Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation receives record 284 startup proposals

The Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) has concluded the submission period for its PRE-SEED/0526 call, marking a record participation of 284 proposals. All submissions were successfully processed through the foundation's IRIS electronic services portal by the deadline of September 11, 2026.

The PRE-SEED program is designed to support the creation and initial development of startups that prioritize innovative products and services with international market potential. According to the RIF, this unprecedented level of interest highlights the growing momentum and dynamism of the startup ecosystem in Cyprus, as more entrepreneurs aim to transform innovative concepts into scalable international businesses.

The next phase of the process involves a formal evaluation stage. This will include a preliminary administrative check followed by a scientific assessment of the submitted proposals to determine which projects will receive support under the RESTART program framework.