Entrepreneurship
Greece currently ranks as one of the least productive economies in the European Union, with one of the highest rates of micro-enterprises (less than 5 employees). In parallel, some of the largest sectors of the economy are low value-add (like agriculture and tourism). To maintain high levels of economic growth, Greece needs to redefine its relationship with entrepreneurship. Over the past decade, the sector has grown significantly with investments growing by more than 10x and the first unicorns (companies valued at greater than $1Bn) making an appearance. Yet, for the growth to continue the country needs to:
Improve entrepreneurship education and perception
Spur more innovation in universities, research centers, and the private sector
Attract more top-tier talent
In parallel, the country needs to explore opportunities to become a regional entrepreneurship hub, taking advantage of its high quality of life, membership in the European Union, and strategic geopolitical location.
Deon Entrepreneurship Projects
EXECUTED
Introducing new Research Fellowships
Researchers and professors with full-time positions abroad cannot currently lead research projects in Greece’s public institutions, limiting the country’s ability to attract talent and new technologies. We collaborated with stakeholders to create a fellowship that sponsors researchers, helping to reverse the brain drain and bring top scientists back to Greece. Not only does this fellowship attract cutting-edge knowledge and technology, but it also supports research teams hiring, positioning Greece as a potential world-class research hub.
EXECUTED
Attracting Global Top-Tier Talent
Since the crisis, Greece's economy has become one of the fastest-growing in Europe, with a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem, expanding research and development, and growing exports, all fueled by skilled and motivated talent. With increased economic openness, Greece is now well-positioned to attract high-caliber individuals worldwide to drive innovation —whether for startups, high-growth companies, research, or non-profits. To support this, Deon Policy Institute together with Endeavor, and with the support of Zepos Yannopoulos, proposed a streamlined visa process for graduates of the top 100 universities, allowing them to move to Greece without needing a job offer. In April 2024, the Ministry of Migration announced that it plans to introduce this visa.
IN-PROGRESS
Streamlining Technology Transfer
Greece’s research ecosystem is not well connected with industry, resulting in the commercialization of very few inventions. As part of broader education reforms, the country revamped technology transfer offices at universities and research centers. However, these new initiatives still lack the tools to turn research into commercial products. Deon Policy Institute is creating a guidebook to help Greek universities improve their technology transfer efforts, drawing from successful MIT, Harvard, and Stanford practices. The guide will outline key elements for technology transfer agreements and other recommendations for more effective operations.