Open Calls

Cyprus Entrepreneurship Competition 2025: Applications Now Open

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The Cyprus Entrepreneurship Competition (CyEC) is once again opening its doors to the island’s most ambitious innovators. Organised by the University of Cyprus Centre for Entrepreneurship (C4E) and held under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, the 2025 edition targets those developing their first market-ready product (Accelerator) and those with existing products ready to scale (Launchpad). 

CyEC’s mission is to nurture a dynamic entrepreneurship culture across Cyprus, engaging students, researchers, academics, graduates, and professionals. By leveraging the University’s research, infrastructure, and expertise, the competition equips founders to compete internationally and deliver solutions that address real-world challenges.

Participants benefit from a structured programme of workshops, mentorship, and investor engagement, designed in collaboration with local and international partners. Whether refining a new concept or preparing to attract significant capital, CyEC provides the platform, network, and resources to support high-growth ambitions.

Two Pathways to Success: Accelerator and Launchpad

CyEC 2025 offers two participation tracks:

The Accelerator is tailored for early-stage startups seeking to develop their business ideas into viable ventures. It includes:

  • Workshops and Seminars – covering topics such as business model development, financial planning, marketing strategies, and legal considerations.
  • Mentorship – guidance and feedback from experienced mentors assigned to each team.
  • Business Plan Development – teams are required to create a comprehensive business plan detailing a clear strategy and objectives.
  • Pitch Presentation – finals present their business plans to a judging panel in a closed session, followed by a public pitch at the CyEC Final Conference.

The Accelerator concludes with an award ceremony, where winners receive monetary prizes and recognition.
Application window: 1 August – 10 September 2025.

The Launchpad is designed for mature startups with an existing product or service. It focuses on:

  • Pitching to Investors – presenting ventures directly to potential investors during the Entrepreneurship Forum.
  • Optional Workshops – access to the Accelerator’s foundational courses, available but not mandatory.

The Launchpad offers a platform to gain exposure and secure funding without the time commitment of the Accelerator.
Application window: 1 August – 3 November 2025.

Both tracks culminate in investor-facing events, giving founders the opportunity to secure critical funding and strategic partnerships.

Criteria

For both tracks, teams must have at least two members, with at least one resident of the Republic of Cyprus. All applicants must be over 18 years of age.

Company registration is optional but preferred for the Accelerator; however, Launchpad applicants must have a registered company. Companies must be registered in Cyprus or have concrete plans to register locally. In all cases, they should be in the early stages, defined as less than five years since incorporation.

The competition expresses a preference for startups that have raised less than €50,000 in equity capital or grants. Teams above this threshold remain eligible but must provide a detailed disclosure of prior funding in their application.

Applicants must demonstrate:

  • Significant growth potential in the global market, with scalability within the next 12 months.
  • Capabilities for launch, including the skills and expertise to bring their product or service to market.
  • Clear business potential, communicated effectively during the application and pitch process.

Late applications are not accepted, and the organising committee retains the right to disqualify entries that do not align with CyEC’s objectives.

Beyond the Prize

While the 2025 prize amounts have yet to be announced, past competitions have offered substantial cash awards to top-performing teams, but for many participants, the real value lies in the benefits that extend beyond the financial backing that CyEC provides.

  • Mentorship and Expert Guidance – participants gain access to experienced mentors and industry experts who provide personalised advice and support. This guidance helps teams refine business models, develop effective strategies, and navigate the challenges of launching and scaling a startup.
  • Educational Workshops and Skill Development – through a series of workshops and seminars, founders acquire practical knowledge in business planning, marketing, financial management, and legal considerations. These sessions equip entrepreneurs with the skills needed to build and sustain successful ventures.
  • Networking Opportunities – CyEC facilitates connections with a diverse network of investors, academics, and fellow entrepreneurs. These relationships can lead to partnerships, collaborations, and access to additional resources essential for growth.
  • Exposure to Investors and the Business Community – finalists present their ventures at the annual Entrepreneurship Forum, gaining visibility among potential investors and industry leaders. This exposure often opens doors to funding opportunities and strategic alliances.
  • Integration into the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem – participants join a vibrant ecosystem supported by the University of Cyprus’s Centre for Entrepreneurship (C4E). This integration ensures ongoing support and access to resources even after the competition ends, creating a foundation for long-term success.

Alumni Impact

Several alumni illustrate how CyEC can accelerate growth and open international opportunities.

Malloc: an AI-driven cybersecurity startup focused on mobile and app security. Their products help people stay safe and private online by blocking anyone from recording or transmitting data without their knowledge. 

Bolsterup: the first digital ecosystem that brings all the players of the construction industry together under one roof, providing a digital blueprint of completed and upcoming projects, featuring contributors, their capabilities, products, and services. It gives its users the power to create digital portfolios, identify and connect with other professionals to create future collaborations, and expand their reach to other markets. 

Heroes Made is a platform for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) designed for elementary schools. It features avatar customization, allowing students to personalize their SEL journey. 

iQ3solar is a platform powered by AI/ML algorithms, along with the dedicated and patented degradation sensors is a game-changer for PV system operators. It offers the operators early detection, unsupervised monitoring, and decision recommendations for the PV park, minimizing human error.

Strengthening Cyprus’s Innovation Economy

CyEC plays a direct role in building a sustainable and competitive business ecosystem in Cyprus. By combining the University of Cyprus’s research capabilities with practical mentorship, skill-based training, and investor exposure, it creates the conditions for new ventures to grow and succeed.

The Ministry of Energy, Commerce, and Industry’s endorsement reflects the competition’s role in supporting innovation-driven entrepreneurship as part of the country’s long-term economic strategy. Through its workshops, networking opportunities, and integration into the wider entrepreneurial community, CyEC helps retain local talent, attract investment, and prepare startups for entry into international markets.

Applications Now Open

Entrepreneurs ready to take their venture to the next stage, whether building a prototype or preparing for global expansion, should consider the following deadlines:

  • Accelerator: 1 August – 10 September 2025
  • Launchpad: 1 August – 3 November 2025

CyEC 2025 offers more than a competition — it’s a platform for turning ambition into achievement and ideas into impactful, scalable businesses.

More information and applications can be found on the CyEC website: https://www.cyec.org.cy/ 

RIF To Support Up To 15 Cypriot Startups To Attend Slush 2026 In Helsinki

by News Editor

Overview

The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has opened a call for expressions of interest to select up to 15 Cypriot startups to participate in Slush 2026, which will take place in Helsinki on 18–19 November 2026.

Slush attracts more than 6,000 startups annually and offers opportunities for visibility, customer acquisition and networking with more than 3,500 investors and other companies. Cyprus’ participation is part of RIF’s initiative to promote the local innovation ecosystem and support domestic startups, particularly those previously funded through RIF innovation programmes. The initiative falls under the activities of Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus, in which RIF participates as a partner.

Benefits

RIF will cover the entry ticket, valued at €395 including VAT, and provide a €300 subsidy per person for participation expenses. The total support will not exceed €695 per person and will be provided as indirect state aid under the EU De Minimis regulation.

Participants must cover their own travel and accommodation costs. For current RIF-funded projects, these costs may be eligible under the funded project, provided they are related to the project.

Selected companies may also take part in parallel activities organised as part of Slush 2026, including Founders Day and Slush Week Side Events, subject to the relevant participation conditions and timely registration.

Who Can Apply

The call is open to Cypriot companies from all technology areas that carry out economic activity in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus. Eligible applicants include companies that have received RIF funding as Host Organisations under programmes including Pre-Seed, Seed, Innovate, Disrupt, STEP, FTI and BOOST.

Companies may also apply if they had submitted proposals as Host Organisations and were invited to the second evaluation phase under Pre-Seed, Seed, Innovate or Disrupt, or if they had submitted proposals under FTI or BOOST. The call is also open to startups and to companies that have obtained an Innovative Enterprise Certificate from the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

For the purposes of the call, startups are defined as technology-oriented companies with high-growth potential, established to develop a product or service intended for international markets. Applicants must also meet the startup criteria set by Slush.

Companies may participate through representatives who are either founders of the company or hold a formal position within the company.

Criteria

Expressions of interest will undergo eligibility and evaluation checks. RIF will assess whether all required information has been submitted, whether the applicant meets the minimum eligibility conditions, and whether the company justifies the purpose of its participation at Slush, including proposed visibility and networking activities.

A maximum of 15 companies will be selected, provided they are deemed eligible. Priority will be given first to companies that have signed a project contract with RIF as Host Organisations under the listed programmes, followed by companies invited to second-phase evaluation under the relevant programmes, companies that submitted proposals under FTI and BOOST, startups, and companies with an Innovative Enterprise Certificate.

How To Apply

Each company must submit an expression of interest through the online form. The deadline is 14 September 2026 at 13:00.

For more information, applicants can contact the RIF Support Service by email or by telephone at +357 22 205000.

About The Initiative

Cyprus’ participation in Slush 2026 forms part of RIF’s efforts to promote the country’s innovation ecosystem internationally and support domestic startups seeking access to investors, customers and international business networks. The initiative is carried out through Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus, where RIF participates as a partner.

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