One of the largest private investment of the decade is being launched in Greece, of more than € 1.5 billion. This is the International Center for Research and Innovation to be developed in Greekin the context of its strategic cooperation Lamda Development with the investment fund Ion Group of the Italian billionaire Andrea Piniataro.
Lamda Development’s work in Elliniko, projected to be completed by 2030, will include two development zones with a total construction of 250,000 square meters, of which at least 50,000 sq.m. They will be state -of -the -art office, 1,000 seats for international events, as well as residential developments that will exceed 200,000 sq.m. It is estimated that it will host about 2,000 specialized professionals from 44 countries, acting as a hub of technology, research and digital transformation.
This investment is not limited to strengthening the work of Hellenic, but reinstalls Greece on the international map of technology clusters, offering prospects for the Athenian Riviera and the wider economy. At the same time, the fund’s participation with 2% in Lamdadevelopment’s share capital reflects confidence in the future of the project, enhancing its capital base and international appeal.
Behind this grand investment is Andrea Piniataros, one of Europe’s strongest entrepreneurs and the second richest Italian according to Forbes (April 2025), with a fortune of more than $ 35.7 billion – other estimates reach 36.4 billion. built an empire at the heart of financial markets.
Born in 1970 in Bologna, he studied Economics at the University of the City and then acquired a doctorate in mathematics from Imperial College, London. In 1994 he began his career as a trader bond at Salomon Brothers in London, but just three years later he founded the Ion Investment Group, initially in collaboration with Salomon and the Italian List software company. In 1999 he took over the audit and transformed the ION into an independent company.
The development of ION has been stormy. Piniatro has made more than 20 acquisitions within two decades, turning the group into one of the largest software and financial institutions in the world. In 2021 it invested more than € 3 billion for the acquisition of Cedacri and Cerved, while in 2024 it acquired the historic prelios (formerly Pirellirealestate) for € 1.35 billion, reinforcing its position in the Italian real estate and loan management market.
The wealth of the Piniatos, however, is not limited to Europe. It has invested nearly € 300 million in Canouan Estate, a 1,280 -acre ownership in Agios Vincent and Grenadines, which includes luxury villas, hotel facilities and high quality infrastructures. In St. Moritz, Switzerland, he maintains his main residence, enjoying life with discretion, and is also known for his love of sailing.
Despite its wealth and power, its name was in 2025 at the focus of tax evasion investigation of around € 500 million, a case arranged with an agreement of € 280 million in five installments to the Italian government. This development has not hit his reputation as one of the most active and insightful investors of his generation, which is methodically moving in the field of high technology, financial services and real estate.
His entry into Greece through Lamda Development is not a random choice. The country today has competitive tax incentives, a strong strategy in the field of digital economy and – mainly – sufficient space for the development of large infrastructure with this investment, Andrea Piniataro confirms his reputation as a player who not only follows the developments but shapes them. And Greece, through Theellinikon, acquires a unique opportunity to place it at the core of European innovation, while enhancing its economy, entrepreneurship and its image in the international investment scene.