Most parts of the world are not yet paying close attention to Greece. This can be a mistake. Famous for its amazing islands, the sun wet cities and deep historical roots, Greece quietly laying the basis of little expectation-a modern, flexible tech economy.
Although international light is often losing it, there is something real happening on earth, as this editor discovered in dozens of conversations in Athens this week. The country that once stood on the economic end of the economic end has not only re -nominated itself as an “innovation nation”. With a new sense of purpose, investors’ interest, and a new sense of purpose, it is transforming smart marketing into reality.
Indeed, I Sitting On Thursday night, with Greek Prime Minister Cariakos Matsootics, he made the matter for a tech crunch that Greece was not only gripped but was surprised. He acknowledged, “There is a significant scope for growing,” but “the stars are attached.”
This did not happen without effort. Mithosotakis explained that Greece had made a “conscious decision” to move beyond traditional economic powers like tourism and hospitality half a dozen years ago. “Tech can be 10 % of our economy,” he said. Drawing from his background in Venture Capital – he founded the first Incubator of Greece in 2001 – he spoke fluently that was often not heard from the heads of state.
Although Greece is arriving late in the European Tech Party, this time may be a benefit. Since it did not have a bad bet, Greece has surpassed some of the prices and failed projects that are weighing more solid environmental systems. With relatively Clean Clean Slate, the country is moving forward to take itself into positions – especially at the forefront of artificial intelligence.
Thanks to the AI, in fact, the Prime Minister sees the opportunity to move forward. “We want to use technology to jump,” he said. “Not only to catch up, but also to work better than many European countries.” He pointed to Greece’s success in digitalizing public services-saying that he had more than Germany’s more than Germany, and more than Microscopic.
This dual strategy for nurturing the government while modernizing the government is the backbone of Greece’s AI ambitions. Matsotics has considered Greece as a laboratory for innovation, especially in areas such as health, civil protection, and defense. “We’re not just talking about what the Startup community is doing. We are a client of technologies. And we want to get a start -up mentality as a government.”
Taxkarnch event
Berkeley, ca
|
June 5 June
An important component of this change is the skill. Greece is working to turn the brain drain, which saw thousands of skilled workers departed during the financial crisis. “There are tax breaks there – 50 % discount on income tax for seven years,” he said, but also acknowledged that “people will not return only for tax breaks. If they have a good job opportunity, they will come back, if they feel that they can give some rewards and they really can increase their business.”
For this purpose, in our conversation, we touched the recent Changes For Greece’s “Golden Visa” program, now grants residential permits to citizens of the third country that invest in the Greek National Startup Registry registered at least 250,000 in the Greek startup registered. We also talked about the two new programs introduced last year, designed to bring skilled foreign workers and businessmen into the country. (Although the last steps are still in the pipeline, it seems that they reflect the wider commitment to openness.) “This is a global war for capabilities.” “We need to return Greek capabilities or make it easier for people who can live anywhere to choose here.”
Matsotaks also emphasized the importance of expanding the tech beyond Athens, with thesalonic, Harchayon and other cities of the university emerged. “It should also be a story about regional development.”
Nevertheless, the Prime Minister acknowledged the ongoing challenges, including the pace of legal reforms, the need for a long -stage capital, and the complexities of doing business in the European market. But what they believe now offers Greece, unlike the depth of the crisis, prediction, stability and speed. “Is this country moving in the right direction?” He asked the rhetoric. “The answer is yes.”
For Matsotakis, the ultimate goal is to make Greece’s development “non -refundable”. Although the Legacy Building is not the focus of its attention, he said, Mithosotics and about 300 investors and founders who gathered for our sit-in-some of which have happily returned to Greece, London and anywhere else-they want to make sure that the country’s progress is accelerated.
“We can’t [perform] Milates says miracles. But I think we have broken the vicious cycle of the past, and I see technology as a great opportunity for both the private sector and the government.
You can catch our full interview with Matsotaks below.