Chr. Dimas: In a few months we will have a contractor for the creation and operation of the first State of Innovation

The second phase of the public international competition is nearing completion, with the process of competitive dialogue, in order to emerge the contractor that will undertake the task of creating the first State of Innovation in the old facilities of CHROPEI.

As Christos Dimas, the responsible Deputy Minister of Development & Investment, characteristically stated in APE-MPE: “In a few months we will have a contractor for the creation and operation of the first State of Innovation”.

The State is waiting for the proposals from the investment schemes on the proposed partnership agreement and then, the Ministry of Development & Investment -estimated in the summer- will send the final draft of the partnership agreement and based on this the investment schemes will submit their binding offers. .

The Undersecretary told APE-MPE that leading companies from all over the world, coming from the global network of technology and innovation, have already expressed intense interest in this project and noted: “The implementation of the project is expected to put Greece in the first The gathering of scientists, researchers, startup companies and talented young entrepreneurs located inside and outside Greece, will help the Center to develop into an innovation hub that will affect the wider region. of the Balkans and Southeastern Europe “.

The project concerns the creation of a natural space for innovation in which research and development (R&D) departments of large and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups, technologists, researchers and academic institutions are expected to coexist. The synergies between them will aim at the production of innovative products and services for the benefit of the Greek state, society and the economy in general.

The ambition of the State of Innovation is to become the headquarters of innovation in the wider region and to function as a “hive” that will nurture some of the best ideas of tomorrow. In this way, the talented Greek scientists and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to develop their talent and implement their ideas in an organized space from Greece, as is the case in similar major cities abroad, thus contributing to reverse the brain-drain.

For the implementation of the project, an abandoned property located in the heart of Attica is utilized. The choice of the old factory of CHROPEI, on Piraeus Street, with an area of ​​17,893 sq.m., has both a symbolic value, as this space has an important history in innovation in the last century, and a substantial value because it has been unexploited for over three decades. At the same time, it was deemed suitable due to the geographical location between Athens and Piraeus and the easy transport access. Finally, it is expected to help in the urban regeneration of the area, bringing even closer to the center of Attica with the port of Piraeus, causing even greater development prospects.

The investment is expected to reach 100 million euros, without being borne by the Greek State since the cost of construction and operation will be borne by the private sector. With the implementation of the Innovation Center, there will be significant benefits for the development of the wider region of Attica, but also for Greece in general. The Center is expected to accommodate more than 2,000 employees.

The candidate investment schemes involved in the competitive dialogue are the following:

* Figure 1

Implementing Agency: DIMAND – MYTILINEOS (manufacturer)

Innovation Agency: Fundacio Privada Parc d’Innovacio tecnologica i empresarial La Salle (Technological Park of Barcelona)

* Figure 2:

Implementing Agency: GEK TERNA

Innovation Agency: a) MANTIS BUSINESS INNOVATION b) Found.ation Maker’s Place Private Company (Business Incubator)

* Figure 3:

Implementing Agency: AKTOR

Innovation Agency: PATRAS SCIENTIFIC PARK

* Figure 4:

Implementing Agency: INTRAKAT

Innovation Agency: FACTORY INTERNATIONAL SARL