He works for more than 20 years in the digital world and is his head Creative Lab of Google, in which "some of the most interesting ideas are born". THE Steve Vranakis, of Greek origin, born in Canada, works in London, but closely follows the Greek Startups scene. It was found in Greece within its framework Cosmote Startup and spoke at in.gr for startups businesses, the "secret of their success" but also how he sees the situation in Greece:
Recently in Greece Startups are multiplying freely. Is it just a new trend or something deeper?
It's not just a trend that we follow because others are doing it in different parts of the world. It is more a movement. Young people understand that the only ones responsible for their future, their destiny and what they will do to the world are the same. And when you realize that there are no longer endless jobs like the past, you enter into another mentality, much more innovative and entrepreneurial. And technology can accelerate this mentality.
There was a time when young people aspired to work in the public sector. The reality now is that things have changed and young people are looking at all the alternatives available to them. And when you have limited alternatives, you become much more resourceful. I'm a big believer in creative controversy. If you offer infinite tools, time and human resources, it will be very difficult to create something worthwhile. But once you put limitations on time, money and human capital, then you see innovation. You see people do things you thought were impossible. It is unfortunate that the financial one happened crisis, όμως οι πιέσεις που δεχόμαστε μας αναγκάζουν να κάνουμε κάτι, τόσο για τη χώρα μας όσο και για τους εαυτούς μας. Έτσι, μας μαθαίνουν να δημιουργούμε Companies, they teach us how to export our ideas.
The world of them Startups are made for a few and exclusive privileges or can everyone benefit?
When I entered the Internet, 1993 understood that when you overcome the initial obstacle, it does not discriminate. You are now "in" and have all that infrastructure and abilities to do something. So, this is not a political or economic issue. The cost of computers and Internet access has fallen too much and it is up to you to do something. So I do not believe that only the few and privileged are earning. In Greece, things are different from the outside. We do not see the crazy valuations in the United States. Here start companies that may not be targeted at the local market but use the youthful labor market to make their ideas come true. One of the great advantages of Greece is that it has a surplus of available scientists and engineers. This means there are many smart and talented people who can shine if they have the right environment.
Migration outside of Greece is a one-way street for a successful one Startup;
You can start an idea in Greece, as the country can act as a first-class springboard, and then export it to the United States, Europe or anywhere else. And at the same time capitalize on the human capital that exists in Greece to do all the planning and development you need. Even if the company leaves the country, it can create jobs in Greece. And this model is very different from countries like India. The issue is not to come to Greece only for lower wages and Greek workers should not be paid lower than abroad. There is a huge talent pool that can be used by the company and those people who want to stay in Greece. So, those who leave Greece will be able to maintain a relationship with the country by making use of the workforce.
Behind every successful company there are dozens or even hundreds of ideas that have failed. Is there finally a magic recipe and a "secret of success"?
If you're not failing, you're probably not learning. At Valley αναπτύσσονται νέες εταιρείες και οι δημιουργοί τους αποτυγχάνουν τρεις ή τέσσερις φορές πριν καταφέρουν να πετύχουν. Και αυτό δεν είναι θέμα τύχης, αλλά συμβαίνει γιατί κάθε αποτυχία τους μαθαίνει και κάτι. Πρέπει να αγκαλιάσουμε την αποτυχία και εφόσον δεν είναι καταστροφική, δεν θεωρώ ότι είναι κάτι κακό. Οι άνθρωποι στη Silicon Valley φορούν την αποτυχία σαν παράσημο. Από την άλλη, υπάρχει ένα οικονομικό κόστος σε κάθε αποτυχία, ουσιαστικά όμως δεν χρειάζεται πλέον πάρα πολλά χρήματα για να ξεκινήσεις μια νεοφυή επιχείρηση, ούτε δεσμεύεσαι με μακροχρόνια συμβόλαια. Πλέον το μόνο που χρειάζεσαι είναι μια απόδειξη της ιδέας σου, δεν απαιτούνται εκατομμύρια δολάρια ή ευρώ για να προχωρήσεις. Και ακόμη και αν μια ιδέα δεν πετύχει σήμερα, μπορεί σε ένα ή δύο χρόνια, σε μια διαφορετική αγορά μπορεί να έχει καλύτερη τύχη.
You would invest in some Greek startup;
If I could, of course. Due to my position in the company, I am not allowed. But I'm helping a lot of Greek companies And I do not have to invest directly by making money out of my pocket as long as I can help them improve their company and as soon as I do that, it's like investing. I do not need to earn 10 million to be happy, as long as one learns what I say and help him start his business.
You lived in Greece two years ago as a speaker at TEDx Athens. What has changed since then?
When I was at TEDx two years ago, I was telling them that if anyone could videotape that day and cut it off in 30 seconds, it was the best advertisement for Greece. You saw the best of the country, artists, scientists, musicians, not just technology. It was a "Renaissance" for Greece. But then this was a small "island" and the rest of the country was not like that. Now, however, this small group has "grasped" many others and has led them to think differently. All you need to do is have more! We are still in the early stages, but there is a lot of momentum.
Interview: Dimitris Pefanis
