O2hub is the digital platform of Growthfund’s subsidiaries for the distribution of Open Data and Open programming interfaces (Open APIs).

O2hub aims to exploit the dynamics of open data produced by Growthfund’s subsidiaries, through the creation of an open technological and human ecosystem of knowledge, collaboration and data. O2hub aspires to contribute to growth, entrepreneurship, innovation, digital transformation and transparency among key players of the Greek society and economy and in sectors such as energy, environment, transport, networks, infrastructure and supply chain.

Open data is free and accessible. Available in a way that we can leverage their value with a positive social and business impact.

Open APIs are free and automatic processes to extract useful information in real time from the data source. We use them to build valuable applications and services.

The availability of open data (excluding personal information) and open APIs by Growthfund’s subsidiaries entered its pilot phase in December 2021. The pilot phase of O2hub has the direct aim of mobilizing public and private sector entities to exploit open data and emerging technologies such as big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence, etc.

In Greece, there is a dynamic workforce that is looking for creative ways to innovate and can support the local economy and entrepreneurship. In addition, there is a high concentration of academic and research institutions that have great expertise in applied sectors of society and economy and can utilize open public data.

In this context, O2hub can be a useful tool for the promotion of digital innovation and entrepreneurship and for the implementation of new applications and proposals from Greek businesses, start-ups, researchers, etc.

O2hub is based on best practices of international state of the art open data & API portals. The main features of the pilot version are the availability of selected open data sets from Growthfund’s subsidiaries, the support of participation and cooperation processes for the implementation of innovative services and applications, as well as the organized collection of citizens’ requests and needs for the open availability of selected datasets.

Through the open data catalogue, it is possible to directly submit requests, questions or issues about the data, with the aim of continuous improvement of the platform through the active participation of every involved party.

O2hub also offers services for management, access, processing, analysis and visualization of data and metadata that are openly shared. The implementation of O2hub is based on open standards and open technologies.

The value of Open Data

The availability of open data, i.e., datasets of non-personal data from the public as well as the private sector, that are free for processing and reuse by third parties, are today one of the main pillars of the development of the economy and entrepreneurship worldwide. Open public data serves all three key goals of open governance: transparency, accountability, and participation, while helping to increase business productivity and competitiveness.

Open data is the fuel of the digital economy, an important resource to be exploited by public and private entities, as well as researchers, to develop applications and innovative models of start-up entrepreneurship that benefit the economy and society in general.

Open data, big data and data-driven innovation (DDI) have become a key growth pillar of the 21st century, with the prospect to significantly improve productivity, resource efficiency, economic competitiveness and social well-being.

Growthfund is a holding company founded in 2016 with the sole shareholder being the Greek State, as represented by the Minister of Finance. Its mission, as the National Investment Fund of Greece, is to take an active role in the modernization of state-owned enterprises (SoEs), to maximize the value of public property, to ensure upgraded services for citizens/consumers and to contribute to the national economy.

Growthfund’s portfolio includes subsidiaries and participations in state-owned enterprises, that are active in key sectors of the Greek economy, such as Real Estate: Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund SA (HRADF), the Hellenic Public Properties Company SA (HPPC), GAIAOSE, ETVA-VIPE, Helexpo; Energy and social services of general interest: DEI, EYDAP, EYATH; Public Transport and Infrustructure: Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), OASA, AEDIK, 23 regional airports; Central Markets and Fishery Organizations (OKAA SA), Thessaloniki Main Market (KATH); Hellenic Saltworks SA, Technology Faistos (5G), and the Hellenic Post (ELTA).

Growthfund’s assets under management have a value of EUR 6 bn and the total number of employees in its subsidiaries is 31.000.