When Vlad Gramovich launched UoLIrator, the idea was simple: build a startup accelerator not just hosted by a university, but deeply embedded in its mission. Fast forward to today, and the program has attracted more than 100 applications, launched its first cohort of startups, and brought Cyprus one step closer to the global innovation map.
In this exclusive interview with The Future Media, Gramovich shares what it took to launch a top-tier accelerator inside the University of Limassol, why Cyprus is becoming a serious player in the European startup scene, and what founders and funders can expect next.
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Vlad Gramovich is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of B2B4U.ME and LegalTaxLevel.eu (Poland). For 15+ years, he held C-level positions at major IT companies and served for several years as Payoneer’s Brand Ambassador for Belarus and Poland. In 2025, he led the creation of UoLIrator.
What was the original motivation behind UoLlrator?
One of my life mottos is: “Let’s create the good together, and then there will be no space left for the bad.”
The idea of launching a startup accelerator came while I was studying for my Executive MBA. Our diploma projects were framed as if we were going through a mock acceleration program. It allowed us to approach every assignment through a business lens.
The second reason comes from my own startup experience. My team and I went through the Rocket DAO acceleration program, where we significantly transformed both our prototype and pitch deck with the help of suggested mentors. But the most important aspect for us was access to a strong community of investors, mentors, other startups, advisors, etc. That community helped us connect to pre-seed investors. Unfortunately, the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 reshuffled everything.
Soon after, I realized I had the knowledge, experience, strength, resources, and motivation to build a startup accelerator together with a team of committed stakeholders. My personal drive comes from giving back to the world, stemming from a sense of gratitude for the support and help from everyone I’ve encountered along my entrepreneurial journey.
University accelerators are not common in Europe. Why build this within the University of Limassol?
The University of Limassol was the perfect match. Board member Areti Charidemou very сlearly defined the mission of the accelerator: “To boost ideas to become real businesses.” Setting this mission statement was probably the launch point of UoLlrator.
Indeed, we kicked off the project very quickly. It was like a spark, an engine ignition. That’s why we added the word “Ignite” to the branding.
There are more than 3,000 startup accelerators in Europe, but only around two dozen are university-related. From that perspective, UoLIrator is part of the top 1% of European accelerators.
To be honest, we were inspired by StratX, the Stanford-affiliated startup accelerator. The StratX network is one of the most well-known in Silicon Valley. We are working on developing our community, as well, pushing Cyprus further onto the global startup map.
You had over 100 applications for the first cohort. How did you choose the final teams? What were you prioritizing?
It was a real challenge for us. We didn’t expect such a hype response. While speaking with VC funds during UoLlrator’s launch, we listened carefully to what investors are actually looking for and are ready to invest in at pre-seed and seed stages. Based on our conversations, we created our own scoring methodology and invited our mentors to help evaluate the applications.
The second criterion was a match with the University’s focus area. That’s why the first cohort includes two EdTech startups, two in publishing, and one working on public opinion forecasting. We’re also looking for teams that can collaborate with the University R&D center and join our Innovation Hub. In fact, we found a couple of startups that are not in the first cohort, but they started collaborating with our R&D team. These are socially significant projects.
All the startups selected for the first cohort are AI-driven. But we weren’t just interested in whether they use AI. We were digging deeper into how they use and orchestrate it.
Startups with an existing and working prototype scored higher in our evaluations, as well as existing users. And last but not least, the criterion was the team. We looked at their expertise, past achievements, vision, adaptability, challenges, and even the internal dynamics.
Can you highlight a few teams that capture what the program is all about?
- Unpress.AI — a newsroom platform that gathers, fact-checks, and publishes breaking news in near‑real time. Several media outlets are already piloting the beta version.
- KnowFlow — an AI tool that instantly builds training courses on demand and on any topic. The beta is live on the App Store and is already gaining traction with users.
Both prototypes stood out from the MVP stage onward.
It’s not just about the product. The real value of the acceleration program is in defining your strategy and working on the market fit and monetization model.
There is also strong academic support: we teach startups how to apply various analytical methodologies, track and compare metrics, and systematically build and test new hypotheses.
How did you go about choosing the mentors? And how hands-on are they with the startups?
I pitched the concept to local tech and business communities, the University of Limassol’s faculty, as well as entrepreneurs and investors. The response to my call-to-action was amazing.
Many of our mentors were mentees themselves at one point, so they understand the value of support during the early stages of building something.
The majority of our mentors are motivated by the simple “karma of giving back” idea. That mindset is something that connects us as mentors: we’re on the same track.
We have brought together a great mix of cross-sectoral industry experts and professionals, business owners and top managers, matured or post-exit start-up founders, academic professors, and, of course, investors.
Each startup is paired with a mentor—a “master mentor”— who helps guide them through the process. They also bring in specialized mentors when needed. These master mentors stay regularly connected with their startups via chats and calls. In some cases, a master mentor might become even more involved and meet the team almost daily. The UoLIrator’s team is more than happy to see that kind of synergy.
How was the program funded, and who were the key partners that helped make it happen?
The energy and enthusiasm of the UoLIrator team are our most valuable (though unquantifiable) resources. The University of Limassol provides the infrastructure—office space, hardware, demo‑day venues, and more. Other partners contribute by offering free-of-charge or discounted services, as well as extended trial periods.
But most importantly, when the UoLIrator was launched, we attracted a lot of attention from potential partners and sponsors. We are currently in negotiations with them. I can confidently say that the second cohort, planned for this autumn, will be even more resource-intensive and even more ambitious.
What does a typical week in the program look like for participants?
Each startup meets regularly with the dedicated master mentor, who orchestrates sessions with subject‑matter experts. Together, they analyse the product, hunt for growth levers, and challenge assumptions. Sometimes, the team and the mentor decide to test a new hypothesis or explore a pivot. For example, Unpress.AI expanded its focus to include both the European and the US markets, whereas previously they were focusing only on the US.
Every Thursday, we hold an in‑house demo day where startups and mentors report weekly on their progress. We also host weekly demo days with a guest lecture or workshop. Topics have ranged from “Legal Aspects of Incorporation in Cyprus” to “Mobile and Affiliate Marketing” and “Growth Hacking Tricks.” These demo days are open-door events, and anybody from the public can join.
There are rumors that unofficial after-parties take place every Thursday, but we cannot confirm this information. Either way, they’ve proven to be a fun and valuable networking space.
You are planning an investor event at the end of the program. What kind of interest are you seeing so far, and what are you hoping it leads to?
We’re seeing a lot of interest from investors, which is hugely encouraging. Each cohort culminates in a final Pitch Deck Battle followed by an Investor Afterparty event. Many investors have already confirmed their participation.
As I mentioned earlier, one of our primary goals is to build a community around UoLIrator.
Even during the program, we are facilitating and at times, moderating, conversations between cohort founders and investors. VSs want startups that are already structured and predictable. UpLorator’s program is designed to deliver exactly that.
We teach founders how to speak the same language as investors and ensure the dialogue is constructive. Once a startup is ready to pitch, we connect them to relevant investors in our network.
What we hope to achieve is not just funding, but long-term partnerships that help these startups grow and scale globally. We want to see strong relationships built on trust and shared goals, setting the stage for these startups to succeed and make a real difference.
What kind of feedback are you getting from the participants and the wider university and tech community?
Early‑stage teams gain a ton of insight, especially around market potential and understanding customer needs. Sometimes founders push back hard during mentor discussions because they’re still attached to their original idea. But real metrics like MRR, LTV, or retention often open their eyes. Our mentors’ experience and communication skills help uncover growth points that many teams hadn’t even imagined.
I receive weekly feedback from startups full of inspiration, insights, fresh ideas, and honest reflections. That feedback helps us grow together and continuously improve the program together.
Why base something like this in Cyprus? What advantages or challenges does the location bring?
Cyprus wasn’t a random choice. In the latest StartupBlink index, the island jumped nine places, making it the fastest‑growing startup ecosystem in the European Union. The number of Cyprus-based startups is now five times what it was in 2020. Launching UoLlrator is our way of helping to turbocharge that growth.
Cyprus also offers one of the most attractive IP Box regimes in Europe, allowing startups to benefit from highly favourable tax rates on income derived from qualifying intellectual property. In addition, dividend income for non-domiciled shareholders is tax-free, making it especially attractive for international founders and investors.
So yes, Cyprus provides both financial and strategic advantages for incorporation. And of course, the great climate and beautiful nature are great pluses.
Do you see this as a one-time initiative or the beginning of a longer-term program?
We absolutely see this as a permanent, cyclical“success factory.” We plan to support one cohort per season, that is, four cohorts a year.
The next intake is scheduled for October 2025.
The biggest challenge is sourcing high‑quality projects. Good startups are rare, and they come in at different stages and across diverse industries. If someone reading this has a strong idea, we encourage them to apply on our website.
We also plan to run a dedicated educational “mock” cohort exclusively for University of Limassol students. Ideally, this will become part of the academic curriculum for business-related disciplines.
What impact are you hoping this has, not just on the startups, but on the business and education landscape in Cyprus?
UoLIrator is more than an acceleration program; it’s an open‑door community. Everybody wins. Startup founders have a place to hone their projects. Investors have a reliable source to scout promising deals. Mentors get to give back. And partners are increasingly lining up to get involved. We’re already seeing that virtuous circle take shape.
The next cohort starts soon. Will your startup be part of it?
UoLIrator is now accepting applications for its next cohort. Whether you’re building in AI, edtech, or something the world hasn’t seen yet, the program offers mentorship, networking, and a direct line to investors, right from the University of Limassol.
Submit your startup at uolirator.com and take the first step from idea to impact.
