Three cutting-edge startups backed by Cyprus Seeds—a pre-accelerator program supported by The Hellenic Initiative (THI)—recently took center stage at ‘Investor Day,’ an event hosted by Greece’s leading business accelerator, egg. Their goal is to turn groundbreaking research into market-ready ventures.
The startups—Senssos, IoTShield, and MammoCheck—pitched their innovations to a global audience of 200 investors, including venture capitalists, corporate leaders, and business angels from Europe, Canada, the U.S., and Israel. Senssos is pioneering digital health solutions for musculoskeletal disorder prevention and rehabilitation. IoTShield has developed an advanced intrusion detection system for Internet of Things (IoT) networks, while MammoCheck offers an at-home breast health monitoring solution.
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THI, a global nonprofit mobilizing Diaspora Greeks and Philhellenes to drive economic growth in Greece, has been instrumental in supporting Cyprus Seeds. Since its launch in 2012, THI has raised over $37 million, emerging as the largest Greek Diaspora organization in the world. As a key donor, THI has contributed $360,000 to Cyprus Seeds, helping Cypriot researchers bridge the gap between academia and entrepreneurship, combat brain drain, and fuel job creation.
From Research To Business: The Cyprus Seeds Effect
For Senssos Co-Founder Christos Ioannou, Cyprus Seeds has been a game-changer: “They guided us through the critical early phase—before we were even a company—helping us think like entrepreneurs rather than just researchers.”
Christiana Ioannou of IoTShield echoed the sentiment: “We had won awards, but we didn’t know how to turn our research into a business. Cyprus Seeds showed us how to communicate with investors and position our innovation for the market. Without them, we wouldn’t be here.”
Cyprus Seeds’ impact doesn’t end when startups graduate from the program. “We continue to support them with training, mentorship, and financial guidance,” said Managing Director Maria Markidou Georgiadou. “We make sure they have what they need to scale and succeed.”
A Bridge Between Innovation and Investment
George P. Stamas, THI Board President, emphasized the significance of supporting Greek and Cypriot entrepreneurship: “The innovation coming out of Greece and Cyprus is inspiring. THI is proud to stand alongside these startups and the organizations that support them.”
Jeremy Downward, THI Board Member, reinforced the mission: “Cyprus has world-class talent, but too often, research breakthroughs don’t make it beyond the lab. Cyprus Seeds is changing that by providing the resources and expertise needed to turn visionary ideas into real-world solutions. We’re proud to support a program that drives entrepreneurship, economic growth, and job creation.”
With THI’s backing, Cyprus Seeds is proving that innovation in Cyprus isn’t just thriving—it’s ready for the global stage.
