Overview

The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has opened a call for expressions of interest to select up to 15 Cypriot startups to participate in Slush 2026, which will take place in Helsinki on 18–19 November 2026.

Slush attracts more than 6,000 startups annually and offers opportunities for visibility, customer acquisition and networking with more than 3,500 investors and other companies. Cyprus’ participation is part of RIF’s initiative to promote the local innovation ecosystem and support domestic startups, particularly those previously funded through RIF innovation programmes. The initiative falls under the activities of Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus, in which RIF participates as a partner.

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Benefits

RIF will cover the entry ticket, valued at €395 including VAT, and provide a €300 subsidy per person for participation expenses. The total support will not exceed €695 per person and will be provided as indirect state aid under the EU De Minimis regulation.

Participants must cover their own travel and accommodation costs. For current RIF-funded projects, these costs may be eligible under the funded project, provided they are related to the project.

Selected companies may also take part in parallel activities organised as part of Slush 2026, including Founders Day and Slush Week Side Events, subject to the relevant participation conditions and timely registration.

Who Can Apply

The call is open to Cypriot companies from all technology areas that carry out economic activity in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus. Eligible applicants include companies that have received RIF funding as Host Organisations under programmes including Pre-Seed, Seed, Innovate, Disrupt, STEP, FTI and BOOST.

Companies may also apply if they had submitted proposals as Host Organisations and were invited to the second evaluation phase under Pre-Seed, Seed, Innovate or Disrupt, or if they had submitted proposals under FTI or BOOST. The call is also open to startups and to companies that have obtained an Innovative Enterprise Certificate from the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

For the purposes of the call, startups are defined as technology-oriented companies with high-growth potential, established to develop a product or service intended for international markets. Applicants must also meet the startup criteria set by Slush.

Companies may participate through representatives who are either founders of the company or hold a formal position within the company.

Criteria

Expressions of interest will undergo eligibility and evaluation checks. RIF will assess whether all required information has been submitted, whether the applicant meets the minimum eligibility conditions, and whether the company justifies the purpose of its participation at Slush, including proposed visibility and networking activities.

A maximum of 15 companies will be selected, provided they are deemed eligible. Priority will be given first to companies that have signed a project contract with RIF as Host Organisations under the listed programmes, followed by companies invited to second-phase evaluation under the relevant programmes, companies that submitted proposals under FTI and BOOST, startups, and companies with an Innovative Enterprise Certificate.

How To Apply

Each company must submit an expression of interest through the online form. The deadline is 14 September 2026 at 13:00.

For more information, applicants can contact the RIF Support Service by email or by telephone at +357 22 205000.

About The Initiative

Cyprus’ participation in Slush 2026 forms part of RIF’s efforts to promote the country’s innovation ecosystem internationally and support domestic startups seeking access to investors, customers and international business networks. The initiative is carried out through Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus, where RIF participates as a partner.