The case unpacks the growth story of PeopleCert, the first “unicorn” of Greek origin. Focusing on the strategic dilemmas faced at different stages of its development and on its unceasing pursuit of breakthrough technology to address customers’ needs, the narrative reveals how the company managed to disrupt the centuries-old space testing and certification process.

The digitalization of businesses and business processes is widespread but unequal. It has left gaps between small and large enterprises, more vs. less knowledge-intensive workers, desk vs. non-desk employees, and between industries, business units, and regions.

In 2001 Veropoulos Spar, a 770 million Euro retailer in Greece and the Balkan region, intiated the implementation of a new Internet enabled collaborative ordering IT system with 3 suppliers: P&G, Unilever, and Elgeka. Two years later the project failed and had to stop. The CEO is now evaluating a new proposal for re-starting the initiative.

In 2001 Veropoulos Spar, a 770 million Euro retailer in Greece and the Balkan region, intiated the implementation of a new Internet enabled collaborative ordering IT system with 3 suppliers: P&G, Unilever, and Elgeka. Two years later the project failed and had to stop. The CEO is now evaluating a new proposal for re-starting the initiative.