The startups that won the innovation battle in 2023

At the "heart" of the Greek economy and entrepreneurship lies the domestic innovation ecosystem, which is gaining more and more momentum, making its mark visible on the global map.

It is worth noting that recently our country was once again included in the list of the top 50 Startup ecosystems worldwide, managing to gain two positions in the relevant ranking.

Specifically, according to the new report Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2023 by StartupBlink, which maps and evaluates the Startup ecosystems of 1,000 cities in 100 countries worldwide, Greece has climbed two places in the global ranking this year. Thus, in a total of 100 countries, Greece ranked 46th, up from 48th last year. It also ranked 18th in Western Europe and 4th in the Balkan region.

In 2023, several Startup companies managed to stand out with their initiatives, business tactics, and the successes they recorded. THETOTALBUSINESS presents you some of the representatives of the Startup ecosystem that made an impression.

Myroomie: Find a roommate in a minute!

Myroomie offers a solution to one of the biggest problems Greeks are facing right now - finding a place to live - as soaring rental prices lead more and more Greeks to opt for shared living. Myroomie is a platform created by Dominikos Pritis as an alternative response to the negative effects of the energy crisis and high inflation. It targets those who have a house and a spare room and are looking for a roommate, as well as those who are single and looking for a place to live. In March 2023, the startup raised funding of 120,000 euros, and in September of the same year, it launched a new B2B service to help companies manage the housing and relocation of their employees more efficiently and economically. The service provides comprehensive support, from finding apartments or roommates to managing all the necessary actions, checks, and procedures, making relocation easier and stress-free for companies and employees.

Centaur Analytics: Solutions from the computer to… the field

The agricultural sector is at the forefront of the digital revolution, with many companies trying to solve enduring problems in the sector by providing "high-tech" services such as data analytics and the Internet of Things. In this effort, the Greek company Centaur Analytics leads the way, attempting to transform the sector with the help of the most high-tech "tools." Specifically, the Volos-based startup offers a solution particularly for the post-harvest period, when the crop is stored, ensuring in real time that it is of the best possible quality until it is processed or sold. It also informs producers of any issues that arise so that necessary actions can be taken proactively. All of this is made possible with the help of interconnected sensors that monitor the products from the moment they are stored until they reach the shelf. Centaur, founded in 2014 by Sotiris Banta, Vassilis Sotiroudas, and Diogenes Devletoglou, has grown significantly to date, attracting the interest of international investors. Notably, in the first two years since its founding, it raised $1.3 million in funding from the Israeli investment fund OurCrowd First, and two years later, it secured €2.5 million from Marathon Venture Capital and Delta Degesch, targeting Scaleup. Today, the startup is present in over 25 countries, employs two-thirds of its staff in Greece, and has now moved its headquarters to California.

instacar: "Stepping on the gas" to the new era in car leasing

instacar is yet another startup that "hit the gas" in 2023, as the first fully digital vehicle leasing service in Greece managed to raise €55 million. instacar was founded in 2018, and its service was officially launched in September 2019, providing an innovative solution to fill the gap between car rental and traditional leasing. Specifically, instacar has developed a flexible vehicle leasing platform, which an individual or a business can lease for as little as one month or as long as desired, without the commitments and down payment required in traditional leasing. Thus, a customer with a monthly lease can use a modern vehicle and acquire it with a few clicks, while individuals and businesses get comprehensive insurance coverage, 24-hour roadside assistance, and penalty-free contract termination with a monthly subscription. The Greek startup has attracted significant investments and strategic partnerships, serving as a "vehicle" towards implementing its expanded strategic growth plan. In April 2023, instacar acquired Kineo, the leading subscription-based rental service for electric bikes and scooters, aiming to expand the micro-mobility market in Greece. In the same vein, in November 2023, it launched instaride, a new service allowing subscribers to choose short-range electric vehicles for their daily urban commutes.

BOX NOW: the "green" startup that delivers... differently!

BOX NOW achieved significant growth in 2023, utilizing cutting-edge technology. With modern customer needs at the core of its philosophy, it is one of the most "green" and innovative startups in Greece. Since its inception in 2021, it has managed to change the dynamics of e-commerce deliveries. Operating in the Last Mile Delivery sector, it is not a traditional courier company, offering different services. Specifically, it meets the larger market segment that desires an alternative delivery method when shopping online, offering flexibility, immediacy, and more in tune with the fast pace of everyday life. BOX NOW is an innovative digital technology company introducing a new application of Last Mile Delivery, emphasizing customer experience, environmental respect, and the selection of specialized technological solutions. BOX NOW lockers are placed at strategic city locations, allowing consumers 24/7 access to the Automatic Delivery Machine and their parcel at any desired time, easily and simply. In other words, it offers security, independence, and freedom in the movement and delivery of parcels anywhere and anytime, wherever and whenever the consumer-customer desires! With more than 1,400 BOX NOW Lockers and 45,000 lockers nationwide, consumers can pick up their parcel any time and day they wish from the 24/7 accessible BOX NOW Lockers. BOX NOW's environmentally friendly delivery method helps our partners improve their customer's shopping experience, offering them convenience and independence when picking up their orders.

Prosperty: changing the real estate market

Prosperty is a startup founded in 2020 that has managed to change the dynamics in the real estate market with the help of its pioneering digital platform that offers multiple capabilities to its users.

Founded by Antonis Markopoulos, Nikos Patssiogiannis, and Antonis Despotakis, it aims to diversify the way people buy, sell, rent, and manage real estate. To achieve this, it uses innovative technology and data analytics in the real estate market to provide an integrated digital experience for property owners, buyers, and tenants. It invests in data and innovative technology while guaranteeing clear, detailed communication, instant access, transparency, and efficiency at every step of the process, right up to closing the deal. Prosperty guarantees the sale of the property within six months, as the individual owner views the offers and negotiates the ideal price. Prosperty's team promotes the property to prospective buyers worldwide, relieving sellers and buyers of time-consuming bureaucratic processes and guiding them through the process most appropriately. In October 2023, the company launched the e- stegastiko.gr platform. Through the free online application provided on the platform, interested parties can apply for a mortgage loan in less than 5 minutes and with a single submission to multiple banks simultaneously.

In any case, the Greek startup ecosystem proves that it is here, evolving, growing, and offering innovative solutions that allow it to look to the future with optimism.