GREECE Trends and Developments Contributed by: Stathis Orfanoudakis, Theodore Konstantakopoulos and Yolanda Antoniou-Rapti, Zepos & Yannopoulos
is becoming more vibrant and attractive to local and international investors alike. Digitisation of Businesses The continuous technological change and digiti- sation of business models constitute an unprec- edented challenge, especially for larger con- glomerates with complex corporate structures. Traditional companies recognise the need to adopt advanced tools such as AI and the inter- net of things (IoT) to meet customer needs and competitive requirements. In this context, acqui- sitions, acqui-hires and strategic partnerships are essential for obtaining necessary know-how and skills. By way of example, a traditional manufacturing company might acquire a tech start-up special- ising in IoT solutions to integrate smart sensors and data analytics into its production process- es. Similarly, a financial institution might form a strategic partnership with a fintech company to leverage its expertise in blockchain technology and enhance its digital payment systems. These collaborations enable established companies to quickly adapt to technological advancements and stay competitive in the market. Cybersecurity: Strengthening Cyber- Resilience Cybersecurity ensures that the benefits of pro- gress driven by technological innovation are protected from malicious actors. Within the EU, cybersecurity remains a top priority, with efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks and enhance cyber-resilience. The Cyber-Resilience Act (CRA) and the Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive framework are key leg- islative developments aimed at creating a secure digital environment. These regulations mandate that companies implement robust cybersecurity
measures to protect their digital assets and cus- tomer data. In Greece, the long-awaited Greek Law 5160/2024 transposing the NIS2 Directive into national legislation came into force on 29 November 2024. Additionally, the EU is investing in initiatives to enhance cyber-resilience across member states, including funding for cyberse- curity research and development and the estab- lishment of cybersecurity centres of excellence. These efforts are designed to ensure that busi- nesses can innovate safely and that consumers can trust the digital services they use. Addition- ally, the use of AI tools in cybersecurity is also becoming increasingly significant, as it facilitates the ability to identify and respond to threats more rapidly and accurately than traditional methods. Reassessing M&A Priorities New technological capabilities for executing deals keep arising on a regular basis and deal- makers are putting increased focus on techno- logical skillsets, compliance standards, and per- sonnel. This comprehensive approach ensures that potential risks are identified and mitigated early in the transaction process. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has accel- erated the adoption of digital tools and remote work, making it essential for M&A stakeholders to evaluate the targets’ digital capabilities and readiness for a hybrid work environment. Due diligence exercises are now not only focusing on the financial, tax and legal aspects of busi- nesses, but also on the tech components thereof – thus making technical due diligence an integral part of M&A transactions. This includes assess- ing the robustness of targets’ IT infrastructure, the effectiveness of their remote collaboration tools, and their ability to maintain productivity and security in a distributed work setting.
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