With its rich history and cultural legacy, Greece is recognized not just for its ancient ruins and attractive landscapes, but also for its developing startup environment. In recent years, the country has seen a resurgence in entrepreneurship, resulting in the formation of a robust startup ecosystem with enormous development potential. From Athens to Thessaloniki, am increasing number of businesses are sprouting across diverse sectors. The startup incubators and accelerators in Greece play a vital role in fostering the growth and development of these early-stage companies. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of all incubator and accelerator programs in Greece, along with a short overview of their programs to help you determine a suitable program. The incubators and accelerators in this list have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation' or 'launch' stages.
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN GREECE
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Greece
Full list of ideation-stage startup incubators in Greece:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Science and Technology
Patras research Park (PSP) is a pioneering research park in Greece that was founded in the early 1990s. Located in Patras, a city noted for its academic and scientific prowess, the science park plays a critical role in supporting and growing creative technological enterprises in a variety of industries including as ICT, biotechnology, and renewable energy. The park is home to around 30 businesses, 8 innovation hubs, and an incubator for New Technology Based Firms (NTBFs). These HUBs act as collaborative platforms, bringing together research laboratories, businesses, and students to engage on joint projects, develop new products, and start new businesses.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Science and Technology
Incubation 4 Growth (i4G) is a tech and science incubator that provides full support to entrepreneurs. i4G provides a variety of tools such as coaching, networking, and financing possibilities. Aside from the incubator, i4G also manages a seed investment fund, making it a useful resource for entrepreneurs in need of funding. Whether entrepreneurs need business strategy advice, mentorship from industry professionals, or access to capital, i4G can help them take off and flourish in the competitive tech and scientific sectors.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
IQbility is a renowned business incubator and accelerator with a purpose to uncover, develop, and accelerate the growth of the country's most promising entrepreneurs. IQbility strives to promote the growth of innovative and high-potential companies by focusing on high-quality mentorship and useful resources. The incubator provides a variety of services and assistance, including financing, mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and customised tools to assist entrepreneurs in scaling and achieving their objectives.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Thermi Accelerator is focused on providing complete support for entrepreneurs, offering a variety of helpful tools, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities to aid businesses in thriving in their respective sectors. One of Thermi Accelerator's primary strengths is its strategic connections and collaborations with industry experts, investors, and existing enterprises. This allows entrepreneurs to obtain useful insights, gain access to financing possibilities, and establish relevant connections within their target markets. By leveraging its wide network and experience, the accelerator strives to support and encourage businesses along their path, from inception through growth and beyond.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Athens Business Incubator, located in Greece's capital city, is a dynamic center for innovation and business. As one of the country's major business incubators, it fosters the growth and success of startups and developing enterprises. The incubator provides its members with a variety of tools and services, such as mentoring programs, networking opportunities, funding, and cutting-edge facilities. With a strong emphasis on conserving traditions and fostering Greek culture, the accelerator not only supports company growth but also develops a sense of pride and identity among its members. It exemplifies the perseverance and determination of Athenians, who continue to push the limits of innovation and entrepreneurship in this historic city.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Athens Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center is a center for research, technology, and innovation of Athens University of Economics and Business. The center, which is located in the Athens Innovation District, brings together research institutes, startups, and major established enterprises in various sectors. The center offers a vibrant setting for information sharing, networking, and idea development. They provide incubation/acceleration programs to help entrepreneurs in finding potential clients, validating their business ideas, creating their prototype, honing their team's skills, validating their product, and executing their go-to-market strategy with the help from their network and mentors.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The STEP-C Incubator is the incubator located within the Science and Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C). Founded in 1993, the incubator provides a collaborative place for entrepreneurs, encouraging networking, innovation, and creativity. The STEP-C Incubator's mission is to promote technology transfer, commercialize research, and foster entrepreneurship. It provides office and laboratory space created exclusively for innovative startups with a technological focus. The incubator's strategic position near research institutes and universities offers tenants a distinct edge in terms of access to resources and experience.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Orange Grove is a cutting-edge incubator and networking center for young Greek and Dutch entrepreneurs. It was founded in 2013 as a collaborative effort of the Dutch Embassy in Athens and its partners. It is a vibrant workplace in Athens where entrepreneurs can network, learn, and work on their enterprises. To enhance productivity and cooperation, the facility provides fully furnished workplaces as well as a variety of educational workshops and seminars in order to improve members' skills and knowledge. These learning opportunities include a wide range of entrepreneurial topics, such as business development, marketing, and finance. Orange Grove entrepreneurs can also be matched with mentors who can provide crucial assistance and experience to help them navigate through business hurdles.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The EIT Digital Venture Program in Greece is part of the program's East Balkans edition. The program aims to encourage the formation of businesses in Greece, Cyprus, and North Macedonia and support entrepreneurs in building and launchin their minimum viable product (MVP). The program offers selected teams with an 8-week pre-acceleration period as well as financial support of up to EUR25,000. Teams will participate in mentoring and get guidance on a variety of topics during the program, including designing their MVP, establishing their business, and finding their first investor. The program also provides a growth package and assists teams in locating a follow-up investor. As part of the agreement, all participating teams will have to grant EIT Digital 5% of their equity after incorporation.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Athens Digital Lab is a pioneering tech innovation hub, formed as a collaborative effort between the City of Athens, tech companies COSMOTE and Nokia, and the Athens Partnership and funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. The lab's goal is to foster and promote technological concepts that can be developed into sophisticated Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The lab offers financial and technological assistance to selected teams of young entrepreneurs who have presented initiatives that address urban difficulties using IoT technology.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
Technopolis is a renowned technological park and cultural hub housed in Athens' old gas plant, which has been turned into a thriving center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and creative industries. Technopolis is home to a variety of facilities and services that aid in the creation and development of startups and technology-driven businesses. One of Technopolis' primary features is its incubator, which provides a variety of resources and services to assist entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into profitable enterprises.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Greece
Full list of launch stage startup incubators and accelerators in Greece:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Music
The HEMI Incubator is a business development program for music entrepreneurs and professionals that offers a complete framework for them to grow their businesses or launch new projects. It is an initiatve of The Hub for the Exchange of Music Innovation (HEMI), a European cooperation project that aims to strengthen and expand the music industry in the Central and South Eastern Europe region. Participants in the HEMI Incubator can benefit from specific training sessions, networking events, and mentorship programs geared to the music industry's particular challenges. In addition, the program provides accreditation to prominent festivals and conferences, allowing entrepreneurs to display their skills and meet with industry experts and possible partners.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
he Foundation Innovation Platform is a dynamic ecosystem that is committed to supporting digital growth inside enterprises and teams. With a passionate approach, they aim to drive innovation and facilitate growth in various sectors. They organize the Spark Accelerator, designed specifically for early-stage startups. This program helps connect startups with EquiFund funds, further enhancing their chances of success. Supported by a team of specialists that are up to date on the latest technology breakthroughs and trends, they ensure that enterprises remain at the forefront of digital transformation. They provide a collaborative place for networking and information exchange through their ecosystem, allowing businesses to use the power of innovation to create success.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Situated in Thessaloniki, OKThess Innovation Hub is a dynamic environment for startups and entrepreneurs. It was founded in 2018 with the goal of encouraging creativity and cooperation while also creating a conducive atmosphere for the growth of technology-based companies. The center provides a variety of programs and services to help entrepreneurs at various stages of growth. It offers coworking spaces, mentorship programs, and access to an expert and investor network. OKThess also conducts seminars, events, and networking opportunities to enhance knowledge exchange and create synergies among its community members.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Travel & Hospitality
CapsuleT Travel & Hospitality Accelerator is the first Greek accelerator for tourism-related tech entrepreneurs. With the support from the prestigious Hellenic Chamber of Hotel, CapsuleT seeks to become the major vehicle for the development and expansion of entrepreneurial ideas, collaborations, and firms in the travel and hospitality industry. The accelerator is comprised of two critical phases. To begin, the Acceleration Program lasts three months and provides participants access to a variety of events and networking opportunities to interact with industry experts, potential investors, and established firms. Grants are also available to help with the creation and scaling of innovative solutions. The Idea Platform, the second component, is designed for early-stage ideas and companies which includes seminars, mentorship sessions, and a hackathon to promote and support entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into real businesses.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Egg Accelerator in Greece, which stands for enter-grow-go, is one of the country's most successful business accelerators. Launched in 2013 by Eurobank and Corallia, the initiative aims to help startups and young enterprises by providing capital, mentorship, commercial activities, networking, and exporting opportunities. The accelerator is divided into two platforms: egg Start-Up and egg Scale-Up. The egg Start-Up platform is dedicated to assisting new businesses in growing and introducing their products/services to the market. Participants on this platform benefit from business assistance such as funding, facilities, mentorship, and business training. Meanwhile, the egg Scale-Up platform is intended for more established firms seeking investment for company development. Both platforms have been instrumental in creating an innovation ecosystem in Greece and have supported over 1,000 new entrepreneurs since their inception.
Closing Thoughts on Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Greece
Greece's startup ecosystem is set for development and impact, with a supportive government, a fantastic network of incubators and accelerators, a thriving IT industry, and a highly qualified talent pool. It has all the elements to become a mature regional startup hotspot. Added with its strategic position, strong legacy in science and technology, and constantly expanding infrastructure, the country has created a perfect atmosphere for creativity, cooperation, and experimentation.