The Hellenic Development Bank (HDB) and JOIST have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, establishing a common framework for action to support entrepreneurship and innovation and broaden Greek businesses’ access to tools, networks and new business opportunities.
The partnership focuses on the exchange of expertise and best practices, with particular emphasis on supporting SMEs and scale-ups, strengthening business innovation and growth, facilitating access to finance and making use of the HDB’s financial and non-financial tools. It also includes the exploration of joint initiatives to map and activate the innovation ecosystem, with a particular focus on the regional level.
A central pillar of the partnership is the connection between JOIST and the HDB’s InnoAgora digital community. As part of this collaboration, selected JOIST startups and solutions will be able to showcase their work through InnoAgora, while members of the community will similarly be able to gain visibility across the JOIST network and connect with businesses looking for solutions to specific business needs. This will create further opportunities for networking and the development of new business partnerships.
The cooperation framework also covers areas of direct relevance to Greek businesses, including digital transformation, ESG, the green transition, access to financing tools and skills development. Joint activities will include educational webinars and thematic workshops, events and networking initiatives, as well as joint Innovation Challenges designed to identify and support innovative solutions and teams. The two organisations will also promote each other’s initiatives and opportunities across their respective networks and communities.
Opportunities to connect with European networks and internationalisation tools, such as EuroQuity, will also be explored, with the aim of creating additional opportunities for startups and innovative businesses. Members of the InnoAgora community will also be able to register free of charge on the JOIST Marketplace as Providers, further expanding the channels available to showcase their services and build new business connections.
The partnership between the Hellenic Development Bank and JOIST creates the conditions for new synergies between finance, innovation and entrepreneurship. With the needs of Greek businesses at its core, the two organisations aim to broaden access to financing tools, expertise and networks, contributing to stronger competitiveness, internationalisation and sustainable growth.