In recent months, Greek start-up companies in the maturity stage have taken on the role of buyer or investor. developmenteither to enter new marketseither strengthen your team (by hiring), or add new technology.

This is a trend that has not been particularly common in the past. Market participants emphasize this in their “dance”. acquisitions are mainly developed (scaleup) companiessuch as Blueground, Skroutz, Orfium, Hellas Direct, and others, companies that are a significant player in the market they operate in, while at the same time believing that acquisitions are a sign of their maturation and a natural consequence of the development of the innovation ecosystem that started ” be born” during the financial crisis.

“Exits, startup sales are big news, as they return money to investors, strengthen the team, etc. However, it is equally important for scaling companies to acquire other companies, collect technologies and have a place in the Greek ecosystem.” About this “K” reports Panagiotis Karabinis.managing director of Endeavor Greece, which is currently together with about seven Greek companies startups, in Singapore, at one of the largest maritime events in the world, the 17th Singapore Maritime Week. According to him, at least seven large Greek or start-up companies with Greek interests have made some kind of acquisition, explaining that it is important that the technologies of the acquired companies come under the control of the Greek entrepreneur and that employees, Greek or foreign, now work in the Greek companies even in offices in our country.

Real estate operator Blueground recently acquired two companies: the Brazilian Tabas, through which it expanded into Latin America, and the American Travelers Haven, to offer services to clients who want to rent apartments outside of major urban centers. Orfium, which develops software for detecting copyright infringement in the use of music tracks, has added another acquisition to its portfolio with the acquisition of British company Soundmouse this year. It was preceded in 2022 by the acquisition of the Japanese company Breaker. Joined the dance of acquisitions Skrutz, Hellas Direct but also Viva Walletwhile Adam Markakis’ Kineo electric bike and skate rental subscription service was recently acquired by Greek startup instacar Antonis Samothrakis and Antonis Zois.

With a €55m dowry from Greek investors like Autohellas, instacar, founded in 2018 and developing a platform for flexible vehicle leasing, has also entered the takeover dance.

In addition to the sister theme of the two startups and the link that is none other than Vassilakis’ Autohellas (it has also invested in Kineo in the past), instacar’s move is strategic, adding a fleet of around 1,000 bikes and skates to its portfolio, as well as experience Kineo teams. However, Instacar will not be limited to the acquisition of Kineo.