ΤΑΜΕΙΟ ΑΞΙΟΠΟΙΗΣΗΣ ΙΔΙΩΤΙΚΗΣ ΠΕΡΙΟΥΣΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΔΗΜΟΣΙΟΥ
The Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund S.A. (HRADF) was established in 2011 according to its founding Law No. 3986/2011 with an initial mandate to leverage the State’s private property assigned to it by the Hellenic Republic. HRADF operates to serve the public interest, according to the rules of the private economy. The utilization development and utilization of public property are implemented in accordance with the prevailing market conditions and with guarantees of full transparency. HRADF adopts and implements the Asset Development Plan (ADP), which is reviewed every six months and is authorized by the Government Council for Economic Policy (KYSOIP).
HRADF’s philosophy is to act as a strategic partner for the Greek State to attract investments, enhance the Greek economy’s growth potential, strengthen its international credibility, and produce national wealth.
The Fund is a growth multiplier. Its mission is to maximize Hellenic Republic’s revenues by developing public assets and creating added value for the Greek economy, the people, investors, the local communities, the labor market, and the environment.
Objective Action
The goal of the programme is to accelerate the green transformation of the shipping and port industry, which will be achieved a) through the support and development of startups that provide innovative and sustainable commercial solutions on the path to Climate Neutrality and Resilience, and b) through the interconnection of ports and marinas with selected start-ups, aimed at promoting innovative pilot applications.
This initiative is aimed at a specific general public that includes different groups, such as:
Startups
This initiative was aimed at start-ups around the world that are active in the port and shipping industry, since the relevant request published in early 2023 had no geographical restrictions. As a result, the accelerator request was successfully concluded, as start-ups from 2 different continents (Europe and Asia), and, specifically, from different countries, submitted proposals.
Shipping/port industry enterprises seeking solutions
The initiative concerns all businesses in the above sector seeking solutions to the challenges related to energy transition and adapting and responding to climate change. A number of ports and marinas in HRADF's portfolio are participating in this accelerator, as the Fund aims at enhancing the connectivity of its port infrastructure with the research and development sector, and promoting and implementing innovative pilot applications.
Investment community
The initiative concerns domestic and foreign green technology and innovation investors.
Duration
The actions of the ‘MENA MARITIME ACCELERATOR’ for this year began in January 2023 and are expected to be completed in December of the same year, when the demo day will take place and the start-ups are ready to make the final presentation of their ideas to interested investors.
Description
The global shipping and port industry is facing enormous challenges in terms of its energy transition and contribution to global climate neutrality. Research, technological development and innovation will play a key role in addressing these challenges and maintaining the competitiveness of those involved in this transition.
However, sector enterprises around the globe have identified in themselves an inability to easily connect to the innovation ecosystem, as well as a lack of information and awareness on issues related to sustainable development and climate change. Moreover, developments in the relevant regulatory framework are so rapid that enterprises on their own cannot keep pace.
In this context, the ‘MENA MARITIME ACCELERATOR’ offers the selected startups training through a series of targeted seminars, guidance from experienced mentors, evaluation of their technology readiness level (TRL), support through funding, and networking with the industry. It offers investment opportunities, technological solutions, and increased R&D connectivity to the sector's participating enterprises. Finally, HRADF, in collaboration with Athena RC and the MENA Maritime Accelerator network, has designed and implemented a series of seminars, adapted and targeted to the needs of port infrastructure, which are addressed to these enterprises' administrative and operational personnel and concern sustainable development issues. The seminar topics were prioritised by the participating organisations themselves at the introductory workshop of the ‘MENA MARITIME ACCELERATOR’.
In the call published in January 2023, a total of 18 start-ups from 6 different countries submitted proposals. Finally, 13 start-ups were selected from 6 different countries, namely Greece, Cyprus, Germany, Bulgaria, Malta, and Taiwan, with innovative solutions in areas such as decarbonisation, detection of water and air pollution, detection of fuel waste in ports and coastal areas, digitalisation, weather forecasts via artificial intelligence models, and the use of clean energy. The proposals were evaluated by Cyprus University of Technology, Cleantech Bulgaria, and ATHENA RC, based on, among other things, the stated needs and preferences of the port infrastructure participating in the accelerator.
For more information on the selected start-ups, see the following links:
The accelerator's first introductory workshop took place on 7 April 2023 at ATHENA RC's facilities, aiming to present the MENA Maritime Accelerator, introduce the representatives of the Port Authorities and Municipal Port Funds, as well as the managers of marinas in Greece, to the Financial-economic, Social, and Environmental aspects of Sustainability, identify good practices and common challenges that ports and marinas are facing today, and plan the topics of subsequent workshops.
On 19 and 20 June 2023, a Matchmaking Event was held between Port Authorities, municipal port funds, marina managers, and shipping companies from Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Spain, with the final startups selected for the MENA Maritime Accelerator.
Presented below is the schedule of the accelerator training workshops and seminars (those that have already taken place and those that will take place) designed for start-ups.
Matchmaking Event: Start-up training in Athens & matchmaking with port representatives
Monday 19–Tuesday 20 June 2023, Location: Piraeus Port Authority
Training workshop on: ‘Customer profile and the decision-making process'
7 September 2023 (14:00-17:00), Online
Seminar on: ‘Creating partnerships with the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute’
21 September 2023 (16:00-17:00), Online
Training workshop on: ‘Startup Financials’
5 October 2023 (14:00-17:00), Online
Seminar on: ‘Expanding into the U.S. market’
19 October 2023 (16:00-17:00), Online
Training workshop on: ‘How to present your product and service to investors and clients’
9 November 2023 (14:00-17:00), Online
Seminar on: ‘Pitching your idea’
23 November 2023 (16:00-17:00), Online
Training workshop on: ‘Environmental Regulatory Framework’
7 December 2023 (14:00-17:00), Online
Seminar on: ‘Quantification and Acceleration of ESGs and SDGs’
21 December 2023 (16:00-17:00), Online
Demo Day, where start-ups will present their work
November/ December 2023, Location: TBC
Regarding the seminars and workshops on sustainable development/ESG issues addressed to the administrative and operational personnel of ports and marinas of Greece, their subjects were prioritised by the participants themselves through a specially designed online survey, the results of which were validated during the MENA Maritime Accelerator introductory workshop. The accelerator seminar and workshop schedule is presented below (both those already implemented and upcoming events):
Workshop aimed at introducing Sustainability – Financial-economic, Social, and Environmental aspects
Friday, 7 April 2023 (14:00 - 17:00), Location: ATHENA RC
1st Seminar on: Blue Growth, Sustainable Shipping & Ports
Friday, 26 May 2023 (13:00 – 15:00), Location: online
Matchmaking Event: Start-up training in Athens & matchmaking with port representatives
Monday 19–Tuesday 20 June 2023, Location: Piraeus Port Authority
2nd Seminar on: Green Energy, Energy savings, Energy Communities
Thursday, 29 June 2023 (12:00 - 14:00), Location: online
3rd Seminar on: The institutional framework for sustainability and circular economy in commercial and tourism ports
Thursday, 28 September 2023 (10:00 - 12:00), Location: online
4th Seminar on: Digital transition, Corporate sustainability criteria, and Sustainable transformations
Thursday, 26 October 2023 (10:00 - 12:00), Location: online
Workshop aimed at developing pathways to bridge innovation and port challenges
Thursday, 30 November 2023 (12:00 - 14:00), Location: ATHENA RC
Initiative Location
MENA MARITIME ACCELERATOR workshops and seminars take place in person and online. Solutions can be implemented throughout the world, depending on where there is interest in collaboration.
The ‘MENA MARITIME ACCELERATOR’ is a multi-stakeholder partnership that brings together broader public sector entities, private organisations, non-profit organisations, and academic institutions. The founding members of the programme are the ‘Athena’ Research Centre (https://www.athenarc.gr/en) and Chrysalis LEAP (www.chrysalisleap.com), The Cyprus Energy Agency (www.cea.org.cy), the Cyprus Climate Hub of Cyprus University of Technology (www.climatehub.org.cy) and Cleantech Bulgaria (www.cleantech.bg). The programme has a large number of partners and supporters, including HRADF (together with the Port Authorities in its portfolio). Detailed information on the partner agencies can be found on the accelerator’s official page:
A large number of people from all the involved organisations participating in the accelerator worked closely and in a coordinated manner to implement the project. A major effort has also been made to communicate to as wide a public as possible the accelerator’s educational actions, with the aim of including and involving people interested in sustainable development issues in the relevant sector, both through press releases and with the assistance of the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME) and the Greek Marinas Association. The accelerator’s introductory workshop sent an open invitation to all Port Authorities, municipal port funds and marina managers in Greece, and the response was positive, with the participation (online or physically present) of representatives from 12 Port Authorities (Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Patras, Lavrio, Kavala, Elefsina, Rafina, Volos, Igoumenitsa, Heraklion, Alexandroupoli, and Corfu), 4 Municipal Port Funds (Mykonos, Ios, Kos, and Chersonissos), the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME), and 2 Marinas (Flisvos and Plous Odysseas). These seminars were also attended by students and graduates from relevant schools, HRADF personnel and external partners who support the Fund in the maturation of environmental studies and port Master Plans, Growthfund executives, etc. More information is available at the following links:
This initiative brings multiple benefits for all participating organisations. The shipping industry, ports and marinas (Challenge Owners) recognise and define more precisely the environmental challenges they face, as well as the existing solutions offered by start-ups, thus mitigating risk. Furthermore, engagement with the accelerator provides an opportunity for Challenge Owners to identify investment opportunities and technological solutions, thus increasing their R&D connectivity. At the same time, start-ups selected to participate in the programme receive guidance, access to an extensive Training Programme, and a link to the industry and investors.
