Cyprus Seeds spearheads session on commercialising research

Non-profit organisation Cyprus Seeds led a session on commercialising research within the energy sector during its participation at the Synergy Med conference in Limassol.

According to an announcement released this week, this initiative is set to drive innovation across the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa (EMMENA) region.

Titled ‘Innovation in Energy: Perspectives and Success Stories in the Commercialisation of Research’, the session convened top voices to discuss bridging research and market needs. 

Demetris Skourides, Cyprus’ Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation, and Technology, addressed the audience, saying, “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,” he added.

The session featured insights from key figures in the field, including Mikkel Sorensen, Director of DTU Skylab, and Maria Markidou Georgiadou, Managing Director of Cyprus Seeds.

Georgiadou described Cyprus Seeds’ mission, saying, “Our mission is to bridge the gap between research and market, providing the necessary support to turn groundbreaking research into viable businesses.”  

She explained that as Phaethon’s innovation partner, “Cyprus Seeds is positioned to guide projects from lab to market, offering essential support along the way”.

In a fireside chat moderated by Sorensen, Skourides further outlined Cyprus’ goals for an innovation ecosystem.

“Together, we embark on a journey towards a more innovative, prosperous, and sustainable Cyprus, driven by research, innovation, and technological advancement,” he stated.

The event also spotlighted local success stories, including CEOs from Energy Intel, Ascanio, and iQ3Solar, who shared their experiences with commercialising energy-sector research.  

Cyprus Seeds spinoff iQ3Solar, a standout in the local innovation landscape, emphasised how Cyprus Seeds’ model can support pioneering businesses.  

Reflecting on these success stories, Cyprus Seeds’ Programme Manager Margarita Kyprianou said that “by showcasing success stories and providing a platform for dialogue, we aim to inspire and equip researchers with the tools they need to commercialise their innovations”.

Drawing around 150 participants from over 20 countries, including Turkey, Cyprus, Italy, the Netherlands, and Denmark, SyNERGY MED has established itself as a prominent forum for research and industry collaboration across the EMMENA region.  

Organised by the University of Cyprus and Cyprus Seeds, this third edition concluded with the announcement that Istanbul’s Kadir Has University will host the next Synergy Med in 2026.

Cyprus Seeds, founded in 2018, has become a vital resource for research commercialisation in Cyprus. The organisation’s 18-month programme provides grants, mentoring, training, and networking to enable research teams to take their projects from lab to market.  

The organisation has stated that it has “a strong focus on reversing the brain drain”, offering talented Cypriot researchers the chance to realise their commercial potential at home.

Also driving Cyprus’ innovation efforts, the Phaethon Centre of Excellence, launched in 2023 under the EU’s Horizon Europe “Teaming for Excellence” Programme, seeks to advance the country’s green energy goals.

Funded with €15 million from the EU and €30 million from the Cypriot government, private partners, and the University of Cyprus, Phaethon aims to become a leading innovation hub.

Set on the University of Cyprus campus, it will operate from a near-zero energy building expected to be completed by 2025, reinforcing Cyprus’ role at the forefront of sustainable energy research.