In 2023 we celebrated the 6th year of the OPAP Forward, a program designed to support and accelerate the growth of high-impact Greek Small & Medium Businesses, by offering them unique opportunities to broaden their entrepreneurial horizons, develop rapidly, unleash their full potential and generate new jobs.
The mission of the program is the selection and integrated support of developing companies, that constitute the backbone of our economy, so that their growth will lead to job creation and wealth generation for the Greek market. Specifically, aspiring entrepreneurs and founders, through the program can find:
Integrated Strategic Guidance
Functional Training
Access to Investors
International Market Prospects
Networking
As the largest entrepreneurship program in Greece, OPAP Forward has created a community of and actively supported 68 companies in 5 key industries (food and beverage, agriculture, commerce/retail, manufacturing, and new technologies), that in total generated over €1.1 billion revenues and created more than 25.000 direct and indirect jobs in 2022.
Emphasis on Small and Medium Enterprises
Developing small and medium enterprises play a very important role in the social and economic fabric of our country. Their growth and increase in productivity create new jobs at a time when the unemployment problem is quite acute. In addition, they are the key to restoring economic growth and an important driver of innovation for the Greek market.
The important results of the program
The 68 companies that attended the first 5 cycles of "OPAP Forward", managed to increase, to date, their total revenues by 470M euros and create 2,847 new direct positions. At the same time, through the partnerships developed in the market, they support 23,083 new indirect jobs.
With 32 active companies and 49 alumni spanning 10 regions, our community thrives with diversity, boasting a commendable 19.75% female representation, while the latest cohort, selected from 121 applications, is set to be announced soon. The synergy within our network reflects our commitment to supporting innovation and growth.
“OPAP Forward” is implemented within the framework of OPAP's Corporate Responsibility, in collaboration with Endeavor Greece.