Why shouldn’t Computer Science graduates lead the way in Greek tech entrepreneurship? After all, “logic and math is your vehicle, your legs and feet, and the more powerful and muscular they are, the further they will take you”.
These are the words of my professor, Georgios Georgakopoulos, who sent me the warmest of congratulations messages after my recent lecture back at the place where I began my “career”. Where? The University of Crete’s Computer Science Dept. in Heraklion, of course.
Last month I shared my empirical observations with current students from my 18-year long journey in Greek tech entrepreneurship to date. It just so happened that Prof. Georgakopoulos also attended and shared his thoughts with me afterwards.
And so although this is something a little unorthodox on this blog, I hope you don’t mind me sharing his feedback with you. A lot of you may be Computer Science graduates or students yourselves so it may ring true.
Greek tech entrepreneurship is in safe hands
Before I share his feedback, for those of you that don’t know, Prof. Georgakopoulos received his PhD in 1989 from the National Technical University of Athens, Greece. And his main research interests are in the broader area of Theory of Computation and Algorithms.
Quite frankly I’m shocked that Google haven’t coming knocking on his door yet. I’m sure it’s because Prof. Georgakopoulos is not one to try and hog any limelight. Anyway, I digress. On to the future of the Greek tech entrepreneurship powered by Computer Science.
As I mentioned, the purpose of my speech was to talk about not only the global market trends in entrepreneurship, but also to encourage engagement within the Greek and European tech entrepreneurship community.
Here’s what Prof. Georgakopoulos commented:
“It was a great honor for me to be given the opportunity to listen and learn from one of my students. Taking the role of the student this time, I was there among other students, and what a pleasure it is when you finally have the honor to listen and learn from one of your students. Believe me, that is the essence of teaching.”
“As long as my intuition can confirm my key points are the following: you should try to occupy yourself with things that you are keen on, or even better things that you love. Because that is when you give your days, your years and your life genuine meaning.”
Solving problems vs. loving products
“It’s true that when you deal with the problems of the application or software solution you are building, it’s not the products that you love. Neither is it those applications or software that you develop that gives you drive. It is the genuine love of solving problems. And if there’s one thing Greek entrepreneurship needs, it’s people who can solve problems.”
“Getting help and assistance is always useful but it should come as an additional option. Not by default. Above of all, you need to stand on your own two feet and count on your strengths. And here’s where the theoretical background of Computer Science comes in. Because it is logic and math that is your vehicle, your legs and feet, and the more powerful and muscular they are, the further they will take you.”
People count more than you think
“Something what your speech reminded me of is that yes, relationships based on trust, faith, teamwork and integrity of character are more important than anything else. And these kinds of relationships that have helped Greek tech entrepreneurship arrive where it is today. Also, we don’t need to focus locally. There is a wide range of opportunities for software developers here in the East Mediterranean. Especially in Greece and in Crete – even if your target market is North America and the EU.”
The future is bright
“To conclude, when active, dedicated and dynamic personalities like you Dimitris, who are as I like to call, “informaticians”, come to the fore, it reassures me to no end. And it also gives me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. If there’s anything I can offer from my side in future then I will do it with all my heart.”
