Download the transcript of the event in both English and Greek:
Start-up companies do not constitute a ‘bubble’. However, we should take into consideration that it is a new idea and, therefore, it will take some years for it to mature and succeed as it usually happens in the case of large-scale ecosystems, taking as an example the establishment and development of Google.
The term ‘start-up companies’ is not particularly well-known in Greece. People, and especially young people, have new ideas, but the mistake they make is that they do not go out there to present them, to receive advice, and to apply them in practice. Failure scares them; yet, they must dare to implement their ideas and to request guidance.
Entrepreneurial culture is still in a primary phase in Greece. However, there is a lot of opportune ground, which may be further expanded. Young people have started moving way from the rationale of public sector that was dominant until recently, and they are not afraid of starting with their own business ideas. Certainly, all parties involved can contribute towards the development of an entrepreneurial culture: namely, businesses, the university, and the government (i.e. the Triple Helix model) among others, if they collaborate constructively.
In order for someone to start up the implementation of an idea he/she has, they must first present it publicly. Surely, bureaucracy and funding constitute some of the main obstacles in this effort. However, we need to move on with whatever resources available, and be aware that, as experience has taught us, regulations change according to the market trends. We must appease the concern about the funding of an idea on the grounds that, if an idea is good, and solves a problem or serves a need, then it will inevitable be successful as well. The teams, though, which begin to put their idea into action, must also include some members who are experts in the subject they deal with. The initiators of an idea by staying in Greece may achieve success, although not at such a fast pace as it usually happens in other countries. Nevertheless, as specific examples already reveal, an idea may flourish in Greece as well.
More precisely, during the Round Table that was held under the title “Start-up Companies: A Viable Opportunity or a ‘Bubble’?” following the presentations of the competing teams and the announcement of the winner, it has become evident that:
– The promotion of success stories helps considerable in cultivating an entrepreneurial culture, and, as a result, events such as BeatIT are a step in the right direction.
– Greece can easily play the role of a start-up business ‘incubator’ given that it possesses competent and skillful human resources. Undoubtedly, though, the contribution of government is absolutely necessary in order to remove any bureaucracy and tax obstacles that exist.
– Furthermore, the selection of specific aims for achievement (ideally, one each time) is a necessity, like, for instance, the simplification of concrete stages for founding a new company, or the simplification of tax regulation, and others. Otherwise, the targets of professional bodies remain only unfulfilled wishes.
– Last but not least, University and academics can contribute to the whole effort by introducing Courses (in their postgraduate programmes Curricula) that will be taught by executive members of the Market and of the Business sector.
The Macedonia Thrace Chapter of the Greek Computer Society (EPY) believes firmly that enhancing the activation of start-up companies in the field of Computer Science and Communications is in the benefit of the entrepreneurs themselves, and especially of young people, while at the same time it is also of particular significance to the national economy. In this framework, EPY will assist in any effort to support start-up businesses, and it will contribute to any action taken by government to promote and further develop these companies.
