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Cyprus Shines at SLUSH 2024: A Regional Innovation Powerhouse

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) is proudly leading a dynamic Cypriot delegation at SLUSH 2024, one of the world’s most prestigious innovation and entrepreneurship festivals, held in Helsinki, Finland, on November 20-21, 2024.

SLUSH 2024 serves as a global melting pot for entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders, creating a fertile ground for collaboration and showcasing cutting-edge ideas. Representing Cyprus are over 40 participants, including 18 promising startups and scaleups, eager to present their groundbreaking solutions to an international audience.

Heading the Cypriot delegation is RIF Board Member Andreas Andreou. In collaboration with organizations from Bulgaria and Greece, RIF co-organized a compelling side event titled “Breaking Boundaries: SEE Tech Meets the World at Slush”. This initiative not only highlighted Cyprus’s thriving tech ecosystem but also fostered cross-border partnerships with Southeast European neighbours.

During the event, RIF’s Director General, Theodoros Loukaidis, positioned Cyprus as a burgeoning regional hub for innovation and technology. He emphasized the country’s government-backed incentives and significant investments that fuel its entrepreneurial spirit, cementing its reputation as a leader in the Mediterranean tech landscape.

A key highlight was the presentation by RIF Scientific Officer A’, Georgia Kleanthous, who introduced the innovative work of the 18 participating Cypriot companies. Her insights showcased the potential of these startups and scaleups to disrupt industries and deliver value on a global scale.

The event culminated in a networking reception, providing Cypriot businesses with valuable opportunities to connect with international clients and investors. These connections are expected to pave the way for collaborative ventures and accelerated growth for Cyprus’s innovation sector.

Cyprus’s participation in SLUSH 2024 underscores its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, solidifying its position as a tech-forward nation ready to make its mark on the global stage.

Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

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.

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.

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