Mission and Vision

Our Mission and Vision

Our vision is to slow down the ”brain drain” in Cyprus of talented researchers. To achieve this, we want to create a pipeline of Cypriot technology startups, which will create employment opportunities and have an impact on society. 

What is Cyprus Seeds?

A not-for-profit organisation with the mission to help commercialise innovative academic research.

Vision

Our vision is to reduce the "brain drain" in Cyprus.

Inspiration

Our work is inspired by similar programs running successfully in the USA and Europe.

Benefits for Cyprus

We have several tangible benefits for Cyprus.

What makes us unique?

A public-private partnership

We are a public-private partnership. Our founding members are the A. G. Leventis Foundation, The Hellenic Initiative, and the Government of Cyprus. The Government supports us through the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, and the Research and Innovation Foundation. Major private donors are Eurobank Cyprus, EY Cyprus and Mohari Hospitality. Important donations are made by corporations and private individuals in Cyprus and abroad.

Supported by Diaspora

We are the only initiative in Cyprus that attracted the attention and support of Greeks and Cypriots of the Diaspora.

Focus on research commercialisation

We are the only Cypriot initiative focusing on supporting public and private universities, Centres of Excellence, and research centres to commercialise their research and form startups.

Equity-free

We are a not-for-profit and equity-free organisation.

International partners

Our strategic partners are the MIT Enterprise Forum and the EGG accelerator in Greece.

Success stories

In less than 5 years, we have achieved tangible success stories, including the conclusion of 2 option-to-be-licensing agreements and the formation of two startups from a Cypriot university.

What is Cyprus Seeds?

A non-profit organisation, to help commercialise innovative academic research from public and private universities, Centres of Excellence and research institutions of Cyprus.

We fund research with market potential in Cyprus. In addition to grants, we offer mentoring, entrepreneurial training and networking opportunities with potential investors from Cyprus and abroad.

Cyprus Seeds is, therefore, more than just a grant programme! It is a unique initiative establishing a hub of excellence in which academic research teams receive entrepreneurial training, mentoring, and networking support to create successful businesses.

Vision

Our vision is to bring academic ideas closer to the market and increase the deal flow of Cypriot technology spin-offs, creating a source of jobs and wealth for Cyprus.

We support the commercialisation of academic research projects, with strong IP value and global market potential, in all Cypriot universities, research institutions and Centres of Excellence.

Inspiration

Cyprus Seeds is inspired by similar programmes running successfully in the USA and Europe, including the Programme of the Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The MIT Deshpande Center has been operating successfully with huge impact, for more than 20 years, resulting in a huge pipeline of innovative technology startups.

Benefits for Cyprus

Cyprus Seeds has tangible benefits for Cyprus. To name but a few:

  • The planting of the seeds to stimulate a new, technology-driven entrepreneurial culture in Cyprus.
  • A pipeline of technology companies in Cyprus leading to the creation of highly skilled jobs.
  • The reduction of Cypriot scientists in the country, or the ”brain drain” effect.
  • The expansion of dialogue between the academia, centres of excellence and industry.
  • The support to develop research in the lab to the next stage (the prototype), to attract funding from private investors.
  • An ecosystem of new companies to make Cyprus attractive to investors.