Speech by G. Kotsiras at an Innovation Network event in Boston

In his speech, Mr. Kotsiras praised HIN’s efforts to strengthen ties between Greece and the scientific and business diaspora. These goals are in complete alignment with the government’s “Strategic Plan for the Hellenic Diaspora 2024-2027,” which aims to connect Greece’s innovation, research, and academic communities with the dynamic scientific and business diaspora community abroad.

The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed the importance of creating a global network of researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to promote Greece’s technological ecosystem. “The ‘Strategic Plan for the Hellenes Abroad 2024-2027’ also supports the opening of Greek universities to the world and encourages the brain drain generation to return or reconnect with the homeland. We are excited about creating a community where Greek researchers and entrepreneurs - regardless of where they are - can collaborate and promote Greece’s technological progress,” he said.

Mr. Kotsiras referred to Greece’s remarkable economic recovery over the past five years under the leadership of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, achieved through reforms that made the country more competitive and investment-friendly.

“We are committed to ensuring that Greece will be a welcoming place for innovation and business in sectors such as IT, research and development, energy and logistics. To this end, we have taken decisive steps to strengthen the startup ecosystem, such as tax incentives for angel investors, the “digital nomad visa”, a 100% deduction on expenses related to the green economy, energy and digitalization for SMEs, a tax exemption for startup profits and tax breaks to strengthen the brain-regain program,” he noted.

Mr. Kotsiras also highlighted Greece’s sustainability goals and underlined the critical role of technology in addressing climate change, calling on the Greek scientific diaspora to contribute with innovative solutions, especially in environmental protection. Concluding his speech, Mr. Kotsiras encouraged synergies with a view to capitalizing on the opportunities offered by the country.

In the discussion that followed, Dimitris Papalexopoulos, Chairman of TITAN Group, discussed with Professor Georgios Serafim from Harvard Business School the issue and the challenges of the green transition in an era when sustainability is emerging as a priority for the private sector. At the same time, representatives of start-ups presented their innovative activities and how they contribute. To addressing climate change.

The Hellenic Innovation Network (HIN)

The Hellenic Innovation Network (HIN) was founded in 2018 in the United States as a non-profit organization with the aim of accelerating technological innovation and entrepreneurship in Greece and Cyprus. The network builds bridges between the diaspora and the Greek technology community, offering access to resources, partners and best practices. Through startup competitions, online educational shows and networking events, the network aims to contribute to the development of a world-class technology ecosystem by 2030.

HIN’s leadership is comprised of a team of distinguished professionals, led by Marina Hatsopoulos, who is active in the technology sector. The network focuses on areas such as artificial intelligence, computing technologies and research, with the aim of strengthening Greek innovation and promoting international collaborations.