Yanis Varoufakis

Co-Founder of DiEM25, Secretary-General of Democracy in Europe Movement 2025, Former Greek Minister of Finance & Co-Author of ‘A Modest Proposal‘

Yanis Varoufakis’ Biography:

Yanis Varoufakis is an internationally renowned economist, author, and political leader, best known for his outspoken criticism of global capitalism and his tenure as Greece’s Minister of Finance during the height of the Eurozone crisis. Currently the Secretary-General of the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 (DiEM25), he is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most influential and unconventional thinkers. Through his books, political work, and public speaking, Varoufakis challenges conventional economic thinking, advocating for greater democracy, transparency, and social justice in both Europe and the wider global economy.

Born in Athens in 1961, Varoufakis studied economics at the University of Essex and earned his PhD in 1987. His early academic career included teaching roles at the University of Cambridge, the University of East Anglia, and the University of Sydney, before returning to Greece to take up a professorship at the University of Athens. Over the following decades, he gained a reputation as an expert on game theory and global political economy, advising figures such as former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and contributing to major international policy debates.

In 2015, Varoufakis became Greece’s Minister of Finance at a critical moment in the nation’s history, where his confrontational stance with the European Union and International Monetary Fund over austerity measures earned him global attention. Following his resignation, he co-founded DiEM25, a pan-European movement promoting democratic reform across the EU. He later co-founded the Progressive International, a global initiative advocating for a fairer, more sustainable economic system. His books, including Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism, Adults in the Room, and Talking to My Daughter About the Economy, have been translated worldwide and cemented his reputation as one of the most original and provocative voices in contemporary economics.

Alongside his political work, Varoufakis remains a prolific academic and speaker. He has lectured at institutions including the University of Texas at Austin, Stockholm University, and the University of Athens, and has served as Economist-in-Residence for the gaming company Valve. His writing and talks continue to explore the intersection of economics, technology, and democracy, offering deep insight into the challenges of modern capitalism and the future of global governance.

Why Hire Yanis Varoufakis?

Yanis Varoufakis is a dynamic and thought-provoking speaker whose expertise spans economics, technology, and political reform. Drawing from his unique experiences as Greece’s former Finance Minister, an academic economist, and a global activist, he delivers compelling insights into the forces shaping our economic and political systems. His TED Talks and global keynote appearances showcase his rare ability to make complex ideas accessible and engaging, encouraging audiences to rethink the future of capitalism, democracy, and technological change. Perfect for economic forums, leadership summits, and policy conferences, Varoufakis brings intellectual depth, charisma, and fearless honesty to every stage.

Yanis Varoufakis’ Career Highlights:

Below showcases Yanis Varoufakis’s highlights that influenced his career throughout cryptocurrency, politics and geopolitics:

• 2025 – Published his memoir Raise Your Soul, offering an intimate history of Greece and exploring the lives of five women who shaped his life and activism.
• 2023 – Published Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism, a global best-seller analysing the evolution of modern capitalism.
• 2019 – Elected as a Member of the Hellenic Parliament, representing Thessaloniki A as a MeRA25 MP.
• 2018 – Appointed Secretary-General of the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 (DiEM25).
• 2016 – Co-founded DiEM25, a pan-European political movement promoting democracy and transparency.
• 2015 – Served as Greece’s Minister of Finance, leading negotiations during the Eurozone crisis.
• 2013 – Lectured at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and at Stockholm University.
• 2012 – Appointed Economist-in-Residence at Valve Corporation, studying digital economies and virtual markets.
• 2004 – Served as Economic Advisor to Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.
• 1999 – Appointed Professor of Economics at the University of Athens, where he established the Doctoral Program in Economics.
• 1989 – Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of Sydney, teaching game theory and political economy.
• 1987 – Earned PhD in Economics from the University of Essex.