works hard, is insightful, and adapts to constant change, is able to achieve their business dream. Spyros and Nikos refer to a critical point in their company’s path to success, which is not very well known. After two years in operation, one day before the 2015 referendum on staying in the euro, they rejected a 100 million acquisition offer. Watch the discussion and discover how and why they were vindicated against what seemed absurd in those hours.

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Wealthyhood secures a 525k GBP funding round led by Genesis Ventures to further develop their wealth-building fintech app.

FinTech Woli raises EUR 700k in seed round led by Sofia-based fund, Eleven Venture and distinguished Greek fintech entrepreneurs, to develop its smart money management app.

Ioannina-based company, Natech, and its partner Neptune International AG announced a strategic joint venture with Piraeus Bank to create an innovative, independent BankTech, focusing on consumer financial services.

The establishment of the GR Pioneer Venture Capital Mutual Fund (GRP Ventures) Investment Fund was completed. The new fund has an initial capital of 30 million euros with the vision of planning large-scale development investments in the agri-food sector.

Renowned Greek VCs were recently invited to the Special Permanent Committee on Research and Technology and presented their views for improving research commercialization and innovation in Greece. Featured in Hellenic Parliament's official magazine "Επί του ... Περιστυλίου" reports. The report includes a full video recording of the proceedings.

The startup ecosystem in Greece is growing and has been attracting more investments over recent years. EU-startups handpicks 10 promising early-stage (founded post-2017) startups.

According to a report from Found.ation and EIT Digital, over €500 million in funding was invested in over 70 startups in 2021. Of six exits, three were in the all-time top 10 list for value. Notably, Greece now lays claim to its first “unicorn” startups: PeopleCert, Blueground, and Viva Wallet. With The Greek government pledging €200 million for further startup activity, where is this all heading?

Find here the panel discussion about the record state of venture capital in Greece, which is fueling activity in life sciences, retail, and agritech.

Amid increased competition between investors to win deals, founders are scoring higher valuations and bigger cheques. They’re also getting more say in key decisions about the company using veto power and board seat appointments.

Read the full article from Sifted here.

Marco Veremis summarizes the state of affairs in the Greek innovation ecosystem. With an annual growth of 20%, Innovation is already the fastest growing sector in the Greek economy.

Read the full interview here.

International intellectual property experts Michael Tzannes and Dr. Dimitris Kouzelis discuss how a well-designed and properly implemented patent strategy underpins startup success.

Find the full video here.

Flexfin is an independent financial institution offering financing and cash flow management services via a modern and user-friendly platform. Read our interview with Alex Kelaiditis, co-founder and executive director, here.

The 8th Innovation Ready workshop on "Customer Experience is planned for Wednesday 25 May 2022, from 16:30 until 18:15.

Save the date as more information will follow soon. Organized by SEV.

Interested in a job with a fast-growing Greek startup? Are you a Greek startup looking for the right people to hire?

Check WorkInTech.gr

Do you want to get involved in the Greek innovation ecosystem?

Join Innovative Greeks

Tell us what you want us to cover in the next issue, who to interview or invite to speak in one of our next events. Get in touch at info@innovativegreeks.gr

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