Breaking news

Cyprus RIF Deploys €18M Funding Program To Empower Private Sector Competitiveness

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 3, 2025

Introduction

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve), in its role as coordinator for the Enterprise Europe Network Cyprus, has announced that the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) is extending substantial funding opportunities to the private sector. This initiative underscores Cyprus’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and competitiveness across industries.

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Investing In The Future

As a pivotal component of Cyprus’s research and innovation ecosystem, the RIF has unveiled a series of funding programmes backed by a total budget of €18,015,000. These programmes are designed to enhance competitiveness, promote international market engagement, and stimulate groundbreaking innovation that can drive businesses on a global scale.

Strategic Information Sessions

To ensure that the business community is well informed, the RIF is organizing a series of personalized information sessions across all districts. A designated RIF officer will be available at the Keve offices from 08:00 to 15:00 on specific dates, including 4 and 18 September, 2, 16 and 30 October, 13 and 27 November, and 11 December. These sessions are set up by prior appointment, guaranteeing that each company receives tailored guidance and can gain direct access to critical funding details.

Driving Competitiveness Through Support

These one-on-one meetings are structured to provide comprehensive support to company representatives, ensuring they have all the information required to capitalize on these funding opportunities. By fostering an environment of direct communication and expert advice, the RIF is proactively strengthening the bridge between innovative research and practical business applications.

Conclusion

With this targeted funding initiative, Cyprus is strategically positioning its private sector for enhanced global competitiveness. The structured outreach and personalized support provided through these sessions are poised to unlock significant growth opportunities, marking a decisive step forward in the nation’s innovation agenda.

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Figma Introduces AI-Enhanced Code-To-Canvas Feature As Tech Market Volatility Grows

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 18, 2026

Integrating AI With Design

Figma, in collaboration with Anthropic, has launched an innovative feature called Code to Canvas. This advancement transforms code generated by artificial intelligence tools such as Claude Code into fully editable designs within Figma’s digital canvas. By bridging the gap between AI-driven code and design refinement, the new tool empowers teams to refine, compare, and finalize design options with greater efficiency.

Reinforcing The Role Of Design

The integration underscores a broader strategic belief: even as AI automates the initial creation of interfaces, the human element in design remains indispensable. Although this partnership equips teams with a faster on-ramp to usability, it also carries the risk that as AI tools mature, the traditional design process may be circumvented entirely. This delicate balance between automation and creative oversight is reshaping how products are built and refined.

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Market Reactions And The SaaS Landscape

Figma’s latest move comes at a time when the software as a service (SaaS) sector is experiencing significant turbulence. The market has broadly punished SaaS stocks, with flagship names including Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Intuit suffering double-digit declines. The iShares Software ETF has also entered bear market territory, reflecting investor concerns over a broader ‘SaaSpocalypse.’

Stock Performance And Future Outlook

Figma, which experienced a dramatic stock decline since its IPO last summer, has not been immune to these market forces. As it prepares to report earnings after Wednesday’s market close, Figma’s stock has fallen nearly 85% from its 52-week high of $142.92 reached in August. This steep drop emphasizes the challenges even industry leaders face amid a shifting economic landscape.

As Figma continues to innovate at the intersection of design and AI, industry observers will be keenly watching both the technological impact and the broader market reaction to these bold strategic moves.