Dutch embassy in Athens celebrates one year of Orange Grove

“We did it because youth unemployment is a big challenge for Europe and especially for Greece, where we have also observed a large wave of migration. It’s our small contribution to the growth of the Greek economy,” Dutch Ambassador Jan Versteeg said at a press conference, celebrating the first birthday of Orange Grove.

“Everyone is looking for investments. There’s a lot of competition there. However, we start by utilising good ideas in Greece, to benefit the country itself,” he added.

Summing up the facilitations provided by the Dutch embassy to startups, he said “we provide the workplace, the network of connections we have as an embassy with Greek and foreign companies, organisations and universities, having already a good experience in Amsterdam with innovative companies.”

“We work aiming to provide a commercial aspect to innovation, to utilise the talent of young people and company employees and to bring a closer connection with the market, startups and universities,” he said.

“Talent in Greece is undervalued,” Versteeg said. The ambassador has a personal interest in Orange Grove and has been congratulated in his country for exercising modern diplomacy through these actions.

At the moment, Orange Grove is assisting 34 new companies, mainly in the field of agricultural products, tourism, health and sports. About half of those are one-person companies and one third are run by women.

“Our purpose is to bring more young people to Orange Grove,” Versteeg said, referring on the prospects of the project, adding “to widen our connections worldwide and to support economically the more mature members through an award process."