Open Calls

Sequoia Capital Rolls Out €874 Million Early-Stage Funds: A Big Opportunity for Cyprus Founders

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 4, 2025

Global venture Sequoia Capital has launched two major early-stage funds totaling about €874 million (USD $950 million): €690 million Series A fund and a €184 million seed fund.

Cyprus: Take Note

Sequoia’s latest move is not just flashy. It’s a door for European startups to enter the global market. Asked about its Europe ambitions, Sequoia partner Luciana Lixandru said: “I am excited to meet founders who use Europe as their product and engineering hub, but who want to take over the world.”

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Cyprus’s startup ecosystem is in a strong position to take advantage of this initiative. The island’s cost-effective engineering talent, EU-market access, and growing start-up ecosystem make it a natural fit for global investors. For ambitious Cypriot tech founders, this means:

A top-tier VC placing real bets in Europe.
A chance to lead in clusters (AI, deep tech, SaaS) where Sequoia is seeking “outlier founders”.
Better deal terms and access when you’re European but thinking global, especially since Cyprus is EU-based and specialists can build here, scale globally.

What Sequoia Is Looking For

The new funds target:

Seed stage: Pre-product or early traction teams.
Series A: Companies with product-market fit, ready to scale.
Europe-centric teams built for global impact: “Europe’s founder pool has never been stronger,” Sequoia says.

For Cypriot founders, this means being ready for global ambition, not just local sales.

What to Do Now

Sharpen your pitch for scale: Show global ambition, not just local deployment.
Build around team & tech: Sequoia emphasises founders who can “go from zero to global”.
Get exposed to talent networks: Use Cyprus as a tech base; show you can scale out.
Position for early bets: Pre-seed and seed rounds could be especially attractive right now, given the size of the seed fund.
When ready, get in touch.

About Sequoia Capital

Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Menlo Park, Sequoia Capital has been behind some of the world’s most successful tech companies, from Apple and Google to Stripe and Airbnb. With its revived focus on Europe, it is doubling down on early-stage investing and looking for local founders with a global mindset.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

RIF Launches €1 Million Funding Initiative For International Startups

Overview

The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has unveiled its latest funding call, PRE-SEED/0526, under the “Creation And Initial Development Of Startups With International Orientation (PRE-SEED)” program. This initiative is engineered to empower emerging companies with the potential to scale globally, reinforcing Cyprus’ commitment to nurturing an advanced innovation ecosystem.

Funding Details

Allocated a total budget of €1 million, the call permits up to €119,999 in funding per project. This support is poised to help startups transition from initial concept to tangible development, setting the stage for impactful market entries on an international scale.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Submission Process

Applicants are required to submit their proposals through the IRIS portal by September 11, 2026, at 1:00 PM. Thorough preparation and adherence to the provided guidelines are essential to enhance the competitiveness of each submission.

Advancing Innovation

The initiative not only fuels the growth of individual startups but also bolsters the overall innovation framework within Cyprus. By supporting early-stage companies, RIF is creating a robust pipeline of enterprises capable of thriving in global markets.

Further Assistance

For additional information or support, interested parties can contact the RIF Partner Support Centre at 22205000 or via email at callsupport@research.org.cy.