PM Mitsotakis highlights the milestones for the development of high technology in Greece

The prime minister said the recently announced buyouts of the Greek companies Softomotive and Think Silicon, by two giant global technology companies, Microsoft and Applied Material, respectively, were landmark successes for the development of advanced technology in Greece. The participating companies belong to the network of the business support organisation Endeavour Greece.

Microsoft spokesperson Charles Lamanna said the company plans to establish an RPA (Robotic Process Automation) development centre in Greece. As Microsoft's first research and development center in the country, it will further reinforce the impact of the acquisition on the local economy.

Mitsotakis praised the fact that two world-class groups found the technology they have been systematically seeking all around the world in Greece, while he also praised DeepSea, which managed to raise 3 million euros from the English investment group ETF Partners. This is the first Greek company that has managed to convince a strong fund abroad to invest funds in Greece, in the midst of the pandemic.

"This is a really great development, which, in fact, came about during a very difficult time for the country. However, I believe that it also demonstrates that we can do so much more to support the environment of our startups and to create the conditions that will attract more capital to the country, create new jobs and showcase the ecosystem of Greek startups abroad," the prime minister said.

"Because, I believe, in this ecosystem of our country, many important steps are being taken that are not always immediately visible. During the crisis, there have been some success stories, but I have the feeling that this trend is gaining momentum. Of course, the more capital these businesses attract, the more well-known these success stories become, and the more motivated young people will be to turn to entrepreneurship. Of course, we are trying to do everything we can to support the business ecosystem by providing more tax relief for investment and technology development and a framework for better tax policy on stock options."

The prime minister also pointed out that lessons teaching the basic principles of entrepreneurship will be introduced for the first time in Greek schools. "I would say that something is really changing in the mentality of Greek society towards entrepreneurship," he said.

"I would like to address the companies that are already operating in Greece and congratulate them," the prime minister said after the discussion. "It is always nice to see that your efforts so far can lead you to the next step, for example, to acquisition by a large company or a significant investment by a business investment company. You put in a lot of effort and worked hard in very difficult times. The fact that these transactions have taken place in recent months sends a message of even greater optimism," he added.

Mitsotakis also sent his message to the representatives of the big technology companies that were present at the teleconference: "Addressing the representatives of the big technology companies, I appeal to them to spread the news that Greece is a country that should attract their interest. It has political stability, talented people, the right human capital, and a government that I think understands what it needs to do to support the fast-growing high-tech companies. So I think the best experience from our country that you can spread is exactly the experience you talked about today, which, in fact, is a very encouraging message. We hope that we will see other Greek companies develop and attract interest from abroad. The goal is always to create as many new and quality jobs in Greece as possible and to make sure that Greek companies make us proud, making their presence felt in the international technology sector."