Last night, here at the Department of Economics, University of Piraeus, we had the honour to host an amazing and inspiring presentation by our distinguished guest speakers Mrs. Marina Hatsopoulos, MSc. in Mechanical Engineering, MIT, Entrepreneur & Financial expert in Venture Capitals & Startup Ecosystems, and Mr. George Zavvos, Chairman of the Board at the HDB – Hellenic Development Bank SA. Over 350 of our undergraduate and graduate students attended the event, along with faculty from the Department of Economics!

An amazing presentation indeed by Marina Hatsopoulos, explaining to graduate students of the MSc in Economic and Business Strategy, as well our undergraduate students the Startup formation process and the decision-making involved in such efforts. VCs allow entrepreneurs to access the capital required to develop and commercialize their ideas, in addition to helping them with expertise by consultants, networking opportunities and validation of their ideas.

Mrs. Hatsopoulos also discussed the gap between the European and USA competitiveness, and particularly for Greece she explained how the small number of new patents and technology-based startups will slow down the development and growth of the Greek economy.

Mr. George Zavvos closed the great session of Q&A between our speakers and our students by explaining the role of HDB – Hellenic Development Bank SA in helping out the Greek economy by emphasizing the green and digital transition of SMEs and by linking the financing of SMEs from the traditional banks, assuming most of the risk associated, thus promoting small and medium entrepreneurship. Finally, he mentioned HDB’s efforts to create new programs that aim to strengthen the green and digital transition of SMEs, with particular emphasis on extroversion and innovation, and the development of the “patent fund” which will accelerate the growth of the Greek technological ecosystem.

We thank both speakers for a wonderful and inspiring experience for our faculty and students.