From Market Builder to Regional Catalyst: The HDBI Story
The Hellenic Development Bank of Investments (HDBI) was established with a clear mission: to shape a dynamic investment ecosystem in Greece and position the country as a bridge between Southern Europe, the Balkans, and the Middle East. As Greece’s sovereign Fund of Funds, HDBI is the cornerstone of the country’s innovation financing architecture, mobilizing long-term capital into venture capital and private equity funds that back high-potential Greek and regional enterprises.
With a current portfolio of 35 active funds (April 2025) and over €2 billion in assets under management, HDBI plays a catalytic role in scaling the country’s professional investment landscape and unlocking access to finance for startups and SMEs.
HDBI is host partner for the upcoming Tech Tour Investors Summit 2025, which will gather the region’s top investors in Athens this June 19-20.
A Strategic Role in Fostering Growth
HDBI’s investment approach is designed to nurture a sustainable, innovation-led economy. Through carefully selected fund managers, it channels capital into sectors such as deep tech, health and life sciences, ICT, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable infrastructure — all aligned with EU and national strategic priorities.
By seeding first-time funds, supporting emerging managers, and reinforcing established teams, HDBI helps crowd in private capital and increase the depth of financial options available to entrepreneurs at every stage. These funds, in turn, contribute to job creation, technological advancement, and economic diversification.
A European Institution with Regional Reach
HDBI’s strength lies in collaboration. It actively co-operates with key European institutions including the European Investment Fund (EIF), Bpifrance, KfW Capital, TESI and others, aligning Greece’s investment framework with best practices in governance, risk management, and impact reporting.
Beyond Europe, HDBI plays a bridging role, fostering investment relationships with institutional players and sovereign wealth funds from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Middle East, and Southeastern Europe (SEE). This positioning enables HDBI to act as a gateway for regional innovation capital, while supporting fund managers in developing cross-border co-investment and syndication strategies.
Anchoring the Fund Management Industry in Greece
One of HDBI’s most tangible impacts is the growth of Greece’s venture capital and private equity landscape. The institution has been instrumental in anchoring many of the country’s most active and visible investment teams — including first-time managers who may not have otherwise had access to institutional backing.
This support has catalyzed the professionalization of the Greek fund industry. HDBI’s portfolio spans generalist and sector-specific strategies, early-stage and growth-stage vehicles, and impact-focused funds — creating a diverse and resilient investment base. As of today, its partner funds have backed hundreds of Greek-founded companies, many of which are gaining international traction.
A Culture of Long-Term, ESG-Aligned Capital
ESG principles are central to HDBI’s DNA. As a public institution, HDBI incorporates sustainability and responsibility into every stage of its fund selection and monitoring processes. It encourages fund managers to integrate ESG not only as a reporting requirement but as a driver of value creation, risk mitigation, and alignment with future-oriented capital.
As part of its broader ecosystem-building role, HDBI also contributes to capacity-building on ESG practices, hosts workshops, and supports the sharing of knowledge across its network. This long-term perspective ensures that capital flows into companies and sectors that serve economic, social, and environmental resilience.
Ecosystem Outcomes, Not Just Investment Returns
While HDBI does not invest directly in startups or scaleups, its impact is visible through the performance and evolution of its fund managers. Many of its partner funds have achieved meaningful fundraising milestones, secured foreign LP commitments, and participated in high-quality deals that demonstrate the maturity of the Greek tech ecosystem.
Moreover, the presence of a robust Fund of Funds has helped elevate the credibility of Greece among global investors. It has encouraged talent repatriation, strengthened academic-industry linkages, and facilitated the emergence of serial entrepreneurs who are now shaping the next generation of ventures.
Partnering for Progress: Tech Tour and Beyond
HDBI’s collaboration with Tech Tour exemplifies its mission to expand global connectivity for Greece’s innovation ecosystem. As host of the Tech Tour Investors Summit 2025, HDBI helps bring together LPs, GPs, and institutional investors from across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeastern Europe to explore co-investment opportunities and thematic capital formation.
These efforts align with HDBI’s broader strategy: to connect Greek fund managers with international capital, to highlight investable sectors, and to elevate the region’s profile as a destination for innovation-led growth.
What’s Next for HDBI?
Looking ahead, HDBI is focused on building depth and specialization within the investment landscape. This includes:
- Supporting new funds in areas like energy transition, life sciences, and defense tech;
- Advancing ESG integration and impact measurement frameworks;
- Deepening cross-border collaboration with development institutions and sovereign investors; and
- Expanding co-investment mechanisms to crowd in private capital.
With a growing portfolio, strong European and international alliances, and a clear public mandate, HDBI remains committed to fostering long-term capital markets in Greece and transforming the country’s innovation economy — not just for today, but for the decades ahead.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join us at the upcoming Investors Summit 2025 in Athens, which will gather the cream of the crop among the region’s active investors.
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