Funding No Longer Top Challenge for Greek Scale-ups, Deloitte Survey Finds

Greek high-growth companies, or scale-ups, remain optimistic about their trajectory, according to a Deloitte survey. However, their primary focus has shifted from securing funding to attracting new clients and driving commercial expansion. This pivot reflects a maturing business landscape where market penetration and revenue generation are now the key challenges.

International growth is a significant priority, with the United States emerging as the top target market for 24% of Greek scale-ups. The United Kingdom and Germany follow as key expansion destinations. Despite this outward focus, a notable finding is that only 33% of these companies have a structured exit plan, the lowest percentage among surveyed countries in the EMEA region. This suggests a potential gap in long-term strategic planning for investors and founders.

The survey also highlighted internal challenges. A substantial 34% of Greek scale-ups reported hiring freezes, largely attributed to difficulties in finding specialized talent. Furthermore, one in five companies indicated that Artificial Intelligence has not yet had a significant impact on their operations, pointing to a slower adoption rate compared to other regions or a focus on different technological priorities.

Across the broader EMEA region, the scale-up ecosystem shows strong growth orientation, with 90% of companies expressing positive future outlooks. Market demand and commercial growth are the main concerns for 60% of businesses, while 70% are seeking additional funding. Companies that successfully convert demand into revenue, expand into new markets, and effectively leverage AI are expected to lead the next growth cycle in the region.