Organization · Incubator
Science & Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C)
The Science and Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) is a technology incubator and innovation hub located in Heraklion, Crete. Established in 1993, it promotes research, innovation, and entrepreneurship by hosting over 25 tenant companies, including SMEs and startups.
Overview
What Science & Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) does
What Science & Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) is
The Science and Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) is a technology incubator and innovation hub located in Heraklion, Crete. Established in 1993, it promotes research, innovation, and entrepreneurship by hosting over 25 tenant companies, including SMEs and startups.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports program host and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Incubator
- Founded
- Founded in 1993
- Approximate age
- About 33 years
- Structured capabilities
- Program host · Community
- Last reviewed
- April 11, 2026
What Incubator means
An incubator is a support environment for turning a nascent idea or early company into a startup that is more ready for customers, funding, or an accelerator.
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Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Science & Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) as a program host
Program thesis
The Science and Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) promotes research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, acting as a central innovation hub for the Region of Crete.
Focus narrative
STEP-C focuses on technology transfer and the commercial exploitation of research outcomes. It supports innovative start-ups through its incubator, promotes entrepreneurship, and provides tailored training to students, researchers, and business executives. The organization also assists research groups in commercializing their results and managing intellectual property rights.
Value and support
STEP-C offers support for start-ups and spin-offs through its Business Incubator, facilitates researcher mobility and collaboration via the EURAXESS Network, and promotes academic innovation through the Ideas Incubator.
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- Europe · Global
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable tenant companies at STEP-C include ANIXE NET, a technology company; THE BEST COMPANY, an e-commerce platform; BIOMIMETIC, focused on biomimetic technologies; bioPix-T, a biotechnology firm; Chemicon Empowering Science, in the scientific sector; Cisco Internetworking Systems Hellas SA, a subsidiary of Cisco Systems; Codasip, specializing in processor design; CrediaBank, a financial services provider; and MCBS, involved in business consulting.
Capability profile
Science & Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) as a community
Community overview
The Science and Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) was founded in 1993 by the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), one of Greece's largest research organizations. STEP-C serves as FORTH’s primary vehicle for promoting research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, acting as a central innovation hub for the Region of Crete. It collaborates closely with local academic and research institutions and occupies approximately 4,000 square meters of office and laboratory space, located about 10 km outside the city of Heraklion.
Community focus
STEP-C focuses on technology transfer and the commercial exploitation of research outcomes. It supports innovative start-ups through its incubator, promotes entrepreneurship, and provides tailored training to students, researchers, and business executives. The organization also assists research groups in commercializing their results and managing intellectual property rights.
Member value
Members benefit from access to office and laboratory space, tailored training programs, and support in commercialization and intellectual property management. The incubator provides essential resources for start-ups and spin-offs to thrive.
Membership
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- in-person
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Students · Researchers
- Benefits
- mentorship, network-access, and certification
- Program types
- incubator and community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Regions
- Europe
Community activity
Events and activity
STEP-C organizes various events, including workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration among start-ups and research institutions.
Notable members
Notable tenant companies at STEP-C include ANIXE NET, THE BEST COMPANY, BIOMIMETIC, bioPix-T, Chemicon Empowering Science, Cisco Internetworking Systems Hellas SA, Codasip, CrediaBank, and MCBS.
Common questions
What to know about Science & Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C)
Upseed classifies Science & Technology Park of Crete (STEP-C) under the Incubator organization type. Its current public profile includes program host and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 11, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.