Many of the world does not pay close attention to Greece now. This may be a mistake. Greece is famous for the amazing and exaggerated carrots of the sun and the deep historical roots, and they put the basis calmly for something that is less expectant-a modern and flexible technical economy.
Although the international lights often lack it, something real happening on the ground, as this editor has discovered this week through dozens of conversations in Athens. The country, which previously stood on the brink of economic collapse not only renamed as the “innovation nation”. It turns smart marketing into reality, with policy transformations, investor interest, and a renewed sense of technology and entrepreneurship.
In fact, in Sit On Thursday night with Greek Prime Minister Kiriacos Mitsotakis, the issue was introduced to Techcrunch that Greece is not just catching a knee but ready to surprise. “There is a large space for growth,” he confessed, but “the stars are aligned.”
This did not happen without effort. Mitsotakis explained that Greece made a “conscious decision” before half a scale of dozens to expand beyond traditional economic strengths such as tourism and hospitality. “Technology can be 10 % of our economy. This is completely implemented,” he said. Depending on his own background in investment capital – he founded the first incubator in Greece in 2001 – he spoke with fluency that you often hear from the heads of state.
While Greece may reach a late technology party in Europe, this timing may actually prove that it is an advantage. Since he had no capital to manufacture bad bets, Greece has avoided some enlarged assessments and failed projects that weigh the most mature ecosystems. With a relatively clean menu, the country moves quickly to place itself at the forefront of emerging technologies – especially artificial intelligence.
Thanks to Amnesty International, the Prime Minister sees an opportunity to skip. “We want to use technology to jump,” he said. “Not only to catch up, but in fact better than many European countries.” He pointed to the success of Greece in digitizing public services-saying that it has exceeded Germany in some ways-and to experimental programs such as Microsoft’s artificial intelligence system, which reduced government contract review times from hours to minutes.
This double strategy to care for startups is during the government’s updating the backbone of artificial intelligence aspirations in Greece. Mitsotakis imagines Greece as a responsible for innovation laboratory, especially in areas such as health, civil protection and defense. “We are not only talking about what the startup community is doing. We are customers of these technologies. We want to have more start -up mentality as a government.”
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A decisive element for this transformation is talent. Greece is working to reflect the brains of the brain that witnessed thousands of skilled workers leave during the financial crisis. He said: “The tax exemptions exist – 50 % discount on the income tax for seven years.” But he also admitted that “people will not only get a tax break. They will return if they have a good opportunity to work, if they feel they can do something rewarding and they can already develop their business in Greece.”
To this end, in our conversation, it touched on the modern Changes For the “VISA Golden” program in Greece, which now gives a residence permit for the citizens of the third country who invest at least 250,000 euros in a Greek startup registered in the Greek National Employment Record; We also talked about two new programs presented last year designed to bring foreign workers and skilled businessmen to the country. (While recent initiatives are still in the pipeline, they seem to reflect a broader commitment to openness. “This is a global talent war,” said Mitsotakis. “We need to facilitate a return to Greek talents or for people who can live anywhere to choose work here.”
Mitsotakis also emphasized the importance of expanding technology beyond Athens, with the emergence of centers in Thissaloniki, Herachlion, and other university cities. “This should be a story about regional development.”
However, the Prime Minister admitted the ongoing challenges, including the pace of legal reform, the need for more late capital, and the complexities of doing business throughout the European market. But what Greece is now believed to offer, contrary to the depths of the crisis, is the ability to predict, stability and mutilate. “Is this country moving in the right direction?” He asked the speech. “The answer is yes.”
For Mitsotakis, the ultimate goal is to make Greece’s progress “irreversible”. Although the old building is not the focus of its focus, both Mitsotakis and about 300 investors and founders gathered to sit-some of whom have returned happily to Greece from the Gulf region, London and other places-they want to ensure the continued progress of the country.
“We cannot [perform] “We cannot compensate for miracles,” says Mitsotakis. But I believe that we went out of the vicious session of the past, and I see technology a great opportunity, whether for the private sector or the government. “
You can pick up our full interview with Mitsotakis below.
