Is Athens a Good Place to Launch a Startup?

Where you start your company still matters – but sticking too closely to one location might limit what you’re able to build. In today’s startup landscape, geography shapes your path – but it doesn’t have to define your potential.

Athens has emerged as a strong hub for entrepreneurship, offering access to funding, talent, and infrastructure. But with growing competition, rigid local programmes, and support often reserved for the most polished startups, relying solely on what’s nearby can slow you down – or hold you back.

In this article, we’ll explore what Athens gets right – and where founders often run into friction. We’ll also show how EWOR offers an alternative: a global, remote-first platform that gives you access to funding, mentorship, and community – no matter where you’re based.

1. Access to Funding in Athens

Funding is one of the most critical ingredients in building a successful startup – and Athens offers a growing ecosystem of support. From venture capital firms to government grants and angel investors, founders in this region have several pathways to raise capital and gain early traction.

Athens' early-stage funding scene is active, supported by local VC firms like VentureFriends, Marathon Venture Capital, and Metavallon VC, who are key players in seed and early-stage investments. Government initiatives such as Elevate Greece and the Hellenic Development Bank of Investments (HDBI) also provide crucial support and co-invest with funds. Angel investors and networks like the Business Angels Network Greece (BANG) are increasingly participating in funding rounds. Despite overall investment growth in the Greek ecosystem, particularly in later stages, securing early-stage funding remains a challenge, with seed-stage funding reportedly dropping by 53% in 2023 according to one report. Regulatory hurdles and a need for increased investment in early-stage startups are also noted challenges.

A More Flexible Path Forward

In the wake of these challenges, founders don’t have to rely solely on local funding options. EWOR offers a more flexible path – providing up to €500,000 in early-stage capital But EWOR is more than a cheque. Our capital comes bundled with personalised support, investor-ready storytelling, and access to a network of over 400 active European investors – many of whom regularly participate in our Grand Pitch events. On average, EWOR fellows who complete the programme and pitch go on to raise €2 million in follow-on funding – over 10x more than founders from comparable European initiatives.

2. Innovation and Startup Culture  

Athens has become a centre of innovation, with numerous tech hubs, coworking spaces, and accelerators that foster creativity and new ideas. The local startup culture is vibrant, with a growing community of entrepreneurs working together to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Athens has a thriving and growing startup ecosystem with significant entrepreneurial activity. The city is home to numerous coworking spaces like The Cube, Impact Hub, and Stone Soup, fostering collaboration and providing flexible work environments for freelancers and startups. Regular tech events, meetups, and conferences, such as those hosted by INNOVATHENS and Startup Grind Athens, offer networking and learning opportunities. While there are standardized programs and accelerators, like those offered by Found.ation and others, there's also a focus on providing tailored support and mentorship to early-stage founders through various incubators and initiatives. The ecosystem is supported by government initiatives, VCs, and an active angel investor community, aiming to nurture companies from the idea stage onwards.

For many entrepreneurs, the energy and resources available in Athens can provide the ideal environment to test new ideas and gain early traction. The collaborative atmosphere allows founders to connect with fellow innovators and build networks that can help their startups grow.

While the local startup culture is vibrant, the support founders actually receive can be hit or miss. VCs might offer funding but little time. Angel investors often give advice, but it’s scattered and inconsistent. What’s more, many accelerators rely on a one-size-fits-all model that doesn’t reflect the needs of exceptional founders. In fast-moving, competitive ecosystems like Athens, standing out is hard enough – getting the right kind of support shouldn’t be.

The Alternative to Cookie-Cutter Programmes

Finding a programme that truly adapts to your journey, not the other way around, is rare. However, EWOR offers the kind of depth and flexibility that many local programmes simply can’t match. Instead of following a fixed curriculum, our fellowships are modular and tailored – giving you the right support at the right time, based on where you are in your journey.

But the real strength of EWOR goes beyond structure. Fellows often describe the community as the most unexpected – and valuable – part of the experience. As some have put it: “The real magic lies in the community: the kind of conversations, insights, and connections that lead not only to breakthroughs – but to lasting friendships with some of the most fascinating people they’ve ever met”.

3. Talent and Workforce Availability

One of the greatest assets of launching a startup in Athens is access to a skilled and diverse talent pool. With universities producing top-tier graduates in technology, business, and other fields, startups can tap into a wealth of expertise to help grow their teams.

Athens has a growing talent pool for startups, fueled by its educational institutions and a skilled workforce. Universities like the National Technical University of Athens and the Athens University of Economics and Business contribute significantly to the tech talent pool, particularly in engineering and computer science. While there's a need for experienced tech talent, especially front-end and full-stack engineers, the city offers skills in areas like front-end, data science, finance, security, systems, and AI. The local talent, including a high percentage of university graduates, supports entrepreneurial growth through a dynamic tech scene and a supportive community of entrepreneurs, mentors, and accelerators. Government initiatives and a growing number of incubators and accelerators further enhance the ecosystem.

Like funding, competition for talent can be fierce, especially for highly specialised roles in fields like software development or AI. For startups looking to scale quickly, hiring the right people at the right time can be a challenge, leading some founders to look outside the region for remote talent solutions.

Get Global While Local

While hiring locally in Athens can be competitive and slow, EWOR gives you instant access to a global network of exceptional talent. Built by founders for founders, the EWOR team has launched and exited companies worth over €12 billion – and they bring that experience directly into your venture. It's not just about funding or surface-level advice; it's akin to having a co-founder from day one. 

The team collaborates closely with you to refine your idea, challenge your thinking, and support you through real-world decisions – just like a hands-on partner would. Moreover, with EWOR’s exclusive co-founder pool, you can find the right person to build with, regardless of their location.

4. Infrastructure and Support Systems

Athens boasts a strong infrastructure that supports the growth of new businesses. From modern office spaces to high-speed internet, entrepreneurs have access to everything they need to run their startups smoothly. Government policies may also provide tax breaks, legal support, and other incentives that make starting a business more attractive in this region.

Athens offers a robust ecosystem for startups, featuring numerous coworking spaces, tech parks, incubators, and accelerators like EGG - Enter Grow Go and Found.ation. These provide mentorship, networking, training, and sometimes funding. Funding opportunities include government grants such as ESPA and Jeremie funds, local VC firms, and angel investors. The government actively supports the ecosystem through initiatives like Elevate Greece, which identifies and supports promising startups, facilitates connections with investors, and offers resources and state aid schemes. Tax incentives for new businesses and R&D credits also play a role. This infrastructure and support help startups grow and succeed in a diverse market emphasizing technology, tourism, and shipping.

But what looks good on paper often proves more complicated in practice. Bureaucracy can be time-consuming and opaque, especially for first-time founders unfamiliar with local laws. Incorporation takes longer than expected. Accessing public funding often means navigating slow processes, strict requirements, or hard-to-reach advisors. And operational costs – from accounting to regulatory compliance – can quickly eat into early budgets. 

A System That Moves With You

With access to expert guidance, practical legal resources, and a network of experienced entrepreneurs who’ve built across a range of regulatory systems, EWOR is well positioned to help founders navigate the bureaucratic and legal complexities that often come with building in Athens. Instead of wasting time figuring things out alone, you’ll have the tools and support to stay focused on what matters most – growing your venture.

And while we’re remote-first, our support is anything but distant. Through in-person gatherings like the EWOR House, city-based meetups, and our twice-yearly Grand Pitch event, you’ll still build meaningful relationships with investors, peers, and mentors. It’s a system that helps you focus on building – not just dealing with paperwork.

Can Athens Be Considered the Best Place to Launch a Startup?

There’s no doubt that Athens provides a vibrant environment for startups, with access to funding, innovation, talent, and infrastructure that can help entrepreneurs build successful businesses. For many, it’s a strong contender for the best place to launch a startup, thanks to its growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and support systems.

Entrepreneurs launching startups in Athens face several challenges. Competition exists across various sectors, although specific details on the intensity in Athens were not extensively detailed in the search results. Regulatory hurdles and bureaucracy are noted as significant issues, with complexities in tax structure and a lack of clear legislative distinction between startups and SMEs presenting difficulties. While some sources suggest a competitive cost of living compared to other European hubs, others highlight the impact of the recent fiscal crisis on the cost of living. Accessing early-stage funding can also be a hurdle for Greek startups. Despite these challenges, initiatives are in place to support the ecosystem.

However, it’s important to remember that the location of a startup is no longer the be-all and end-all. In today’s digital age, location-independent options like EWOR allow entrepreneurs to access world-class mentorship, funding, and resources from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re based in Athens or elsewhere, EWOR’s remote programmes are designed to support founders no matter where they are located.

So, while Athens offers significant advantages, it’s worth considering options like EWOR that enable you to launch and scale your startup with global support – whether you’re in the heart of a bustling startup hub or working from a quiet corner of the world.

Image credits: by Andreas Brücker on Unsplash