Speaking today at the bank’s event to present a new product “Know Your Customer”, facilitating the access of small and medium-sized enterprises to bank financing.

Mr. Mitsotakis had a discussion with entrepreneurs who have taken advantage of existing HDB schemes and cited the example of Augmenta, a Greek startup that was recently sold for $110 million, of which $5 million was for employee benefits. “Employee equity is very important. Perhaps it should be set as a condition in some financial instruments, even with a small percentage. This creates a new business culture and a new generation of healthy entrepreneurship,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

Mr. Mitsotakis, referring to his previous work in venture capital, pointed out that what has been done in recent years at the Hellenic Development Bank could not be implemented under the previous government, which he attributed to ignorance and ideology. He also highlighted the added value for the business, beyond funding, of providing external expertise to improve the company, access to a wider network of suppliers and customers, etc.

the Prime Minister, especially on the speed with which HDB acted during the pandemic, which helped save businesses that were closed by government order, as well as protect jobs.

“We have provided financial support to small and medium-sized businesses and will continue to do so. We want more competition and stricter oversight rules,” Mr. Mitsotakis stressed. He also mentioned that this year, if all goes well, we will have a new tourism revenue record.

Entrepreneurs Karachalios (Rodula), Turnavitis (Karditsa Cooperative Bank), Pistiolas (Agrino, hospitality sector) and Lakasas (Olympia Electronics) described the cooperation with the Hellenic Development Bank as positive, which allowed them to cope with the consequences of the pandemic, but also invest in development .

Source: RES-IPE