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Building An AI Startup In Cyprus? Three VCs Want To Hear From You

by News Editor

Early-stage AI and deep-tech founders in Cyprus can apply for Backbone, a new European programme offering eight weeks of coaching, technical resources and access to three venture capital firms, with the opportunity to pitch directly to their investment teams.

Launched by Antler, Rubio Impact Ventures and Prosus Ventures, the initiative is aimed at founders developing technologies that make Europe’s critical infrastructure and essential services more resilient.

The programme will take place at AI House in Amsterdam, with up to 10 teams participating at a time. Founders must be able to attend in person at least three days a week throughout the eight-week period.

Applications are open on a rolling basis, with the first teams expected to begin in early December 2026.

Who Is Backbone Looking For?

Backbone is seeking startups using artificial intelligence and deep technology to address challenges in areas including:

  • Energy: Improving the stability and reliability of electricity grids.
  • Cybersecurity: Protecting digital infrastructure against cyberattacks.
  • Supply chains: Making the movement and availability of goods less vulnerable to disruption.
  • Healthcare: Developing technologies that improve the resilience of essential health services.
  • Food production: Strengthening the security and reliability of food systems.

The application form also accepts projects from other sectors, provided they align with the programme’s focus on resilience.

Applicants should be at the inception or pre-seed stage, with strong technical expertise or direct experience of the problem they are seeking to address.

Founders must be based in Europe or willing to relocate there, with the intention of building their companies in the region. Cyprus-based founders are eligible to apply, provided they can meet the programme’s attendance requirements.

Solo founders can apply, and applicants do not need an established company name or pitch deck.

What Does The Programme Offer?

Selected teams will spend eight weeks working alongside investors, experienced entrepreneurs and technology specialists at AI House Amsterdam.

The programme includes:

  • Investment preparation: Guidance on developing business models, fundraising strategies and investor pitches.
  • Weekly coaching: Sessions with the three venture capital partners and access to experienced founders and operators.
  • Industry connections: Access to a network of more than 100 companies, alongside potential distribution partners and experienced business operators.
  • Technical resources: Credits for cloud services, AI tools and software.
  • Investor exposure: An opportunity to pitch to the investment teams of Antler, Rubio Impact Ventures and Prosus Ventures at the end of the programme.

The initiative aims to address the challenges European AI startups face when progressing from early-stage funding to larger investment rounds.

According to figures cited by Backbone, only 9% of startups that raised seed funding in 2023 have subsequently secured Series A investment.

“Europe doesn’t lack AI talent. It lacks places where that talent can grow into companies that last,” said Sebastiaan Vaessen, Head of Europe at Prosus Ventures.

No equity is required to participate in Backbone. However, admission does not guarantee investment, and each of the three venture capital firms will independently decide whether to invest in participating startups.

How To Apply

Applications are open to eligible founders across Europe, including Cyprus, with new places becoming available as teams complete the programme.

Key participation details:

  • Location: AI House Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Duration: Eight weeks
  • Attendance: In person, at least three days per week
  • Places: Up to 10 teams at a time
  • Startup stage: Inception or pre-seed
  • Equity requirement: None for participation
  • Application deadline: No fixed deadline; rolling applications

Applicants must provide information about the problem they are addressing, their proposed solution and their technical or industry expertise. A pitch deck is optional.

Interested founders can apply directly through the official Backbone website.

Applications will be assessed jointly by Antler, Rubio Impact Ventures and Prosus Ventures, with selected teams invited to participate in the eight-week programme.

Cyprus Opens €701,200 Fertiliser Support Scheme For Professional Farmers

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Professional farmers in Cyprus can apply for emergency financial support covering part of the cost of fertilisers purchased between June and October 2026. Applications will be accepted from November 11 to November 25 at District Agricultural Offices, between 8 am and 2 pm.

The scheme was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment in cooperation with the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation (CAPO). It is financed entirely through European support and has a total budget of €701,200.

How Much Financial Support Can Farmers Receive?

Eligible applicants can receive reimbursement of up to 15% of the final invoice value, excluding VAT and discounts. The minimum payment is €100 per beneficiary, while the maximum is €5,000.

Applications must include valid tax invoices and supporting documents. Fertiliser purchases must have been made between June 1 and October 31, 2026, and invoices must be fully paid by the application deadline, with proof of payment provided.

Invoices must be issued in the applicant’s name by a fertiliser importer or reseller, comply with Cyprus law and relate to eligible products. Transactions between applicants participating in the scheme are excluded.

Who Can Apply?

The scheme is open to individuals, legal entities and cooperatives registered as professional farmers in the Register of Farmers and Agricultural Holdings. Applicants must belong to one of the eligible categories (2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 16, 17, 24, 25, 26 or 27) by the application deadline and be registered with CAPO.

Applicants must also have submitted a 2026 application under CAPO’s Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), or filed a crop declaration under the Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Scheme if they did not apply for BISS.

Those who meet neither condition must obtain confirmation from the Department of Agriculture, based on official records or databases, that they were engaged in professional farming during 2026.

Which Fertilisers Are Eligible?

The scheme covers qualifying products registered in the Department of Agriculture’s Register of Registered Fertilisers. These include chemical fertilisers, whether simple, mixed, compound, enriched or enhanced, as well as secondary fertilisers, trace-element preparations, foliar fertilisers and organic fertilisers.

Special preparations are excluded, along with products carrying a CE marking under EU Regulation 2019/1009 that fall within Product Function Category 1 (fertiliser). Plant biostimulants, soil improvers and growing media are also ineligible.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted in person at District Agricultural Offices between November 11 and November 25, 2026, from 8 am to 2 pm.

The scheme policy, application form and applicant guidance are available on the Department of Agriculture and CAPO websites.

For further information, farmers can contact their District Agricultural Office or call 22375674 or 22760482.

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