Innovate in Greece by SEV |
Innovate in Greece by SEV |
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The $1.5 billion exit that saves 12 lives per day – Constantin Coussios Professor Constantin Coussios is Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation and holds the Chair of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oxford. He is the founder and CEO of the medical technology companies OrthoSon Ltd and OxSonics Ltd. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Academy of Medical Sciences in the UK, as well as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. In conversation with Marco Veremis, he discusses the “miracle” of biomedicine, how a simple idea can evolve into life-saving technology, and what the future of medicine holds. From Cambridge to Oxford, driven by a passion for biomedical science, he co-founded the medtech company OrganOx in 2008 together with transplant professor Peter Friend. Through their work, they radically transformed the field of organ transplantation by more than doubling organ preservation time under near-physiological conditions, increasing liver transplants by 35%, and today helping save up to 12 lives per day across four continents. As a result of its clinical and commercial success, OrganOx became in 2025 the largest exit in the thousand-year history of the University of Oxford, with an acquisition price exceeding $1.5 billion. He also speaks about universities as engines of entrepreneurship and how Europe can leverage its technological strengths in specific sectors. He sees immunoengineering as the field most likely to drive major medical breakthroughs and advises young entrepreneurs to practice “patience”, emphasizing that innovations which truly transform lives require deep expertise, rigorous validation, and time to deliver meaningful and optimistic outcomes. |
The $1.5 billion exit that saves 12 lives per day – Constantin Coussios Professor Constantin Coussios is Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation and holds the Chair of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oxford. He is the founder and CEO of the medical technology companies OrthoSon Ltd and OxSonics Ltd. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Academy of Medical Sciences in the UK, as well as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. In conversation with Marco Veremis, he discusses the “miracle” of biomedicine, how a simple idea can evolve into life-saving technology, and what the future of medicine holds. From Cambridge to Oxford, driven by a passion for biomedical science, he co-founded the medtech company OrganOx in 2008 together with transplant professor Peter Friend. Through their work, they radically transformed the field of organ transplantation by more than doubling organ preservation time under near-physiological conditions, increasing liver transplants by 35%, and today helping save up to 12 lives per day across four continents. As a result of its clinical and commercial success, OrganOx became in 2025 the largest exit in the thousand-year history of the University of Oxford, with an acquisition price exceeding $1.5 billion. He also speaks about universities as engines of entrepreneurship and how Europe can leverage its technological strengths in specific sectors. He sees immunoengineering as the field most likely to drive major medical breakthroughs and advises young entrepreneurs to practice “patience”, emphasizing that innovations which truly transform lives require deep expertise, rigorous validation, and time to deliver meaningful and optimistic outcomes. |
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| The Greek startup ecosystem closed 2025 with funding exceeding EUR 730 million, an increase of about 35% year-on-year, at a time when the European venture capital market remained subdued. The year 2026 is starting with most companies moving cautiously, postponing hiring and redesigning their investment plans. Read more at OT. |
The Greek startup ecosystem closed 2025 with funding exceeding EUR 730 million, an increase of about 35% year-on-year, at a time when the European venture capital market remained subdued. The year 2026 is starting with most companies moving cautiously, postponing hiring and redesigning their investment plans. Read more at OT. |
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ALTHEXIS, a company operating in the field of Digital Health, announced the completion of a EUR 400,000 funding round. The round was led by Corallia Ventures, with significant participation from Pablo Pinedo David and the Hellenic Business Angels Network (HeBAN). The investment will accelerate the commercial expansion of the Skincare Suite platform, a data-driven sales optimization solution. The solution was designed to help brick-and-mortar pharmacies compete with e-commerce. Aisera, the leading provider of agentic solutions for autonomous IT, has been acquired by Automation Anywhere, the leading provider of Agentic Process Automation (APA) and agentic solutions. The acquisition expands Automation Anywhere’s deep AI portfolio and expertise in automating mission-critical enterprise processes with Aisera’s industry-leading self-service agents for IT Service Management (ITSM), HR, and Customer Service. Epikast, a provider of technology-enabled commercial and clinical services for the biopharmaceutical industry, received an investment from Kos Biotechnology Partners. A syndicate of new and existing investors also participated in the round. The company intends to use the funds to further enhance its proprietary technology platform and the scaling of its specialized service teams. Optimems announced the completion of its first investment round, with TECS Capital and Helidoni Group participating as strategic investors. The investment will support the company’s commercial scaling, the further development of its technology, and Optimems’ international expansion into high-growth European markets. ORamaVR announced the successful close of a $ 4.5M seed funding round led by Big Pi Ventures and with additional capital provided by Evercurious VC, both Athens-based technology focused venture capital funds. The funds will be used to expand the company’s product development and sales efforts, providing XR training software to be used by manufacturers of medical devices and surgical robots. Wealthyhood, the investment app built for the next generation of investors, just closed a EUR 6 million funding round led by the Bank of Cyprus. This new funding is the fuel for a massive push across the rest of Europe and a serious upgrade to its AI capabilities. The goal is to make the investing experience feel less like a chore and more like a personalized, automated journey toward financial independence. |
ALTHEXIS, a company operating in the field of Digital Health, announced the completion of a EUR 400,000 funding round. The round was led by Corallia Ventures, with significant participation from Pablo Pinedo David and the Hellenic Business Angels Network (HeBAN). The investment will accelerate the commercial expansion of the Skincare Suite platform, a data-driven sales optimization solution. The solution was designed to help brick-and-mortar pharmacies compete with e-commerce. Aisera, the leading provider of agentic solutions for autonomous IT, has been acquired by Automation Anywhere, the leading provider of Agentic Process Automation (APA) and agentic solutions. The acquisition expands Automation Anywhere’s deep AI portfolio and expertise in automating mission-critical enterprise processes with Aisera’s industry-leading self-service agents for IT Service Management (ITSM), HR, and Customer Service. Epikast, a provider of technology-enabled commercial and clinical services for the biopharmaceutical industry, received an investment from Kos Biotechnology Partners. A syndicate of new and existing investors also participated in the round. The company intends to use the funds to further enhance its proprietary technology platform and the scaling of its specialized service teams. Optimems announced the completion of its first investment round, with TECS Capital and Helidoni Group participating as strategic investors. The investment will support the company’s commercial scaling, the further development of its technology, and Optimems’ international expansion into high-growth European markets. ORamaVR announced the successful close of a $ 4.5M seed funding round led by Big Pi Ventures and with additional capital provided by Evercurious VC, both Athens-based technology focused venture capital funds. The funds will be used to expand the company’s product development and sales efforts, providing XR training software to be used by manufacturers of medical devices and surgical robots. Wealthyhood, the investment app built for the next generation of investors, just closed a EUR 6 million funding round led by the Bank of Cyprus. This new funding is the fuel for a massive push across the rest of Europe and a serious upgrade to its AI capabilities. The goal is to make the investing experience feel less like a chore and more like a personalized, automated journey toward financial independence. |
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| The OpenAI Greek Accelerator was officially launched at the Athens Conservatoire, with government representatives, OpenAI executives, leading figures from the Greek innovation ecosystem, and the founders of the selected startups in attendance. The AI Greek Startup Accelerator received 240 applications, ultimately selecting 21 startup teams across 11 sectors, including healthtech, proptech, fintech, robotics, and defense tech. All participating companies are developing AI-native products, with artificial intelligence at the core of both their technology and business models. |
The OpenAI Greek Accelerator was officially launched at the Athens Conservatoire, with government representatives, OpenAI executives, leading figures from the Greek innovation ecosystem, and the founders of the selected startups in attendance. The AI Greek Startup Accelerator received 240 applications, ultimately selecting 21 startup teams across 11 sectors, including healthtech, proptech, fintech, robotics, and defense tech. All participating companies are developing AI-native products, with artificial intelligence at the core of both their technology and business models. |
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STARK Defence, the German manufacturer of unmanned defense systems, is establishing a regional office in Athens, positioning Greece as a key hub in its European strategy for the Mediterranean. The presence in the country is part of the company’s broader strategy to develop infrastructure across Europe and strengthen its role as a pan-European player in defense technology. |
STARK Defence, the German manufacturer of unmanned defense systems, is establishing a regional office in Athens, positioning Greece as a key hub in its European strategy for the Mediterranean. The presence in the country is part of the company’s broader strategy to develop infrastructure across Europe and strengthen its role as a pan-European player in defense technology. |
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| 75% of knowledge workers now use AI at work, but most companies still have no way to measure how well. Athens-based skills assessment platform Bryq has launched an AI Proficiency Assessment, the first practical test of real AI working ability. |
75% of knowledge workers now use AI at work, but most companies still have no way to measure how well. Athens-based skills assessment platform Bryq has launched an AI Proficiency Assessment, the first practical test of real AI working ability. |
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EYEONIX announces the establishment of its new Research, Innovation & Development Center of Excellence in Greece. At this center, Eyeonix will develop its solutions leveraging devices and technologies from Samsung Electronics Greece and Samsung SDS Europe. The initiative further strengthens the long-term collaboration between the organizations and aims to accelerate the development of secure, advanced, AI-powered digital solutions for complex and high-assurance operational environments. |
EYEONIX announces the establishment of its new Research, Innovation & Development Center of Excellence in Greece. At this center, Eyeonix will develop its solutions leveraging devices and technologies from Samsung Electronics Greece and Samsung SDS Europe. The initiative further strengthens the long-term collaboration between the organizations and aims to accelerate the development of secure, advanced, AI-powered digital solutions for complex and high-assurance operational environments. |
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| In a recent article at Το Βήμα της Κυριακής, Kyriakos Sabatakakis argues that Greece is at a critical turning point where it must move beyond technophobia and embrace strategic action to harness the transformative potential of technologies like generative AI for economic and productivity growth. He highlights how AI can accelerate productivity across sectors, while also warning that cultural resistance and skills gaps remain major barriers to adoption. Mr. Sabatakakis calls for coordinated efforts from business, government, and society to invest in talent, infrastructure, and a national strategy that can propel Greece into a more competitive and innovative future. |
In a recent article at Το Βήμα της Κυριακής, Kyriakos Sabatakakis argues that Greece is at a critical turning point where it must move beyond technophobia and embrace strategic action to harness the transformative potential of technologies like generative AI for economic and productivity growth. He highlights how AI can accelerate productivity across sectors, while also warning that cultural resistance and skills gaps remain major barriers to adoption. Mr. Sabatakakis calls for coordinated efforts from business, government, and society to invest in talent, infrastructure, and a national strategy that can propel Greece into a more competitive and innovative future. |
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Prisma Electronics, a Greek company based in Alexandroupoli secured a strategic investment from SPOROS Platform to support the commercial expansion of its nano-satellite MICE-1. Prisma Electronics develops next-generation solutions for managing critical maritime data, such as emissions, fuel consumption, maintenance needs, compliance, and safety. Signal Ocean announces the strategic acquisition of AXSMarine, a recognized leader in the maritime freight and commodities tracking space. The move reflects Signal's commitment to advancing technology, innovation, and collaboration across the global shipping ecosystem. |
Prisma Electronics, a Greek company based in Alexandroupoli secured a strategic investment from SPOROS Platform to support the commercial expansion of its nano-satellite MICE-1. Prisma Electronics develops next-generation solutions for managing critical maritime data, such as emissions, fuel consumption, maintenance needs, compliance, and safety. Signal Ocean announces the strategic acquisition of AXSMarine, a recognized leader in the maritime freight and commodities tracking space. The move reflects Signal's commitment to advancing technology, innovation, and collaboration across the global shipping ecosystem. |
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| Panayiotis Tsantilas is the CEO & Founder of Palowise, a leading AI-powered web & social media intelligence company headquartered in Athens. We met with Panagiotis to talk about his work and his personal journey. Here’s what he told us. |
Panayiotis Tsantilas is the CEO & Founder of Palowise, a leading AI-powered web & social media intelligence company headquartered in Athens. We met with Panagiotis to talk about his work and his personal journey. Here’s what he told us. |
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On May 13, from 16:00 to 18:00, SEV will host an event at its premises to present the “Practical Guide for Business Transformation with Artificial Intelligence.” Through a mix of presentations and live panel discussions, the event will highlight actionable steps, and best practices to support companies in their transition to an AI-first enterprise. |
On May 13, from 16:00 to 18:00, SEV will host an event at its premises to present the “Practical Guide for Business Transformation with Artificial Intelligence.” Through a mix of presentations and live panel discussions, the event will highlight actionable steps, and best practices to support companies in their transition to an AI-first enterprise. |
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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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