The Science & Technology Park of Crete (Greece)

The Science & Technology Park of Crete (Greece)
Good practice in eco-innovation support in the region of Crete


The Science & Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C), is based in Heraklion and was established in December 17, 1993 as an initiative of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), with the financial support of the EU (STRIDE), the National Government and the Region of Crete. STEP-C is based in the establishments of FORTH (Foundation of Research & Technology) and is one of the most important research centers in Crete. It constitutes an intermediate body aiming to support the development of innovative enterprises in the region of Crete and operates a) as an administrative department of the Foundation for Research and Technology (FORTH) and b) as an incorporated company responsible for the management and development of the property of FORTH. Staff of Step–C consists of 6 administrative employees who currently support the 20 innovative enterprises hosted in the park. The main shareholders of the incorporated company representing STEP-C are FORTH, Piraeus Bank, and 20 small stakeholders including regional and private public bodies such as the Association of Cretan Municipalities and Communities, Plastika kritis, Agro-systems, Intracom, etc.

The mission of STEP-C is to assist so that innovation may constitute the third development pole of the region of Crete, next to agriculture and tourism. Its strategic objectives are carried out on the following three types of activities:

- Provide support services to the enterprises established in the park
- Attract new enterprises to settle and develop new products and services
- Cooperate with public and private bodies outside the park by providing special training courses for their staff.

Considering environmental protection, STEP-C is aimed never to host any new enterprise whose products or services may cause harm to the environment. Moreover, STEP-C participates as partner in various programs and projects aiming to raise environmental awareness both in public and private sector. The main benefiters of STEP-C are Enterprises hosted in the park and Young researchers. 
Since its establishment, STEP-C supported the business development of approximately 45 companies and developed various projects in order to promote innovation and entrepreneurial activity in Crete.

Most of them are related to ICT and biotechnology and some of the most successful examples of spin-off and researchers’ companies are:

  • FORTHnet SA
  • FORTH Photonics SA
  • COMP-ITE SA
  • FORTH med
  • INFOCHARTA LTD
  • VIRTUAL TRIP LTD
  • CYTECH LTD
STEP-C, in collaboration with FORTH, encourages companies to join the Park and become major vehicles of the Technology Transfer process. In particular, STEP-C:
  • Collaborates with the private sector for the establishment of New Technology Based Firms 
  • Collaborates with Venture Capital firms for spin-off financing  
  • Assists in the development of Licensing agreements
  • Supports students and researchers to start up new firms.
 
 
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