Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies

What Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies does

The Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies (Ελληνικό Ινστιτούτο Στρατηγικών Μελετών / ELISME) is a Greek independent, non-partisan think tank founded in 1994 and headquartered in Athens. It conducts geopolitical research, analysis, and strategic studies focused on Greek national interests, including Greek-Turkish relations, Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans, the Middle East, defense, and security topics. Its core products are the quarterly journal "Problimatismoi" (Προβληματισμοί), categorized research studies (Μελέτες), monthly informative bulletins edited by retired Ambassador Alexandros Katranis, public positions, and a daily maritime geopolitical forecast produced by the Centre for Geopolitics and Maritime Strategy Studies. The institute also operates a library, a student internship program, and hosts seminars, conferences, lectures, and book presentations both in-person and via ZOOM/YouTube.

The institute operates as a member-supported non-profit, funded primarily through annual membership subscriptions of 50 EUR per year, which provide access to publications, events, seminars, and the quarterly journal. Its distribution model is built on the elisme.gr website, an embedded Google Calendar, six social media channels (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn), and a small email newsletter with approximately 51 registered subscribers. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by retired Lt. General Ioannis Baltzis, and it has formalized a Memorandum of Cooperation with Webster University Athens covering lectures, internships, and a 30% tuition discount for members. Customer-wise, ELISME serves a horizontal persona segment of professionals, academics, military personnel, diplomats, and citizens interested in Greek foreign policy and strategic studies, with no disclosed enterprise customers and no named large sponsors or institutional donors.

Name

Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies

Legal name

Ελληνικό Ινστιτούτο Στρατηγικών Μελετών

Website

https://elisme.gr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies (ELISME) is an independent Greek non-profit think tank in Athens that conducts geopolitical and strategic research, publishes the quarterly journal "Problimatismoi," and serves military, diplomatic, academic, and business professionals interested in Greek national interests.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Research and Policy Analysis

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Intelligence (Strategic, Tactical & Technical) (BPAIAHAD)

Keywords

• Geopolitical research
• Strategic analysis
• Think tank
• Policy research
• Foreign policy studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership subscriptions: The institute is funded primarily through annual membership fees. Members pay a yearly subscription of 50 euros which provides access to publications, seminars, events, and the quarterly journal 'Problematismoi'.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies (ELISME) is an independent, non-partisan Greek think tank that conducts geopolitical research, publishes analyses on foreign policy, defense, and national interest, and disseminates its work through a quarterly journal (Problimatismoi), categorized research studies, monthly bulletins, and public positions. It complements these publications with an events program of seminars, conferences, lectures, and book presentations offered both in-person and via ZOOM/YouTube Live, plus a student internship program and a strategic studies library.

Product overview

The Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies (ΕΛ.Ι.Σ.ΜΕ.) is a non-partisan, independent think tank focused on public discourse regarding geopolitics, foreign policy, and national interest matters. The institute operates as a unified research organization offering multiple interconnected services: its core publication is the quarterly journal "Προβληματισμοί" (Problimatismoi), complemented by categorized research studies (Μελέτες), monthly informative bulletins, and public positions. The institute also hosts events including seminars, conferences, and book presentations (available in-person and via ZOOM/YouTube), maintains a library, and provides student internship programs. Publications span topics including Greek-Turkish relations, Cyprus, defense, international relations, energy, and regional studies covering the Balkans, Middle East, and Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Προβληματισμοί: The institute's quarterly journal covering strategic studies and geopolitical analysis

Products and services

• Problimatismoi Quarterly Journal (Προβληματισμοί) Quarterly academic journal covering geopolitical, strategic, and national interest topics including Greek-Turkish relations, Cyprus, defense, and international affairs; included with annual ELISME membership.
• Research Studies (Μελέτες) Categorized long-form research publications covering national foreign policy, internal national affairs, defense-security, international relations-geopolitics, international organizations-law, international economy-energy, Balkans-Black Sea-Caucasus-Central Asia, Middle East-North Africa, Americas, Asia, Africa, and various topics.
• Monthly Informative Bulletins (Μηνιαία Ενημερωτικά Δελτία) Monthly newsletters providing updates on Greek, European and international developments, edited by Ambassador (ret.) Alexandros Katranis.
• Public Positions of ELISME (Δημόσιες Τοποθετήσεις ΕΛΙΣΜΕ) Official public statements and positions issued by the institute on matters of national interest.
• Event Hosting Services (Seminars, Conferences, Lectures, Book Presentations) Organization of seminars, conferences, lectures, book presentations, and workshops on strategic studies topics, available both in-person and via ZOOM/YouTube live streaming, with attendance certificates provided to participants.
• Student Internship Program (Πρακτική Άσκηση Φοιτητών) Practical training program for university students, providing experience in strategic studies research and the institute's publication processes.
• Library Services (Η Βιβλιοθήκη του ΕΛ.Ι.Σ.ΜΕ) Access to the institute's library collection of strategic studies materials and published works.
• OHiMAG Daily Global Maritime Geopolitical Forecast Daily maritime geopolitics forecast prepared by the Centre for Geopolitics and Maritime Strategy Studies.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Webster University Athens (Webster University)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2024Memorandum of Cooperation signed on 29/1/24. Collaboration includes lectures, seminars, cultural events, student internships, and specialized teaching by ELISME members. Scholarships offered to members: 30% discount on tuition for all education levels, upon ELISME recommendation. Instruction in English.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP): Greece's most prominent foreign-policy and European affairs think tank, headquartered in Athens. Directly comparable to ELISME as a Greek policy-research organization producing analysis, events, and publications on European and international affairs, but with significantly larger scale and EU funding.

Broad incumbents

• RAND Corporation: US-based research organization conducting rigorous analysis on defense, security, and international policy. Comparable in producing structured research studies on strategic topics, though operates as a far larger contractor-driven institution.
• Atlantic Council: US-based think tank focused on international affairs and transatlantic security with active programs on Eastern Mediterranean and NATO-related topics. Comparable in producing geopolitical analysis relevant to Greece and the broader Mediterranean.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): London-based global institute publishing strategic studies including The Military Balance and Strategic Survey, plus regional/geopolitical analysis. Comparable in focus area (strategic and defense studies) but operates at much larger, global scale with multiple offices.
• Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Major US bipartisan policy research organization focused on defense, security, and international affairs with frequent publications and events. Comparable in producing geopolitical analysis and convening policymakers, though much larger and more government-aligned.
• French Institute of International Relations (IFRI): Paris-based think tank producing research on international relations, defense, and European security. Comparable in producing geopolitical analysis and convening events, though operates at much greater scale with broader European reach.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Global research organization producing independent analysis on international affairs, security, and democracy. Comparable in non-partisan, research-driven model targeting policy and academic audiences.
• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): London-based think tank producing independent analysis on international affairs with a member-supported model. Comparable in being a membership-driven research organization publishing on strategic and geopolitical topics, though at far greater global scale.

Regional players

• German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP): Berlin-based research institute providing policy advice on international politics and security. Comparable as a European strategic-studies research organization with a government-advisory mandate, though serves German rather than Greek interests.
• SETA (Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research): Turkey-based think tank producing research on politics, economics, foreign policy, and security; comparable as a regional strategic-studies research organization, though its geographic and policy focus (Turkey/Middle East) makes it an analytical counterpart for Greek-Turkish-relations research rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elisme_heliss
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@elisme
• Facebookfacebook.com/elisme.gr
• Instagraminstagram.com/elisme_heliss
• TikToktiktok.com/@elisme_heliss

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hellenic Institute for Strategic Studies