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Cyprus’ Chief Scientist Earns Global GovTech Recognition On LinkedIn

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 6, 2026

Cyprus’ Chief Scientist, Demetris Skourides, has been ranked among the world’s leading LinkedIn creators in GovTech and the public sector, a recognition he says reflects Cyprus’ growing presence in global conversations on research, innovation and digital transformation.

A Ranking That Points Beyond Personal Reach

According to a post on his LinkedIn account, Skourides ranked 25th globally among the Top 200 LinkedIn creators in GovTech and the public sector. He also placed first in Cyprus in the category and seventh overall on LinkedIn in the country.

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The ranking, which included a Favikon score of 87.3, measures professional influence and visibility on the platform.

Cyprus As The Larger Story

Skourides described the recognition as part of a broader effort to raise Cyprus’ international profile rather than a personal achievement.

“Cyprus is small. Its ambition is not,” he wrote, adding that the recognition belongs to everyone helping position the country as a hub for research, innovation and digital transformation.

His comments reflect Cyprus’ broader strategy to strengthen its reputation as a regional centre for technology, entrepreneurship and digital government.

A National Strategy Built Around Innovation

Appointed Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology in September 2023 by President Nikos Christodoulides, Skourides is responsible for supporting policies that strengthen research, innovation, technological development and entrepreneurship. He also chairs the board of the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF).

The government’s Research and Innovation Strategy 2024–2026 places innovation at the centre of economic competitiveness and public-sector modernisation.

Recent indicators suggest progress. According to the Research and Innovation Foundation, Cyprus climbed to 34th place in the StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2026, rising six positions year on year. The country’s startup ecosystem grew by 62.7% and was valued at $4.2 billion, while Limassol entered the global top 200 startup cities ranking for the first time, placing 191st.

Progress Remains Uneven

Despite those gains, challenges remain. The European Commission’s 2026 Digital Decade Country Report found that AI adoption among Cypriot businesses is still relatively low, although it noted that initiatives such as the National AI Strategy and the Pharos-CY AI Factory Antenna could accelerate adoption.

Communication As A Leadership Tool

Skourides argued that visibility is increasingly tied to credibility, partnerships and investment, particularly in fields such as artificial intelligence and GovTech.

“Technology is not the destination,” he wrote. “People are.”

He added that innovation only creates value when it improves people’s lives and that digital transformation succeeds only when citizens experience tangible benefits. In his view, communication has become an essential part of public leadership because people are more willing to embrace change when they understand it.

A Wider Cyprus Story

Skourides dedicated the recognition to Cyprus’ wider innovation ecosystem, thanking researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, public servants, businesses and policymakers for helping strengthen the country’s international profile.

“The future will not wait,” he said. “Neither,” Skourides added, “should Cyprus.”

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Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

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IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.