EY Greece and the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) join forces to make more effective use of national and European funding opportunities. The aim is to develop innovative solutions for the benefit of entrepreneurship and the economy. In this context, EY and CERTH signed a memorandum of cooperation on:

• jointly promoting research and innovation
• the exploitation of new knowledge
• the interconnection of research with entrepreneurship, in relation to the available financial tools

The partnership was sealed on Thursday, May 5, during a meeting held at EY's offices in Athens, with the participation of mr Panagiotis Papazoglou, CEO of EY Greece, by Dr. Demetrios Tzovaras, Chairman of the BoD and Director of the Central Directorate of CERTH, Mr. Evangelos Bekiaris, Vice President, Member and Director of the Institute of Sustainable Mobility and Transport Networks (HIT) and Mr. Vassilis Tsiamis, Associate Partner in the Corporate Strategy and Transactions Consulting Department of EY Greece and Head of Access Services to European Funding Programs.

The main areas of EY-CERTH cooperation

Cooperation shall focus on the following areas:

• Interaction and cooperation to promote innovation in the context of national and European funding tools and the commercial exploitation of research results.
• Cooperation to identify funding opportunities and programmes, both at European and national level. Networking and exchange of know-how, in order to cooperate in the submission of proposals in their context.
• Testing of innovative systems / technologies, through the simulation models available to CERTH.
• Co-organization of an annual event to raise awareness of the cooperation between EY and CERTH, and to promote the relevant results.

The creation of a quality framework of cooperation between EY Greece and CERTH will contribute to the utilization of cutting-edge know-how. Also in the development of innovative technological applications and new products and services.

Panagiotis Papazoglou, EY Greece

"The interconnection of research centers, entrepreneurship and innovation is a necessary condition for a sustainable economy. At EY, we invest in innovation, believing it has the power to make a difference, transform the way we live and work, and create long-term value for the economy and society. In this direction, through the cooperation with CERTH, we jointly help Greek businesses to gain access to more financing schemes to develop innovative solutions and technologies applicable to the real economy, thus helping to solve key challenges that cannot be addressed in conventional ways.

Dr. Dimitrios Tzovaras, EKETA

"We are particularly pleased to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with EY Greece, an organization with extensive experience in providing integrated services, which support, among other things, businesses to prepare for the digital future. This initiative lays the foundations for the launch of cooperation. A collaboration that provides ample opportunities for creative interaction between the two actors while creating a significant and beneficial impact for the country's society and economy."