Theodorakis-Chrysovergis to OT.gr – Start-ups and spin offs are developing significantly in Greece

“Students should start setting up their own companies and be more creative at the markets,” said Nikos Theodorakis, professor at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (T.E.F.A.A), who has founded the award-winning company, SeamX.

As Mr. Theodorakis explained, SeamX is a sports event management platform, which includes powerful tools and applications that help organizers capitalize on the value of their event. It is a platform based on many years of University research in sporting event management and experience from the Olympic Games and world championships.

Mr. Theodorakis also referred to the entrepreneurship and innovation laboratory, emphasizing that its purpose is to persuade students to invest in their ideas.

Vyron Chrysovergis, Technology Transfer Consultant at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), presented the office’s activity, pointing out that it is the contact point between the academic community, the society and the market. The Office also includes patents and student research teams. It has been operating since 2012 and has so far succeeded in establishing 11 spin offs.

As Mr. Chrysovergis explained, spin-offs are new companies that have as their object the exploitation of the knowledge produced in research laboratories, by people of high level of scientific and technical education or also by research and educational organizations, with the assistance of private funds and financial institutions.

According to Mr. Chrysovergis, the majority of spin offs come from the polytechnics and computer science, while, recently, the medical industry is also setting up spin-offs.

Referring to the issue of patents, Mr. Theodorakis stressed that it is a taboo issue in Greece and it is not a necessary condition for a start-up to succeed in the markets. Specifically, it was mentioned in an MIT research that only 3% of spin-offs are set up on the basis of a patent.

Mr. Chrysovergis, evaluating the course of start-ups and spin offs, said that, the last ten years, they are developing significantly in our country, which is one of the fastest growing in this field. And they can help us stop the brain drain. Mr. Theodorakis, for his part, stressed that there have been leaps in recent years but we still have a lot to do, while he asked the State for resources. “We have the knowledge and the time,” he said, “we want resources and financial support to develop entrepreneurship centers within Universities and to challenge the entrepreneurial spirit.”