George Tziralis

George Tziralis is a prominent figure in the Greek startup ecosystem and a Partner at Marathon Venture Capital. Here's a comprehensive overview of his background and achievements:

Professional Background

George Tziralis is a Partner at Marathon Venture Capital, a venture capital firm based in Athens, Greece.13 He has been instrumental in shaping the Greek startup landscape, having started the first entrepreneurial community and funds in the country.2

Investment Focus

As a venture capitalist, Tziralis focuses on early-stage investments:

• Investment Range: $100K - $5.0M
• Sweet Spot: $1.5M
• Current Fund Size: €70M
• Investments On Record: 471

He has invested in various sectors, including Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Cybersecurity, Education, and BioTech, with a particular emphasis on pre-seed and seed-stage startups.1

Entrepreneurial Journey

Tziralis's journey in the startup ecosystem began in 2007 when he was trying to turn his Ph.D. research into a startup. Recognizing the lack of a supportive community for entrepreneurs in Greece, he organized a small event that grew into a monthly gathering, eventually attracting hundreds of like-minded individuals.2

Vision and Philosophy

Tziralis is known for his belief in the potential of Greek entrepreneurs and his commitment to addressing the challenges they face, particularly the lack of capital and relevant advice. His approach to venture capital is characterized by:

• A focus on being early and starting small
• A preference for working with highly motivated founders
• A willingness to challenge the notion that certain things "cannot be done" in the Greek context2

Notable Investments

Some of the notable companies in Tziralis's investment portfolio include:

• Causaly: Raised $66M across multiple rounds
• Hack The Box: Raised $67M, including a $55M Series B
• Cube RM: Raised $9M across seed and Series A rounds1

Impact on the Ecosystem

Through his work at Marathon Venture Capital, Tziralis has played a significant role in proving that substantial technology companies can be built in Greece. He has progressively raised the bar for startup success in the country, aiming to build companies valued at $10M, then $100M, and now even higher.2

George Tziralis continues to be an influential figure in the Greek and European startup ecosystems, leveraging his experience and network to support the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovative companies.