Cyprus Seeds, the non-for-profit organization supporting the commercialization of state-of-the-art research coming from Cypriot universities and Research Centers, organized its first networking event in London, on the 28th of April at the Science Museum.
The High Commissionaire of the Republic of Cyprus in the UK, Mr. Andreas K. Kakouris, Mr. Stelios Himonas, Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Ministry for Research, Innovation & Digital Policy, The Greek Ambassador in London, Theo Paphitis, a Dragon on Dragons’ Den, and a very large number of the Leventis and George David families honored the Event with their presence.
Welcome speeches were given by Mr. Anastasios P. Leventis, the Chairman of the A. G Leventis Foundation, Mr. George David, co-founder of Cyprus Seeds, and Dr. Stelios Himonas. In his speech, Mr. George David highlighted the vital contribution of Cyprus Seeds in keeping the Cypriot promising human capital in Cyprus and giving them a future in their own country by supporting them to turn their academic research and innovation into startups, resulting to opportunities for jobs and economic growth. Dr. Stelios Himonas congratulated Cyprus Seeds donors, mentors, and the management for their significant contribution to nurturing innovation in Cyprus, which he said ‘is the only way to build a sustainable and green economy.’
Ms. Maria Georgiadou, the Managing Director of Cyprus Seeds, presented the Cyprus Seeds funding program and activities as well as the most important milestones during three years of Cyprus Seeds’ successful operations.
The following four Cyprus Seeds academic teams gave 7-minute presentations to an audience of early-stage investors, technology transfer experts, and Cypriot professionals in the city of London. academics, and graduates from top UK universities:
- Ablasonic: MRI-guided robotic system for non-invasive surgery for pancreatic cancer – Cyprus University of Technology;
- SOLEX: Innovative early detection of faults in Photovoltaic (PV) Systems – University of Cyprus;
- DIMEC: Novel medical device for Direct In-vivo Monitoring of the Endometrial Cavity – University of Cyprus;
- ARTES: Art Characterization Services that prove the authenticity of works of art – The Cyprus Institute.
In his closing speech, Mr. Andreas Markides, Chairman of Markides Associates Consultants, referred to the common characteristics of Cyprus Seeds with the Ancient Greeks. Mr. Theo Paphitis greeted the audience and congratulated the Cyprus Seeds teams and its Managing Director for their excellent work.
Τhe Event was sponsored and supported by the A.G. Leventis Foundation, the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Eurobank Cyprus, Eurobank Cyprus, The Hellenic Bankers Association, The Hellenic Tech Network, and the Circular Economy Alliance. Cyprus Seeds is about to announce its third call for applications in September to give the opportunity to more talented research of Cyprus to commercialize their research.
The Hellenic Initiative, A.G. Leventis Foundation, EY Cyprus, and Eurobank Cyprus continue to support Cyprus Seeds for the third year. New corporations, including ExxonMobil Cyprus and Genesis Farma, recently joined the distinguished network of donors.
