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US Tech Company Tenstorrent Takes First Step Toward Cyprus Expansion

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Global AI chipmaker Tenstorrent took its first concrete step toward establishing a presence in Cyprus during a strategic visit hosted by the office of the Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology.

According to an announcement released on Tuesday, the high-level delegation marked the company’s initial direct engagement with Cyprus’ innovation ecosystem, following a meeting in California between President Nikos Christodoulides and Tenstorrent CEO Jim Keller.

Leading the delegation were Eric Duffy, Senior Director of Business Development, and Isaac Salameh, Senior Director of Corporate Development at Tenstorrent.

The announcement mentioned that the visit reflects “Cyprus’ ambition to become a regional hub for advanced technology and research“.

MOREOVER, it pointed out that Tenstorrent is recognised for its open-source hardware design approach, which differentiates it from competitors.

This approach has the potential to support Cyprus’s long-term strategy to adopt an AI-first policy after 2028.

FOUNDATION FOR COLLABORATION

Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides described the visit as a “first snapshot” of collaboration, laying the foundation for what could become a meaningful and executable partnership.

“This visit confirms that strategic partnerships demand more than vision—they require commitment and execution,” Skourides said.

“Tenstorrent’s decision to engage directly with our ecosystem is not only a statement of intent, but the laying of a foundation to realise a joint ambition,” he added.

The visit began with a meeting at the Presidential Palace, hosted by Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou, Chief Scientist Demetris Skourides, and Chairman of Invest Cyprus, Evgenios Evgeniou.

During the meeting, the announcement mentioned, Duffy acknowledged the strong level of research excellence in Cyprus.

He confirmed that Tenstorrent executives and engineering teams would return in the coming weeks.

The programme was curated and led by the Chief Scientist’s office in close collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

The office explained that the agenda was tailored to Tenstorrent’s interests and aimed at identifying and engaging with Cyprus’ talent base and research capacity.

The visit offered Tenstorrent an in-depth view of ongoing research in fields such as hardware, systems design, robotics, autonomous technologies, AI, and digital twins.

The delegation held meetings with the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus University of Technology, and Centres of Excellence, including KIOS, CYENS, and CMMI.

These meetings focused on key industries and sectors relevant to the company’s mission.

MOREOVER, Tenstorrent’s team engaged with academic leadership, heads of engineering schools, and engineers showcasing products, solutions, and digital twins developed locally.

The delegation also met the Nicosia mayor, Charalambos Prountzos. According to the announcement, Prountzos shared his vision for the digital transformation of the city and expressed interest in applying AI to improve services for citizens.

Another key meeting took place with Invest Cyprus CEO Marios Tannousis, whose support was described as “instrumental in shaping the visit”.

The announcement also mentioned that this engagement aligns with Cyprus’ national Vision 2035 strategy, which focuses on sustainable economic growth through innovation and technology.

This strategy includes targeted efforts to attract highly skilled Cypriots back to the country, known as “brain gain”.

It also prioritises investment in research excellence, ecosystem development, and international partnerships.

“Tenstorrent is at the forefront of AI,” said Deputy Minister Damianou.

“Opening an office in Cyprus will create new jobs for local talent and attract highly skilled Cypriots from abroad,” he added.

Skourides, who also chairs the National AI Task Force, said Cyprus is building an AI future through partnerships and government initiatives.

“We are focused on leveraging AI factories and building strategic infrastructure through partnerships and government initiatives that accelerate R&D and innovation, invest in human capital, govern and leverage data effectively, and create an operational framework that supports integration and execution,” he said.

“This can only be achieved by cultivating an ecosystem that connects innovators, builders, orchestrators, and consumers—while also introducing sovereign AI capabilities,” he added.

Skourides also said that “Tenstorrent opening an office in Cyprus will be a game changer for both research organisations and industry”.

Bank of Cyprus Upgrade Signals Fresh Optimism For Greek And Cypriot Banks

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Regional Banks Enter A More Favorable Cycle

Bank of Cyprus and Eurobank are well positioned to benefit from a renewed re-rating of Greek and Cypriot bank stocks, according to Cyprus-based investment firm Roemer Capital, which upgraded Bank of Cyprus to a buy rating and reaffirmed its positive view on Eurobank.

The firm cited easing geopolitical tensions, resilient economic growth in Greece and Cyprus, lower funding costs and Greece’s expected transition to developed-market status as the main factors supporting the sector.

Roemer Capital also lowered its cost of equity assumptions, updated its forecasts following first-quarter 2026 results and extended its valuation horizon to the end of 2027, raising target prices across its banking coverage.

Bank Of Cyprus Gets The Largest Upgrade

Bank of Cyprus received the biggest revision, with Roemer Capital upgrading the stock from hold to buy and setting a target price of €11.10, implying potential total upside of 27%.

The firm highlighted the bank’s strong capital generation, profitability and projected 100% dividend payout, describing it as the strongest capital-return story among the banks under coverage. Roemer Capital maintained its buy rating on Eurobank, assigning a target price of €4.90 and forecasting potential upside of 28%. The report said the bank is well placed to benefit from loan growth, improving operating performance and merger-and-acquisition synergies.

National Bank of Greece and Piraeus Bank also retained buy ratings, with expected returns ranging from 25% to 36%. Optima Bank was upgraded to buy, while Alpha Bank remained at hold on valuation grounds.

Why Growth Still Sets The Region Apart

According to Roemer Capital, Greek and Cypriot banks continue to benefit from stronger economic fundamentals than many western European peers. The report pointed to faster economic growth, healthier balance sheets, low levels of non-performing exposures, capital ratios approaching 20% and strong customer deposit bases.

Analysts expect performing loans across the sector to grow at a compound annual rate of 6% to 8% through 2028, supported by private investment, digitalisation, green manufacturing, supply-chain expansion and a gradual recovery in household lending.

The report also said the conclusion of lending under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility is unlikely to materially affect credit growth, as banks have already shifted back towards traditional commercial lending. Roemer Capital expects Euribor to remain between 2.2% and 2.5%, a level it believes should support both lending activity and net interest margins.

Geopolitics, Valuation And Market Structure Support The Case

The report said improving geopolitical conditions have strengthened the investment outlook, noting that Brent crude prices have largely returned to pre-war levels while Greek government bond yields have stabilised at around 3.5%. Although geopolitical risks remain, Roemer Capital believes the likelihood of a major inflationary shock or significant pressure on bank profitability has eased.

Another important catalyst identified by the firm is Greece’s expected promotion to developed-market status by FTSE Russell, STOXX and MSCI over the coming months.

According to the report, the reclassification should improve liquidity and attract a broader base of international investors. Roemer Capital also said Euronext’s acquisition of the Athens Exchange is expected to strengthen market infrastructure and increase international visibility, particularly for Bank of Cyprus and Optima Bank.

The firm noted that Bank of Cyprus has already benefited from its Athens listing, with average daily trading value increasing from less than €400,000 before its September 2024 move to nearly €6 million afterwards.

Economic Momentum Remains A Core Tailwind

Roemer Capital said both Greece and Cyprus have moved beyond post-crisis recovery and are now supported by private-sector-led growth. For Cyprus, the report highlighted recent tax reform and efforts to simplify the legal and regulatory framework, while also noting that limited foreign banking competition continues to support domestic lenders.

Overall, Roemer Capital expects Greek and Cypriot banks to remain well-positioned for profitable loan growth over the coming years.

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