The Research and Innovation Foundation (Cyprus) has announced a new €1 million funding call aimed at supporting early-stage startup creation and development, with a focus on internationally oriented innovation.
The programme, titled “Creation and Initial Development of Startups with International Orientation (PRE-SEED),” is designed to help entrepreneurs move from idea stage to early product or service development, particularly ventures with global market potential.
Under the scheme, individual projects can receive up to €119,999 in funding. Applications must be submitted through the IRIS online portal, with a deadline set for 11 September 2026.
The initiative targets startups in their earliest phases, including those developing business concepts or beginning initial product design. The aim is to strengthen Cyprus’s innovation ecosystem by supporting companies capable of scaling beyond the domestic market.
The funding call reflects broader efforts to encourage high-growth entrepreneurship and increase the international competitiveness of Cypriot startups, particularly in technology and innovation-driven sectors.
