The Hellenic Innovation Agency is a newly established structure within the Organisation, operating under the Directorate of Technology Information. Its mission is to serve as the operational arm for supporting investment in industrial and business innovation, facilitating the uptake and exploitation of applied research results by businesses and industry, and contributing to the development and implementation of the National Smart Specialisation Strategy.
The vision of the Hellenic Innovation Agency is to contribute to improving the country’s innovation performance by acting as a catalyst for collaboration and partnerships between businesses and the research community.
The Unit’s work is supported by a dedicated Working and Action Group, composed of scientific personnel specialised in Industrial Property, with extensive experience in the innovation ecosystem. The team combines expertise in assessing inventive and innovative activity with a sound understanding of market dynamics, while continuously monitoring European best practices, policies and developments and promoting cooperation, networking and outward-looking engagement.
More specifically, the Agency:
- Assesses the innovation performance of Greek enterprises.
- Participates in and supports the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) at national level.
- Ensures the representation of businesses and industry in the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process.
- Utilises the outcomes of the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process with a view to strengthening the competitiveness and innovation capacity of enterprises.
- Supports enterprises in the uptake and exploitation of research and technological results.
- Strengthens business networking and collaboration.
- Supports and promotes the participation of enterprises in international value chains.
- Supports enterprises in identifying and securing funding for innovation projects.
- Participates in Technology Foresight activities.
The Agency’s role is closely linked to:
a) enabling businesses to better understand the capabilities and potential of the research community;
b) enabling the research community to better understand the needs of industry and businesses;
c) encouraging and facilitating investment in industrial and business innovation;
d) minimising barriers and disincentives to innovation; and
e) facilitating businesses’ effective and unhindered access to the country’s research infrastructures.
The ultimate objective is to strengthen the interconnection between Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, bringing together creativity, strategic planning, collaboration and continuous improvement, and thereby contributing to a more dynamic, competitive and innovation-driven business and research ecosystem.