The University of Cyprus Centre for Entrepreneurship has announced the launch of the Cyprus Entrepreneurship Competition 2026, known as CyEC, with applications now open for teams and individuals seeking to develop innovative business ideas.
The annual competition is organised by the university’s Centre for Entrepreneurship under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry. It aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in an economy increasingly shaped by new technologies, research and business development.
The competition is open to start-ups, individuals with original ideas and experienced professionals from Cyprus’ business and research sectors. Its main objective is to help promising initiatives develop into viable, internationally oriented businesses, with emphasis on identifying the right problem-solution fit and product-market fit.
Applications can be submitted through the competition’s official website, cyec.org.cy.
Participants can apply in one of two categories. The Accelerator category is aimed at early-stage ideas, with applications open from June 26 to September 4, 2026. The LaunchPad category is designed for more mature ideas and companies that have already introduced products or services to the market, with applications open from June 26 to October 4, 2026.
Detailed criteria for both categories are available on the CyEC website.
After the evaluation process is completed, selected Accelerator teams will take part in a business acceleration programme designed to help them refine their ideas and strengthen their business plans.
LaunchPad teams will also be able to attend selected workshops if they wish. The only compulsory session for LaunchPad participants will be a presentation preparation workshop, aimed at helping them pitch their idea or business effectively before the judging panel.
Teams from both categories will later take part in a pitching event before judges and an audience, competing for cash and other prizes. The top two teams in each category will receive cash awards, with the amounts to be announced in a later press release and published on the competition’s website.
A third winning team will also be selected in each category through the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Panis News.
In addition to the Accelerator programme, each team will have access to mentors who will provide tailored advice, practical solutions and guidance aimed at improving the development of their business ideas.
In recent years, the competition has received more than 290 applications. Previous winners in the Accelerator category include Malloc, Bolsterup, Heroes Made, IQ3Solar, Elysia Solutions and CertiLingo.
