About us

Who we are | Our values & Philosophy | Our People | Career at DECA

Who we are

We are a private equity firm focusing on investing in Greek companies that have the potential to grow and become better: better places for their employees, generating above average value for their shareholders, and contributing
to the country’s economic growth while protecting the environment.
We do this by teaming up with creative entrepreneurs and strong management teams to grow, improve, and transform these companies, working day by day, action by action, from the bottom up.

Headquartered in Marousi, Athens, Greece

Employs 14 people

The first company to be licensed as an AIFM (Alternative Investment Fund Manager) by the Hellenic Capital Markets Commission in July 2014

Exclusive Investment Manager for Diorama Investments Sicar, S.A. (“Diorama I”) and Diorama Investments II RAIF, S.C.A.(Diorama II”)

Our Values & Philosophy

Values

We always strive to be the most responsible investor and owner of companies within the territory we operate in.
Our two most important assets are our reputation and our people.
We all work hard to keep each of us excited and proud of what we do: building up better, more valuable companies that measurably help their immediate environment, always observing the laws and our written or oral agreements.
This is the surest way to protect the other half of our assets, our reputation.

Philosophy

Deca Investments focuses on companies in which a combination of their management quality, sector dynamics, and fundamentals indicate that the expected risk-adjusted return will be attractive. These are companies with a proven track record, strong export potential or import substitution capability, and the potential to grow profitably. Deca Investments actively supports its portfolio companies by adding value, promoting good governance, and improving operational efficiency and acting responsibly within the social environment they operate.

Investments made for Diorama I include ΕΖΑ, PharOS, Minerva, Lariplast, Viva Wallet, Axel Accessories, Adam Pack, InternetQ, Damavand, and Atlas Tapes.

Our People

We strive hard to attract, maintain, and develop the best people available in the market. Every single employee shares in the financial rewards of our success.

Nicos Koulis | Partner – Chief Executive Officer

Nicos spent 18 years in New York with McKinsey & Co., The First Boston Corporation and Bear Stearns, where he reached the level of Sr. Managing Director. In 2002 he moved to Greece where he spent eight years in advisory, before joining Eurobank in 2010 as head of private equity operations. With Deca since inception (2014).

John Kalantzis | Partner – Chief Investment Officer

John has more than 20 years of experience in the capital markets, focusing on the financial analysis and valuation of Greek and SEE companies, across all sectors. He served as ahead of the equity research department of Eurobank, the leading research team according to Thomson Extel for several years. With Deca since inception (2014).

Nicos Aliprantis | Partner – Risk & Value creation

Nicos has more than 25 years of experience in the corporate, investment banking and the overall credit markets with Eurobank. His experience also includes serving for several years as general manager of a large retailer. Nicos has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of numerous companies in Greece and SEE. With Deca since inception (2014).

Alex Katsouridis | Partner – Sourcing & Value creation

Alex has more than 25 years of experience in wholesale & investment banking with Citibank, Millennium BCP and Eurobank. His experience includes advising on and structuring M&A transactions, equity and debt issuance and private equity transactions for both large and SME Greek companies. Prior to joining Deca, Alex set up his own financial advisory boutique. With Deca since inception (2014).

Konstantinos Dermanis | Partner – IR & Value creation

Konstantinos has 16 years of experience in private equity and investment banking with Eurobank in Greece and Credit Suisse in London. He has advised Greek companies on more than 40 transactions valued at EUR seven bn across several sectors. With Deca since inception (2014).

George Dimitroulis | Principal

George spent three years as an analyst at the investment banking division of NBG, advising large corporates on M&A, ECM and DCM transactions. He holds an MBA from London Business School. With Deca for more than five years.

Evi Fourka | Associate

Evi worked at Eurobank’s Investment Advisory division, before moving on to the Investment Banking division of IBG where she was involved in a series of M&A, ECM and DCM transactions in the private sector and privatization projects for the public sector. With Deca since 2016.

Lefteris Kotsinis | Analyst

Lefteris completed his BSc in Accounting and Finance in 2018. Concurrently with his studies, Lefteris worked as an intern at Papastratos SA for six months in both sales and marketing departments. With Deca since 2019.

Spyros Paterakis | Analyst

Spyros holds a MSc in Finance from Imperial College London and a BSc in Accounting & Finance from AUEB. Following the completion of his studies, Spyros worked for three years at PwC Deals department, providing financial advisory to domestic and international clients. With Deca since 2022.

Christos Kontos | Analyst

Christos holds a BSc in Banking and Financial Management from U. of Piraeus and is a CFA Level 3 candidate. Christos worked for four years at PwC Deals department (reaching Senior Associate level), providing capital structure and M&A advisory services to clients. With Deca since 2023.

Despoina (Depy) Ioannidou-Machaira | Analyst

Depy holds a MSc in Finance from Bayes Business School (formerly Cass) and a BSc in Economics from UoM. Depy worked for almost two years at Aksia’s Investment Research team, conducting due diligence on primary, co-investment and opportunistic private credit investments. With Deca since 2023.

Eleni Skeparnia | Operations Manager

Eleni has 19 years of experience, primarily in financial institutions. She held the position of Internal Auditor in Attica Bank (2011-2019) and in Attica Wealth Management MFMC (2001-2011). With Deca since 2019.

Iris Gkila | Executive Assistant

Iris has 20 years of experience, She worked as an Executive Assistant of the Chairman and CEO at Babis Vovos S.A. construction company (1992-2012). With Deca since 2014

Evgenia Charalambous

Evgenia holds a University Degree in Political Sciences and Public Administration from Kapodistrian University of Athens. Evgenia worked for three years as a secretary in a Law Firm. With Deca since 2018.