Innovate in Greece by SEV |
Innovate in Greece by SEV |
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Arthur Mensch: Europe needs to own its AI future Arthur Mensch is the CEO of the French artificial intelligence company Mistral AI, which, since its founding in 2023, has become the fastest-growing AI company in Europe. In his discussion with Marco Veremis, they explore the need for Europe to achieve its own autonomy in the field of artificial intelligence by developing its own models, grounded in its own values, and by leveraging the vast talent of its young scientists. Arthur Mensch speaks about science that produces real-world outcomes — a philosophy that defines Mistral AI, where research is directly connected to practical business applications. He also refers to Mistral AI’s open culture, with open models, transparency, and company-wide exposure to strategic decisions. Finally, he discusses how artificial intelligence is reshaping the skills required today, emphasizing that creativity will be the defining human contribution in the future — and that education must shift accordingly to cultivate it. |
Arthur Mensch: Europe needs to own its AI future Arthur Mensch is the CEO of the French artificial intelligence company Mistral AI, which, since its founding in 2023, has become the fastest-growing AI company in Europe. In his discussion with Marco Veremis, they explore the need for Europe to achieve its own autonomy in the field of artificial intelligence by developing its own models, grounded in its own values, and by leveraging the vast talent of its young scientists. Arthur Mensch speaks about science that produces real-world outcomes — a philosophy that defines Mistral AI, where research is directly connected to practical business applications. He also refers to Mistral AI’s open culture, with open models, transparency, and company-wide exposure to strategic decisions. Finally, he discusses how artificial intelligence is reshaping the skills required today, emphasizing that creativity will be the defining human contribution in the future — and that education must shift accordingly to cultivate it. |
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| According to the newest report from tech market intelligence company Innotechnics, the Balkan startup ecosystem has entered a new phase of maturity. Over the last decade, the total number of startups in the region tripled, reaching approximately 12,000 by 2025. However, growth in 2024–2025 has plateaued, signaling a possible shift toward quality growth and sustainability. |
According to the newest report from tech market intelligence company Innotechnics, the Balkan startup ecosystem has entered a new phase of maturity. Over the last decade, the total number of startups in the region tripled, reaching approximately 12,000 by 2025. However, growth in 2024–2025 has plateaued, signaling a possible shift toward quality growth and sustainability. |
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EdenCore secured EUR 900,000 in funding led by Uni.Fund, with participation from Loggerhead Ventures, AGROMA, and angel investors from Theti Club. The investment will support the expansion of EdenCore’s AI-enabled Viewer product, designed for advanced monitoring and crop protection, into new markets. HarborLab, the Greek digital platform that helps shipping companies manage their port expenses and Disbursement Accounts through artificial intelligence, announced its collaboration with Eastern Pacific Shipping, a large private shipping company based in Singapore. The Greek digital platform that helps shipping companies manage their port expenses and Disbursement Accounts through artificial intelligence. Mind The Hack announced the completion of a EUR 2.8 million investment round, which will accelerate the development of its cloud-based platform, strengthen its team with key hires in Europe and beyond, and expand its presence in strategic international markets, with a focus on the rapidly growing cybersecurity market in the Middle East. Phaistos Investment Fund has announced a co-investment in Natech, one of Greece’s most innovative fintech companies. Based in Greece and international markets, Natech has developed mobile-first banking solutions that enable financial institutions to offer their customers a seamless, fast and secure digital experience. Spotawheel has raised EUR 300 million in equity and debt financing from European investors, including a senior secured credit facility from Pollen Street Capital. This capital injection aims to fuel the company’s growth across Europe, particularly by expanding its used car subscription service. Terra Robotics has successfully raised nearly EUR 1.8 million in its latest funding round. The financing secures the company’s growth, supporting the commercialization of its breakthrough laser weeder technology and the implementation of its long-term vision: to make advanced technology accessible to all farmers, enabling a more sustainable, efficient, and scalable farming future. Theon International Plc announced the signing of a multi-year framework agreement with a European NATO member state for the supply of night vision goggles (NVGs) and the new IRIS-C thermal clip-on. The contract, worth a total of over EUR 300 million, covers both the supply of equipment and spare parts, has an initial duration of three years (2026–2028), and can be extended for several years from 2029 onwards. |
EdenCore secured EUR 900,000 in funding led by Uni.Fund, with participation from Loggerhead Ventures, AGROMA, and angel investors from Theti Club. The investment will support the expansion of EdenCore’s AI-enabled Viewer product, designed for advanced monitoring and crop protection, into new markets. HarborLab, the Greek digital platform that helps shipping companies manage their port expenses and Disbursement Accounts through artificial intelligence, announced its collaboration with Eastern Pacific Shipping, a large private shipping company based in Singapore. The Greek digital platform that helps shipping companies manage their port expenses and Disbursement Accounts through artificial intelligence. Mind The Hack announced the completion of a EUR 2.8 million investment round, which will accelerate the development of its cloud-based platform, strengthen its team with key hires in Europe and beyond, and expand its presence in strategic international markets, with a focus on the rapidly growing cybersecurity market in the Middle East. Phaistos Investment Fund has announced a co-investment in Natech, one of Greece’s most innovative fintech companies. Based in Greece and international markets, Natech has developed mobile-first banking solutions that enable financial institutions to offer their customers a seamless, fast and secure digital experience. Spotawheel has raised EUR 300 million in equity and debt financing from European investors, including a senior secured credit facility from Pollen Street Capital. This capital injection aims to fuel the company’s growth across Europe, particularly by expanding its used car subscription service. Terra Robotics has successfully raised nearly EUR 1.8 million in its latest funding round. The financing secures the company’s growth, supporting the commercialization of its breakthrough laser weeder technology and the implementation of its long-term vision: to make advanced technology accessible to all farmers, enabling a more sustainable, efficient, and scalable farming future. Theon International Plc announced the signing of a multi-year framework agreement with a European NATO member state for the supply of night vision goggles (NVGs) and the new IRIS-C thermal clip-on. The contract, worth a total of over EUR 300 million, covers both the supply of equipment and spare parts, has an initial duration of three years (2026–2028), and can be extended for several years from 2029 onwards. |
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| Greece is opening a new chapter in defense innovation, with domestic defense tech and dual-use technology companies no longer being isolated bright spots, but a compact, growing ecosystem that is claiming a role in the European defense industry. Read more at powergame.gr. |
Greece is opening a new chapter in defense innovation, with domestic defense tech and dual-use technology companies no longer being isolated bright spots, but a compact, growing ecosystem that is claiming a role in the European defense industry. Read more at powergame.gr. |
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Marathon VC released the 2025 Startup Compensation report which provides in-depth compensation and equity information for companies and professionals operating in the startup industry in Greece. You can download the report here. |
Marathon VC released the 2025 Startup Compensation report which provides in-depth compensation and equity information for companies and professionals operating in the startup industry in Greece. You can download the report here. |
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| Two new growth funds announced recently: a) EUR 175 million first close for Elikonos 3, a growth fund targeting Greek SMEs, and b) EUR 400 million for EOS capital aiming at green energy, transportations and telecommunications. |
Two new growth funds announced recently: a) EUR 175 million first close for Elikonos 3, a growth fund targeting Greek SMEs, and b) EUR 400 million for EOS capital aiming at green energy, transportations and telecommunications. |
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The broader field of health and pharmaceuticals, beyond the big deals and investments that characterize it, seems to offer, in recent years, many growth opportunities to companies originating from the startup ecosystem in Greece, specializing in related technological fields. Read more at newmoney.gr. |
The broader field of health and pharmaceuticals, beyond the big deals and investments that characterize it, seems to offer, in recent years, many growth opportunities to companies originating from the startup ecosystem in Greece, specializing in related technological fields. Read more at newmoney.gr. |
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| Partner at Big Pi Ventures Capital Marco Veremis shares his views that Greece, although it has been on the sidelines of technological innovation for years, is now showing signs of awakening. Read more at Fortune Greece. |
Partner at Big Pi Ventures Capital Marco Veremis shares his views that Greece, although it has been on the sidelines of technological innovation for years, is now showing signs of awakening. Read more at Fortune Greece. |
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Cepal announces the signing of a 51% stake agreement in the share capital of Finclude, a pioneering fintech company, which uses real banking transactions and open banking analytics to assess creditworthiness based on borrowers' actual financial behavior. EFA GROUP made a strategic investment in Realiscape, a Patras-based company specializing in advanced simulation and tactical data analysis systems for defense, security, industry, and shipping. The move is part of the strategy to strengthen the portfolio with innovative solutions that complement the Group's existing ecosystem and support Greek companies with high added value. |
Cepal announces the signing of a 51% stake agreement in the share capital of Finclude, a pioneering fintech company, which uses real banking transactions and open banking analytics to assess creditworthiness based on borrowers' actual financial behavior. EFA GROUP made a strategic investment in Realiscape, a Patras-based company specializing in advanced simulation and tactical data analysis systems for defense, security, industry, and shipping. The move is part of the strategy to strengthen the portfolio with innovative solutions that complement the Group's existing ecosystem and support Greek companies with high added value. |
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| Future brAIn is an AI-driven SaaS platform aimed at helping organisations measure, understand and improve their workplace culture, employee engagement, team dynamics and internal communications. We met with co-founders Elena Barla and Orsalia Michailidi to talk about their business and their personal journey. Here's what they told us. |
Future brAIn is an AI-driven SaaS platform aimed at helping organisations measure, understand and improve their workplace culture, employee engagement, team dynamics and internal communications. We met with co-founders Elena Barla and Orsalia Michailidi to talk about their business and their personal journey. Here's what they told us. |
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| On January 27, 2026, from 15:00 to 16:30, SEV will host the online event “Greece 2030: Reducing the Digital Divide, Building Competitiveness”. Through live panel discussions, the event will showcase initiatives, best practices, and policy proposals that contribute to addressing the challenges Greece faces on its path toward the objectives of the Digital Decade. |
On January 27, 2026, from 15:00 to 16:30, SEV will host the online event “Greece 2030: Reducing the Digital Divide, Building Competitiveness”. Through live panel discussions, the event will showcase initiatives, best practices, and policy proposals that contribute to addressing the challenges Greece faces on its path toward the objectives of the Digital Decade. |
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Interested in a job with a fast-growing Greek startup? Are you a Greek startup looking for the right people to hire? |
Interested in a job with a fast-growing Greek startup? Are you a Greek startup looking for the right people to hire? |
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Do you want to get involved in the Greek innovation ecosystem? |
Do you want to get involved in the Greek innovation ecosystem? |
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Tell us what you want us to cover in the next issue, and who to interview or invite to speak at one of our next events. Get in touch at info@innovativegreeks.gr Want to stop receiving emails from us? You can unsubscribe here. |
Tell us what you want us to cover in the next issue, and who to interview or invite to speak at one of our next events. Get in touch at info@innovativegreeks.gr Want to stop receiving emails from us? You can unsubscribe here. |
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