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Cypriot Startup MammoCheck Wins 16th NBG Business Seeds Competition

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 23, 2026

Cypriot startup MammoCheck has distinguished itself by clinching first place at the 16th NBG Business Seeds Innovation and Technology Competition, an achievement that stood out among 344 submissions from Greece, Cyprus, and international entrants.

A Prestigious Gathering In Athens

The annual awards ceremony, held in Athens, brought together a diverse array of leaders from the technology and innovation sectors, including representatives from the National Bank of Greece and Cyprus, investment organizations, chambers of commerce, and academic institutions. The event underscored the dynamic interplay between finance, commerce, and cutting-edge technology, setting a benchmark for regional entrepreneurial excellence.

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Insights From Industry Pioneers

Notable figures such as champion swimmer Apostolos Siskos shared insights from his storied career, while Wealthyhood CEO Alexandros Christodoulakis recounted his experiences from the previous year’s competition. Their contributions highlighted the transformative role that innovation and mentorship play in driving sustainable development and growth in competitive markets.

Innovative Healthcare Solutions

MammoCheck’s win is particularly noteworthy given its development of a portable medical device that integrates with mobile phones to facilitate preventive breast cancer screening. This breakthrough not only enhances early detection of the disease but also reinforces a commitment to public health by leveraging technology to democratize access to vital medical screening tools.

NBG Business Seeds: A Catalyst For Innovation

Since its inception in 2010, the NBG Business Seeds programme has played a pivotal role in nurturing innovative entrepreneurship across Greece, Cyprus, and the wider region. By offering a robust mix of funding, mentoring, and development support, the programme has empowered startups and research teams to excel in areas including healthcare, artificial intelligence, fintech, and sustainable development.

A Testament To Cyprus’ Innovation Ecosystem

Commenting on MammoCheck’s success, Phanos Pilakouris, the NBG Business Seeds programme brand ambassador in Cyprus, affirmed that the achievement exemplifies the strength of Cyprus’ innovation ecosystem. “The success of MammoCheck highlights the potential of Cyprus’ innovation ecosystem and confirms that the country possesses the talent and knowledge required to create solutions with international prospects and a meaningful social impact,” he noted. He further emphasized that support for innovation and entrepreneurship remains integral to sustainable development, a mission reinforced by the longstanding presence of the National Bank of Greece in Cyprus since 1910.

Looking Ahead

The recognition of 12 teams and companies across diverse sectors at this year’s competition not only celebrates innovative breakthroughs but also signals the increasing global competitiveness of regional startups. As initiatives like the NBG Business Seeds programme continue to bridge the gap between creativity and commercial success, the future looks poised for further breakthroughs that will redefine industry standards both locally and globally.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.