Signed a Memorandum of Cooperation during Beyond 2026

Joint actions to strengthen innovation, leverage data and develop professional skills are provided for in the Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the Association of Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology Enterprises of Greece (SETPE) and the National Documentation Centre (EKT).

The Memorandum was signed by the Chairman of SETPE’s Board of Directors, Anastasios Manos, and the Director of EKT, Dr Kyriakos Tolia, during Beyond 2026, which took place from 17 to 19 June 2026 at Metropolitan Expo in Athens.

The agreement between the two organisations provides a more structured and systematic framework for their existing cooperation, focusing on areas of particular importance for technology companies. As stipulated, SETPE and EKT will develop, among other initiatives, synergies for the exchange of expertise and best practices, the support of business information and advisory activities, the education and training of professionals, the promotion of research and innovation, as well as the exploration of opportunities for participation in national and European programmes.

For the small and medium-sized technology enterprises represented by SETPE, this cooperation holds particular significance, as it provides opportunities to access evidence-based knowledge, reliable data, international networks and initiatives that can support their extroversion and growth-oriented strategy.

“With the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with EKT, we are taking an important step towards establishing a more systematic collaboration between the two organisations. We aim to leverage EKT’s expertise in data management, digital infrastructures and the connection of knowledge with entrepreneurship. We have already designed joint initiatives for our members, and our goal is to move forward in the coming period with new initiatives delivering tangible results,” said the Chairman of SETPE’s Board of Directors, Anastasios Manos.

“The cooperation between EKT and SETPE creates a new and meaningful framework for supporting the creative and innovative small and medium-sized technology enterprises represented by the Association. By leveraging EKT’s expertise, infrastructures and data, as well as SETPE’s direct connection with companies in the sector, we aim to develop joint initiatives for information sharing, networking, extroversion and skills development, with a practical impact for the Association’s members and the Greek ICT ecosystem. In this direction, the services and international networks of Enterprise Europe Network Hellas, coordinated by EKT, can further enhance opportunities for collaboration and international outreach,” noted EKT Director, Dr Kyriakos Tolias.

Following the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation, a roundtable discussion was held on the topic “Growth through Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, Risks and the Path Forward for Greek IT Companies”.

The discussion featured Nikolaos Tzollas, Deputy Regional Governor for Digital Governance of the Region of Central Macedonia; Georgios Lekakos, Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business and Director of the MSc Programme in Management Science and Technology; Dr Christos Kalloniatis, Member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority; Dr Kyriakos Tolia, Director of EKT; and Anastasios Manos, Chairman of SETPE’s Board of Directors. The discussion was moderated by journalist Vangelis Liakogkonas.

The discussion focused on the opportunities emerging through Artificial Intelligence for Greek IT companies, as well as on the conditions required for its responsible adoption – data protection, skills development, technological adaptation, competitiveness and the connection of innovation with the real needs of the market.

It is worth noting that SETPE had a strong presence at Beyond 2026, the International Digital Technology & Innovation Exhibition, through an organised group pavilion that hosted eight of its member companies: ALPHABIT, COMITECH, elpra, EPI SYSTEMS, IID, LANCOM, ROBOVISION and ViLabs. SETPE’s participation highlighted the breadth, expertise and dynamism of the Greek technology ecosystem, as visitors to the pavilion had the opportunity to discover original solutions, innovative applications and integrated products addressing critical needs of the modern economy.