For the first time, at the bi-annual SyNERGY MED conference for researchers, there was a dedicated session on the value of turning research into a commercial business. The session, titled “Innovation in Energy: Perspectives and Success Stories in the Commercialization of Research”, was hosted by Cyprus Seeds, PHAETHON’s innovation partner.
Keynote speaker, Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation, and Technology of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Skourides, emphasized the importance of this focus: “Cyprus is at the brink of a transformative era. Research, technology, and innovation are fundamental tools, vital to the future of our country. The ability to use them effectively will position us for success!”.
The session featured presentations on commercializing research, including insights from Mikkel Sørensen, Director of DTU Skylab, and Maria Markidou Georgiadou, Managing Director of Cyprus Seeds. Maria Georgiadou highlighted the role of Cyprus Seeds in supporting innovation: “Our mission is to bridge the gap between research and market, providing the necessary support to turn groundbreaking research into viable businesses.”
A fireside chat with Mr. Skourides, moderated by Mikkel Sørensen, delved deeper into the strategies for fostering an innovation ecosystem. “Together, we embark on a journey towards a more innovative, prosperous, and sustainable Cyprus, driven by research, innovation, and technological advancement”, Mr. Skourides added.
The Event also included a panel discussion featuring success stories in Cyprus from the energy sector, with CEOs from Energy Intel, Ascanio, and iQ3Solar, one of the spinoffs of the Cyprus Seeds program, sharing their experiences. The session concluded with a Q&A, allowing participants to engage directly with the speakers.
Margarita Kyprianou, Program Manager at Cyprus Seeds, remarked on the significance of such events: “By showcasing success stories and providing a platform for dialogue, we aim to inspire and equip researchers with the tools they need to commercialize their innovations.”
The feedback from participants indicated a strong need for more focus on this topic to help boost and support the innovation ecosystem across the EMMENA region.
ABOUT SyNERGY MED (SyNERGY MED | 2024)
- SyNERGY MED is a bi-annual conference that brings together research and stakeholders in the energy sector, to foster closer collaboration across the EMMENA region and share research insights.
- This year the network brought together around 150 people from approximately 20 different countries , including representatives from Turkey, Cyprus, Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark.
- The year, SSyNERGY MED is organized by the University of Cyprus and Cyprus Seed.
- This year marks the 3rd edition and was hosted at Park Beach Hotel in Limassol from October 21st to 23rd
- Kadir Has University was announced to host the upcoming edition in the fall of 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey.
ABOUT PHAETHON Center of Excellence (Teaming Project)
- Starting in 2023, PHAETHON CoE has secured €15 million from the EU Horizon Europe “Teaming for Excellence” Program and an additional €30 million from the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, private enterprises, and the University of Cyprus.
- The Centre aims to contribute significantly to a green energy future by conducting state-of-the-art research on intelligent, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions. It seeks to become a world-class innovation hub, enhancing socio-economic development at national and regional levels.
- The Centre will be hosted on the University of Cyprus campus, featuring a nearly-zero energy building to be completed by 2025.
- The project partners include the Technical University of Denmark, the University of Groningen, and Cyprus Seeds. These collaborations aim to elevate the research agenda and address energy-related challenges.