From Goldman to Greece

In 2011, amidst Greece's economic crisis, Alexis Pantazis and Emilios Markou took a bold leap by leaving their jobs at Goldman Sachs to launch Hellas Direct, a digital-first insurance company aimed at transforming the outdated practices in the insurance sector. Recognizing a significant gap in the market, they sought to provide high-quality insurance products at competitive prices, cutting through the red tape and middlemen that plagued the traditional system. Fast forward to today, Hellas Direct has expanded its reach beyond Greece into Romania and Cyprus, serving over 900,000 customers and attracting significant backing from major investors like Portage Ventures and the IFC. In 2022, they introduced Wallet+, a digital wallet that streamlines all vehicle-related costs through loans from partner banks, further establishing Hellas Direct as a trailblazer in mobility finance and showcasing their commitment to innovation in an evolving market.

Hellas Direct in Three:

• What problem is Hellas Direct solving? Hellas Direct solves inefficiencies in the Greek insurance sector by eliminating middlemen and outdated practices.

• What’s innovative about Hellas Direct? Their digital-first approach streamlines insurance services and introduces Wallet+, a digital wallet for vehicle financing.

• Who can use Hellas Direct? Hellas Direct serves individuals seeking insurance and financing for vehicle-related expenses.