On the world map, countries carrying out research and development (R&D) of specialized integrated circuits necessary for work fifth generation networks (5G), includes Greece. Today, 5G relies on bulky base stations that are power-hungry and costly to develop. But the technology, developed by US company EdgeQ, aims to shrink the size of 5G infrastructure, which will be in the form of a microchip. The Faistos Fund, which is operated by 5G Ventures SA, a subsidiary of Hellenic Holdings and Property Company, recently co-invested in the technology, which promises a 50 percent reduction in energy requirements and significantly lower development costs. Faistos has invested 7 million euros with US funds, part of some 70 million euros that EdgeQ has raised in recent years.

Threshold Ventures (formerly DFJ), along with partner and board member Andreas Stavropoulos, one of the Greeks active in Silicon Valley for over 20 years, also invested in a US-based company with founder and CEO Vinay Ravuni. Another person who has an advisory role at EdgeQ is Stanford University electronics engineering professor Christos Kozirakis, who has done a series of studies on how any computing system can be made faster, greener, and smaller. In other words, what EdgeQ was able to implement in 5G technology, which in IT parlance is called a “system on a chip.” An integrated circuit capable of completely replacing conventional (bulky) hardware required for 5G operation. One of the comparative advantages of this system is that it will be able to incorporate artificial intelligence technology. A direct result of the joint investment between Feistos and US funds in a US company was the creation of EdgeQ Greece, which aims to research and develop its dedicated 5G equipment in Greece.

EdgeQ Greece is founded to research and develop special equipment for 5G networks in Greece.

“The company chooses Greece to take its first step in R&D in Europe, with an R&D team in the US and India. A high-tech company like EdgeQ creates added value for the Greek tech sector, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t major challenges, such as finding the right staff.” notes Antonis Tjortsakakis in “K”.Managing Director of 5G Participation and Faistos Investment Fund.

The company, he explains, chose Greece because, thanks to “5G participations,” the country has an ecosystem that allows EdgeQ to conduct the necessary tests during the research and development of its equipment. To this end, Faistos has signed an agreement with Vantage Towers Greece to provide Fund-funded companies with access to a portfolio of over 5,200 passive infrastructures, including ground and rooftop towers, to develop and test their technology solutions.