Fewer funds available to startups
![Fewer funds available to startups](https://www.ekathimerini.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-02-09T113700Z_1737490628_RC2KFS95JU20_RTRMADP_5_GREECE-ECONOMY-STARTUPS-960x600.jpg)
Greek startups, including those based abroad and founded by Greek expats, have, so far this year, drawn $872 million from 83 investors. But the financial climate is more reserved than last year, and even more so than the almost free-for-all 2021.
Last year, Greek startups had been funded to the tune of $2.7 billion, including JP Morgan’s acquisition of a 48.5% stake in Viva Wallet. Funding was still lower than the $3.3 billion achieved in 2021. Estimates for this year average $1.67 billion, not bad considering that global funding, with the exception of artificial intelligence firms, has dropped 51% so far. The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, to which some Greek startups were exposed, has concentrated minds. As an analyst said, serious innovation and development are a must. Simply accumulating debt is a guarantee of a short-lived company.
{YPKAT}DESPINA KONTI{YPKAT}