THI Supports Cyprus Seeds Program Providing Business Expertise and Funding
Three dynamic startups sponsored by Cyprus Seeds, the pre-accelerator supported by The Hellenic Initiative (THI), showcased their groundbreaking innovations to potential investors at the ‘Investor Day’ organized by egg (a leading Greek business accelerator).
Senssos, a digital health tech startup developing data-driven biofeedback tools for the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders; IoTShield, an advanced intrusion detection system for the Internet of Things; and MammoCheck, an innovative home-based breast health monitoring solution, were among 41 startups presenting to an audience of 200, including VP managers, corporate investors, and Business Angels from Europe, Canada, the U.S., and Israel.
THI is a global non-profit organization that brings together Diaspora Greeks and Philhellenes to invest in Greece through programs focused on economic development and crisis relief. Since its founding in 2012, THI has raised more than $37 million and has grown to be the largest Greek Diaspora organization in the world. As a founding and anchor donor, THI has donated $360,000 to date to Cyprus Seeds, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating brain drain and fostering employment by supporting the transition of Cypriot-based research from the lab to the market by providing know-how and funding.
Christos Ioannou, Senssos Co-Founder, highlighted the critical role pre-accelerators play in transforming research into viable businesses.“Cyprus Seeds provides crucial help before a company is officially established—when it’s still just a research group. They guided us through the first steps of commercializing our research, teaching us to think as innovators and entrepreneurs, not just as scientists.”
The impact of Cyprus Seeds was echoed by Christiana Ioannou of IoTShield, who emphasized: “We won awards, but we didn’t know how to run a business. Cyprus Seeds taught us how to communicate our science to investors. If it weren’t for Cyprus Seeds, we wouldn’t be here.”
Maria Markidou Georgiadou, Managing Director of Cyprus Seeds, emphasized their ongoing commitment to the startups they support: “We don’t abandon them after they complete our program. We help them find additional training, guidance, and financial support. We continue to follow up, ensuring they have the resources needed to grow.”
George P. Stamas, THI Board President, expressed pride in THI’s role in advancing Greek and Cypriot innovation: “Every time I see the incredible work being done by Greek and Cypriot startups, along with the organizations supporting them, I am thrilled and proud that THI is at their side.”
Jeremy Downward, THI Board Member, reinforced THI’s mission to bridge knowledge gaps and empower entrepreneurs: “ Cyprus is home to incredible talent and innovation, but too often, groundbreaking research struggles to make it beyond the lab. Cyprus Seeds is bridging this gap, ensuring that visionary ideas become real-world solutions that benefit society and the economy. THI is proud to support a program that not only strengthens entrepreneurship but also fuels economic growth and job creation in Cyprus.”
