EquiFund - business funding event

EquiFund invites entrepreneurs, both established and aspiring, to attend an event being held on 16th April at the Onassis Cultural Centre, Athens to meet with potential investors.  The National Documentation Centre is event collaborator and its representatives will be on hand in the centre’s 5th floor foyer with information on their business and networking actions through Enterprise Europe Network-Hellas and the ‘Knowledge and Partnership Bridges’ initiative.

The two main EquiFund investors are represented by Pier Luigi Gilibert, Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund and Alexis Charitis, Alt. Minister of Economy and Development. Key international speakers include Javier Perez-Tenessa De Block, Chair of Investment Committee at Seed Rocket 4 Founders Capital & Founder and former CEO of eDreams ODIGEO and consultant for digital development and entrepreneurship Paul Papadimitriou who will also be the Master of Ceremonies.

All those having secured funding following an evaluation process together with successful entrepreneurs will present the programme’s funding opportunities for start-ups and SMEs.

The event targets researchers, undergraduates, graduates, doctoral and post- doctoral students, established and aspiring entrepreneurs and innovative businesses seeking the means to implement and fund their business ideas.

What is EquiFund?

EquiFund is the new Fund-of-Funds programme which has a multiplier effect on the economy and society. The new business fund aims at strengthening entrepreneurship with lasting impact on Greek businesses. Its goal is to attract private investment at all stages of entrepreneurship, from start-ups to mature expansion companies.

It was launched with 200 million euro from European and national funds and 60 million from the European Investment Fund/EIF, a member of the European Investment Bank Group.

EquiFund is expected to boost the Greek economy by making it possible to access business capital at a time when one of the major problems facing entrepreneurs, chiefly innovators, is securing liquidity and funds. EquiFund is expected to play a vital role in unleashing the potential of the venture investment market and transform the Greek ecosystem.

Enterprise Europe Network-Hellas

The National Documentation Centre, as co-ordinator for Enterprise Europe Network-Hellas, the largest Greek business support network, supports innovative and outward-oriented Greek businesses in gaining access to new markets and funding. It provides customised services for innovation management and scaling up businesses. It gives information on European policies and enables SMEs to participate in consultations on future initiatives. The Greek network mediates approximately 100 transnational partnerships per year.

Knowledge and Partnership Bridges

The initiative ‘Knowledge and Partnership Bridges’ , General Secretariat for Strategy and Private Investment, Ministry of Economy and Development is implemented by the National Documentation Centre and is designed to address the flow of Greeks abroad. The approach adopted is to highlight the relevance of networking between Greeks worldwide so as to secure the country’s future and mutual support on a scientific, professional and business level. Such mutual support serves not only the collaborating parties but also the growth of the country in general.