Cyprus Seeds offers pre-seed funding in the form of grants, in the range of €10.000 – €50.000. The grant is awarded to scientific teams, who participate in the Cyprus Seeds 18-month Programme. Eligible expenses include the following:
In some cases, funding and non-financial support will be awarded to the same project for a second cycle. However, the award will be subject to the submission of a new application.
During their journey to commercialisation, research teams have the ongoing support of their mentor/s who guide, advise, and connect them with potential clients, investors, and collaborators. The communication with mentors is mostly via virtual calls or on the ground on a monthly basis.
The mentors participating in the Cyprus Seeds mentoring Programme have proven track record as entrepreneurs and/or in the commercialisation of academic research in the US and European markets. Ηaving long and valuable academic and professional experience, the mentors act as catalysts for the successful implementation of the commercialisation strategy of the academic teams.
During the duration of the Programme, Cyprus Seeds teams attend a series of mandatory workshops that offer, among others, practical training on the commercialisation of academic research, market discovery, and pitching to investors.
As of July 2022, the Egg acceleration programme for startups is an integrated part of the Cyprus Seeds entrepreneurial training Programme.
Cyprus Seeds organises a number of events aiming to network participating teams with business angels and investors. Cyprus Seeds teams are also networked with incubators/accelerators in Greece, Boston and the neighbouring region.
At the end of each funding period, Cyprus Seeds organises a DEMO DAY during which Cyprus Seeds teams have the opportunity to pitch in front of private investors, including business angels and venture capital funds.
Cyprus Seeds teams that progress and are ready to pitch in front of investors are given the opportunity to participate in networking events organised in Greece, Boston and the neighbouring region by its strategic partners including MIT Enterprise Forum Greece and the Hellenic Innovation Network.
Cyprus Seeds grantees are given the opportunity to join one of the most reputable startups accelerators in Greece.
On the 15th of September 2022, Cyprus Seeds signed a collaboration agreement with the egg – enter•grow•go (EGG), in Greece. EGG has been running since 2013 with the support of Eurobank Greece and Corallia of the Athena Research and Innovation Center in Information, Communication, and Knowledge Technologies. EGG offers startups and scientific teams opportunities for financing, mentoring, networking, and exporting activities through the following 2 platforms:
The Cyprus Seeds teams of the 3rd cycle will be given the opportunity to join the 2023 – 2024 Start Up platform of the EGG (June 2023 – June 2024).
The Cyprus Seeds teams of the 3rd cycle will be given the opportunity to join 2023 – 2024 Start Up platform of the EGG (June 2023 – June 2024).