Breaking news

At 18, This German Founder Is Using AI To Give Care Workers More Time

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 9, 2026

Across Europe, care workers face a persistent trade-off: time spent on paperwork is time they cannot spend with the people who need care. Maximilian Zimmermann, an 18-year-old German entrepreneur still completing school, is building an artificial intelligence tool aimed at changing that equation.

Zimmermann, co-founder and chief executive of Darmstadt-based StepSafer, won the European Commission’s Youth Start-Up Challenge 2026 at the SME and Clusters Assembly in Dublin. His company’s product, StepSafer Flow, prevailed over a record 135 applications from across Europe.

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

Making Existing Care Software Easier To Use

StepSafer Flow is designed to let care workers interact with the systems they already use through spoken instructions. The technology supports more than 99 languages and can retrieve medical information, prepare patient documentation, assign tasks to colleagues on later shifts and send updates to relatives.

The approach addresses a key obstacle to technology adoption in care settings: replacing established software can be expensive and disruptive. Rather than requiring facilities to migrate data or install an entirely new system, StepSafer says its tool works alongside their existing software.

The company estimates that care workers lose about one-third of their working time to administrative tasks. It projects that its technology could cut the administration associated with a home visit from 19 minutes to around four. Those figures are StepSafer’s estimates, not independently verified results, but they point to a significant operational challenge for care providers.

A Growing Workforce Challenge

Europe’s ageing population is increasing demand for long-term care just as providers struggle to recruit and retain enough staff. The European Commission has estimated that the EU will need more than 1.6 million additional long-term care workers by 2050 simply to maintain current levels of coverage.

Tools that reduce administrative workloads could help providers make better use of a workforce already under pressure. For StepSafer, the decision to complement existing software may also offer a commercial advantage: it could lower the cost and disruption associated with adoption, while avoiding direct competition with established healthcare software providers.

The company says 26 care services have committed to participate in testing, representing more than 4,700 clients. It has reached this stage without external investment or a marketing budget.

A Young Founder In A Competitive Field

Zimmermann started his first business at 14 and is developing StepSafer while continuing his education. He is scheduled to sit Germany’s Abitur school-leaving examinations in 2027.

His age set him apart in a room of investors, policymakers and business leaders, but the competition was judged on the strength of the ideas. A jury assessed creativity, originality and the ability to present a persuasive business case. It was chaired by Igor Kalinic, head of sector for competitiveness and internationalisation at the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), and included representatives from Enterprise Ireland, RDY Ventures and RTBeamTech.

After the three finalists presented in Dublin, audience members cast the deciding votes. Zimmermann’s win includes an invitation to the European Innovation Council Summit 2027 in Brussels, giving StepSafer an opportunity to meet potential investors, business partners and policymakers.

Building A Network Beyond The Prize

Established in 2023 as part of European SME Week, the Youth Start-Up Challenge gives entrepreneurs aged 18 to 25 a platform to present their ideas to an international audience. Eligible applicants come from EU member states, including Cyprus, and countries associated with the SME pillar of the Single Market Programme. They submit a short video and business plan, with selected teams advancing to a final presentation.

For emerging founders, the value of the competition extends beyond the award itself. Visibility, introductions and access to potential partners can help turn a promising idea into a scalable business.

Zimmermann has won that opportunity while still preparing for his school-leaving exams. For StepSafer, the Dublin victory may be an early milestone in a much longer effort to give care workers more time for care.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Company Registration: Two To Four Days, Unless Security Checks Intervene

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 9, 2026

Cyprus aims to register companies within two to four working days when applicants submit complete documentation. However, regulatory approvals, sanctions checks, foreign ownership and national security considerations can extend the process or prevent registration.

Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister Michael Damianou outlined the timeframe in a written response to MP Efrem Christou, who asked about company formation procedures and the checks required before approval.

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

Fast Registration Depends On Complete Documentation

Damianou said authorities seek to process complete applications within two to four working days, regardless of a company’s structural complexity. The timeframe also depends on whether applicants pay an additional fee for expedited processing.

According to the official incorporation requirements, the standard registration fee is €165, rising to €235 for companies without share capital. Expedited processing costs an additional €100.

Applicants must submit an approved company name, a memorandum and articles of association, and forms HE1, HE2 and HE3. Public companies must also provide form HE5.

Regulated Businesses Require Additional Approval

Companies operating in certain sectors must obtain prior clearance from the relevant authorities or professional bodies. These include medical and dental businesses, law firms, insurance and reinsurance companies, and firms supervised by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Central Bank of Cyprus must also approve company names associated with payment institutions, electronic money and foreign exchange services. Additional restrictions apply to educational institutions using terms such as “university” or “college”, casino operators, broadcasters and wine producers.

Non-profit organisations seeking to register without “Limited” or “Ltd” in their names also require ministerial authorisation.

Sanctions And Foreign Ownership Trigger Extra Checks

Applications involving shareholders, directors or company secretaries subject to EU, UN or US sanctions receive additional scrutiny. Registration can proceed only if the competent sanctions authority does not prohibit it. Damianou noted that US sanctions are considered indirectly but have not been incorporated into Cyprus legislation in the same way as EU and UN restrictions.

Applications involving Turkish interests are also subject to additional review. Under procedures introduced around 20 years ago, the registrar must consult national security services before proceeding with registrations involving Turkish interests or businesses that could threaten the Republic’s security.

Damianou distinguished these cases from applications submitted by Turkish Cypriots, saying there is “no substantial difference” in how their registration documents are examined. Applications may nevertheless be refused if classified information raises concerns about national interests or national security.

Public Servants Face Separate Restrictions

Under Article 65 of the public service law, government employees cannot act as directors, company secretaries or shareholders in private or public companies without prior special permission from the finance minister.

Proposed Law Would Expand Registrar’s Powers

The government is also seeking to strengthen the Registrar of Companies’ authority to address potential security risks. An amendment to the companies law, submitted to Parliament on September 17, would allow the registrar to reject applications, refuse company filings or remove existing businesses from the register on grounds including national security, public order, public interest and the protection of state sovereignty.

The proposal, approved by the Council of Ministers on August 6, remains before the House commerce committee. It would allow authorities to withhold detailed justifications where disclosure could reveal sensitive information, while informing affected companies of the general grounds for decisions.

The bill follows parliamentary discussions about companies controlled by non-EU nationals, particularly those with Turkish ultimate beneficial owners, and possible implications for property ownership through foreign-controlled businesses. Further details are available in the proposed amendment and earlier parliamentary reporting.

Balancing Investment And Oversight

Cyprus is seeking to maintain an efficient company registration process while strengthening checks on ownership, sanctions compliance and potential security risks.

The two-to-four-day target supports the country’s appeal to entrepreneurs and international investors, but the actual timeline depends on the nature of the business, the documentation submitted and any additional regulatory or security reviews required.