A memorandum of cooperation was signed by the Hellenic Development Bank (HDB) and the Hellenic BioCluster (HBio). The aim is to develop and encourage entrepreneurship in the health and biotechnology sector through innovation and extroversion.

The two organisations will explore the possibility of partnerships in the framework of supporting innovative entrepreneurship and export growth. Through the exchange of knowledge, synergies between the actions organised by the Hellenic BioCluster with the corresponding actions of the HDB. The aim is to identify in the best possible way the needs and funding gaps in the sector, highlighting good practices in Greece and abroad, while supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in the field of Health.

Emphasis will be placed on the formation of the conditions for accelerating collaborations of Greek companies for the creation of international competitive schemes. Services will be offered - with schemes that will be created - to promote the contribution and role of the Greek life sciences industry to the global community. HBIO members will also be given access to the digital networking/matchmaking platform "InnoAgora–powered by HDB".

Objectives of the cooperation with the Hellenic Development Bank

The ultimate goals of accessing the platform are:

• interconnection with international ecosystems
• further enhancing extroversion
• the raising of investment funds
• finding trading partners

Pantelis Tzortzakis, vice president of the Hellenic Development Bank

"It is with great pleasure that we strengthen the partnership with Hbio, a cluster that produces remarkable work for the ecosystem of the companies, which are active in the Biohealth branch .With the support of HDB in terms of planning and providing better access to financial tools, as well as networking through the InnoAgora digital platform we will enhance the competitiveness and extroversion of companies".

Ioanna Koukli, President of Hellenic Biocluster

"Hellenic Biocluster systematically seeks strategic partnerships for the development of entrepreneurship in the healthcare and biotechnology sector. The business and research activity of our members is distinguished by high innovation and extroversion and we believe that HDB is a key partner to achieve our goals".