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Cyprus Startups Raise More Than €12 Million In Early 2026

Overview Of An Accelerating Startup Scene

Cyprus’ startup ecosystem recorded strong momentum during the first months of 2026, with seven locally based companies collectively raising more than €12 million across sectors including artificial intelligence, robotics, proptech, fintech and mobile gaming. The funding rounds involved investors from Cyprus, Greece, Latvia and Eastern Europe, highlighting growing international interest in the regional technology market.

Regional Spotlight: Leading Funding Rounds

Aina, headquartered in Limassol, raised $1 million in a seed funding round for its AI-powered recruitment platform focused on automating interviews and hiring processes. The company, founded by Natallia Mikhnovets, said the platform has already supported more than 2,000 interviews and over 300 successful placements.

Meanwhile, Naoma, based in Nicosia, secured $440,000 in a pre-seed round led by ULTRA.VC with participation from Sparkle Ventures and angel investors. The startup is developing an AI-powered video sales platform designed to provide real-time product demonstrations without scheduled sales calls.

Innovative Developments And Strategic Investments

Autonomics raised $1 million in a bridge round led by Kinisis Ventures through its KV Fund II. The company, working alongside ASBISc Enterprises, develops autonomous cleaning systems powered by its SPARC fleet orchestration platform, which is already operating at the Four Seasons Astir Palace hotel in Athens. At the same time, Resitech secured €640,000 after Athens-listed fintech group Qualco acquired a 34% minority stake in the business. The Nicosia-based company specialises in B2B real estate analytics and data services across Cyprus and Greece.

Scaling Up And Preparing For Summer

In April, Moving Doors raised $6 million in the largest funding round recorded by a Cyprus-based startup so far this year. The Limassol-based proptech company, now under the majority ownership of Greek private equity firm Golden Age Capital, operates a platform managing around 500 serviced apartments across Cyprus, Athens and Dubai, with the acquisition forming part of a broader European expansion strategy targeting 3,500 units.

During the same month, INXY secured an additional $4 million in seed financing led by Flashpoint, bringing its total seed funding to $7 million. The company provides stablecoin and crypto-to-fiat payment infrastructure for sectors including gaming, advertising and SaaS, while Founder and CEO Ruslan Zholik said demand for stablecoin payments increased fivefold this year.

Meanwhile, Soloband Games completed a Series A funding round backed by Zubr Capital, although financial terms were not disclosed. The mobile gaming studio’s flagship title, World Tour Merge, has surpassed one million downloads and was developed with input from industry veterans previously involved with studios including Playrix and Melsoft.

Looking Ahead To The Doers Summit

Attention within the local startup ecosystem is now turning toward the Doers Summit, scheduled for May 21-22 in Limassol, where organisers expect more than 10,000 founders, investors and operators to attend. The event is expected to further strengthen Cyprus’ growing position as a regional hub for startups, investment and technology innovation.

Italy And Cyprus Deepen Maritime Cooperation With Limassol Business Forum

Italy and Cyprus are stepping up cooperation in shipping, port development and maritime investment, with a business forum in Limassol bringing together policymakers, shipowners and industry leaders to explore new commercial opportunities.

The Italy-Cyprus Maritime Business Forum, organised by the Italian Embassy in Nicosia, will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 9, at the DP World Cruise Terminal in Limassol. Discussions will focus on sustainable ports, shipping regulation and international maritime corridors, with three panels connecting public-sector priorities with private investment and industry expertise.

A Strategic Partnership For Maritime Growth

The forum aims to strengthen ties between shipowners, ship managers, shipyards, port operators, insurers and maritime service providers in the two countries, with a focus on infrastructure, technology and investment.

Shipping accounts for about 7% of Cyprus’ GDP, while the wider blue economy contributes roughly 25%, according to figures cited by the organisers. Beyond shipping, the sector includes coastal tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, making maritime development an important part of Cyprus’ broader economic strategy.

Italy offers complementary strengths in shipbuilding, maritime logistics and insurance. Its shipbuilding exports exceeded €5 billion in 2025, while Italian companies accounted for 56% of global superyacht orders by volume and 36% by value.

Together, the two countries bring different but complementary capabilities: Cyprus as an international shipping hub and Italy as a major source of industrial expertise, maritime technology and shipbuilding capacity.

From Maritime Links To Commercial Opportunities

Italian ambassador to Cyprus Antonella Cavallari said the two countries should use their longstanding maritime ties to build a broader economic partnership.

“The sea has always connected Italy and Cyprus, and today it can become the engine of an even more ambitious economic partnership,” she said.

Cavallari said the forum is intended to turn this potential into practical projects, including partnerships between companies, ports and port cities, while exploring future trade routes such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Focus On Sustainable Ports And Shipping

The opening panel will examine how ports can support economic development while meeting European environmental requirements and integrating more effectively with surrounding cities.

A second session will focus on shipping management, regulatory compliance, maritime safety and industry best practices, bringing together representatives from shipowners, ship management companies, the Cyprus Shipping Chamber and DP World Limassol.

The final panel will turn to international maritime cooperation and investment in ports and terminals, with particular attention to emerging shipping corridors and IMEC.

Cyprus’ Role In IMEC

Cyprus’ position within the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will be among the key topics of the final discussion. The initiative aims to improve connectivity between India, the Middle East and Europe and could create new opportunities for ports and logistics hubs across the region.

Rona Panteli, Cyprus’ IMEC representative and head of the Connectivity Unit at the Foreign Ministry, will join the discussion alongside representatives of the Port System Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea, Cyprus Ports Authority, Invest Cyprus and the Italian-Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

Building A Broader Maritime Ecosystem

Beyond the formal panels, the forum is designed to connect Italian and Cypriot businesses and encourage partnerships across shipping, logistics and maritime services.

The event is organised with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), the Italian-Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Keve), the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC), Invest Cyprus, the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel) and the Cyprus-Italy Business Association.

DP World and Limassol Municipality are supporting the event, which is being held under the auspices of the Shipping Deputy Ministry.

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