Launch of the HDB Academy – Development Tools for Empowering Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
The progress of the implementation of the financing programs of the Hellenic Development Bank (HDB), which exceeded €1.74 billion during the first five months of 2025, was presented today by the Alternate Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, together with the Management of HDB, during a Press Conference held on the occasion of the launch of the HDB Academy—a new, modern, digital knowledge platform for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
As highlighted by the CEO of HDB, Ms. Ismini Papakyriellou, and the Chairman of HDB, Mr. George Zavvos, according to data as of May 2025, financing has already been allocated as follows:
- €833 million to SMEs
- €907 million to individuals through the programs “My Home II” and “Upgrade My Home”
Through its 10 available financial instruments—including TEPIX III, the Microfinance Fund, the Just Transition Development Fund, the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Fund, the Guarantee Funds, and DELFI—HDB provides a total of €4 billion in favorable financing for SMEs.
To date, HDB has supported 71,729 loans totaling €13.1 billion, benefiting 53,500 businesses and 18,200 individuals, while 73.4% of the financed enterprises employ up to 10 employees, underscoring the Bank’s strong focus on micro and small businesses.
During the press conference, extensive reference was also made to the Bank’s eight non-financial support tools for strengthening entrepreneurship, which now include the HDB Academy.
The HDB Academy is a free digital platform designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises at all stages of their development. It offers:
- Educational content covering start-up entrepreneurship, innovation, financial management, digital transformation, ESG topics (Environment, Social, Governance), and internationalization.
- Practical tools, useful guides, and ready-to-use templates, serving as a user-friendly reference point for entrepreneurs seeking to grow and evolve their businesses.
- Diagnostic tools, webinars, and a business terminology index, enhancing decision-making capabilities and overall competitiveness.
The Alternate Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, emphasized:
“The launch of the HDB Academy, this free digital information and training platform for small and medium-sized enterprises, is part of the overall strategy of the Government and the Hellenic Development Bank to enhance the competitiveness, productivity, international outreach, and innovation of Greek entrepreneurship, as well as to broaden SMEs’ access to the banking system. This valuable tool is added to HDB’s actions totaling €17.6 billion for the benefit of the economy and society, contributing to the creation of 300,000 jobs, with 73.4% of financed businesses employing fewer than 10 employees. With planning and determination, we are accelerating reform initiatives with the central objective of increasing the economy’s dynamism and added value, expanding the social dividend, and ultimately boosting employment and incomes for all citizens.”
The Chairman of HDB, Mr. George Zavvos, stated:
“Strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises requires access to knowledge and the cultivation of a modern entrepreneurial culture. With the HDB Academy, the Hellenic Development Bank takes a decisive step to offer Greek entrepreneurs not only financial instruments, but also the necessary knowledge base to succeed in an ever-changing environment. Investment in education and information is a cornerstone of sustainable development, and this is precisely the mission of our new platform.”
The CEO of HDB, Ms. Ismini Papakyriellou, added:
“At the Hellenic Development Bank, we invest in Greek entrepreneurship and in the people behind it—in their skills, their ideas, and their vision for growth. With the new digital HDB Academy platform, we are creating a channel for the transfer of substantive know-how, designed in close alignment with the financial instruments we implement and develop. Our goal is a modern, open, and free learning environment, accessible to every entrepreneur, professional, or young person seeking practical tools to take the next step. The HDB Academy is a dynamic community of knowledge and empowerment, contributing to a more resilient and innovative entrepreneurial future for Greek society.”
