NVIDIA and Microsoft take a Nicosia stage on 9 September

EY's Cyprus Future Realized Forum returns on Tuesday with two global tech executives added to the line-up and the President opening. The theme: what technology access now does to a country's investment case.

€100,000 in, €1.5m out: two UCY researchers land ERC Starting Grants worth €3m

Dr Myrofora Panayi and Dr Maria Kalli of the University of Cyprus have each won a €1.5m European Research Council Starting Grant — off national support of €100,000 per researcher, a fifteenfold leverage effect.

Why Cyprus wants its robots to make mistakes — and what the WRO surprise rule tests on 19 September

At the WRO Cyprus national final on 19 September, organisers will change the rules shortly before teams compete. It is a deliberate test of adaptability — and it mirrors what four Cypriot robotics labs are chasing in warehouses, disaster zones and the sea.

Event: WRO Cyprus 2026 - National Robotics Competition

€1.6m and a Miami launch: 33East backs Cyprus-founded Piney

Piney has raised €1.6 million and opened in the US, taking its total to €2.8m. From 1,300 properties in late 2024 to over 5,000 across six countries — a useful data point on what "start in Cyprus, scale out" looks like.

Free, 80+ activities: European Researchers' Night hits Nicosia on 25 September

Cyprus' biggest science and innovation night turns 20 this year. Friday 25 September at the Cyprus State Fair, Halls A & B — experiments, demos, workshops and competitions, free to walk into.

The 5% question: Cyprus spends 0.68% of GDP on research, and the EU average is 2.26%

A call for Cyprus to invest 5 per cent of GDP in research and innovation by 2032 lands against sobering numbers — €213.6m in 2023, just 0.68% of GDP, with business R&D running five times below the EU average.

Plug and Play Cyprus stages its first innovation expo in Limassol on 11 November

The Silicon Valley accelerator's Cyprus arm will close its inaugural cohort with a free public expo at ETKO in Limassol on 11 November, putting all 10 startups on show alongside VC matchmaking and mentoring sessions.

€15,000 and a pilot with a bank: FinQuest 2026 closes 20 September

Alpha Bank's FinQuest 2026 is open to startups, fintechs and scale-ups across Europe — including Cyprus. Four AI-led tracks, a €15,000 cash prize, a two-month accelerator and a real pilot with the bank. Applications close 20 September.

Cyprus Computer Society submits 33 recommendations on the National AI Strategy 2032

The Cyprus Computer Society has filed 33 recommendations on the National AI Strategy 2032, pressing for a single costed implementation plan, clearer accountability, and a breakdown of the 3,000-AI-specialist training target by competency category.

Free and open to all: UCY opens a public AI lecture series on 15 September

"Artificial Intelligence Today and Tomorrow - Risk or Opportunity, Ally or Enemy" kicks off a new public series at the University of Cyprus Ceremonies Hall in Nicosia, 18:00-20:00. Free entry, registration by form.

ENISA brings the European Cybersecurity Skills Conference to Larnaca on 4-5 November

ENISA and Cyprus's Digital Security Authority host the 4th edition in Larnaca, built around the revised European Cybersecurity Skills Framework and the EU proposal on attestation of cybersecurity skills. Registration is due to open in September.

ROBO's first Train the Trainers workshop lands at CYENS on 26 September

Four hours on Kypruino and RoboRover - block-based first, then C++ - led by ROBO founder Odysseas Oikonomides. Places are limited, and it plugs straight into the WRO and Robotex coaching pipeline.

⏳ Eight days left: RIF's €1m PRE-SEED call closes 11 September

Up to €119,999 per startup for teams building products with global market ambitions. Submissions go through the IRIS portal and close at 13:00 on 11 September 2026 - if your hackathon project has legs, this is the nearest funding door.

€1.53m on the table: RIF opens a NIS2 cybersecurity call for Cyprus SMEs

The Research and Innovation Foundation and the Digital Security Authority will fund €20,000-€100,000 per project to get NIS2 "important entity" SMEs certified at CyFun Basic level. Proposals close 10 November at 13:00 - and there is a free webinar on 18 September.

Registrations open for the EUDIS Defence Hackathon — Cyprus node runs 15–17 October

Applications are now live for the 5th EUDIS Defence Hackathon, running simultaneously in eight European countries including Cyprus. The theme is "Autonomy on the Battlefield," and an online info session for prospective participants takes place on 10 September.

72,000 kilometres, quantum-protected: Cyprus and Greece complete a first secure satellite link

Sparkle and Greek-Cypriot operator Hellas Sat have run the first quantum-secure satellite data connection between Cyprus and Greece, hardening the link against "store now, decrypt later" attacks.

73 coders, 19 universities: Pafos Camp 2026 turned Pafos into an ICPC training ground

Oxford, Cambridge, Delft and KIT sent teams to Pafos for a week of algorithms — and a Dutch team walked away with the Pafos Cup. Here is what happened, and why it matters for anyone in Cyprus who competes.

Silver and bronze: Cyprus takes two medals at the International Olympiad in Informatics

Mariza Paspalli won silver and Alexander Minko bronze for Cyprus at IOI 2026 in Tashkent (9-16 August). It is the island's second international result of the summer - and the national route that leads there is open to any school student who codes.

RIF opens Researchers in Schools 2026-27 - and for the first time, pupils can come to your lab

The Research and Innovation Foundation is looking for researchers willing to spend a day in a Cyprus classroom this school year - and, new for 2026-27, research organisations can host pupils on site instead. Expressions of interest close 3pm on 30 September.

RIF opens a call for 15 Cyprus startups to join Slush 2026 in Helsinki - applications close 14 September

The Research and Innovation Foundation will cover the entry ticket plus a EUR 300 subsidy per person for up to 15 Cyprus-based tech companies heading to Slush 2026 on 18-19 November. Applications close at 1 p.m. on 14 September.

WN Conference Cyprus'26 returns to Limassol on 17-18 September - publishers, investors and a Developer Showcase

Two days of games industry meetings in Limassol on 17-18 September, in its 5th year. Developer Showcase, Cyprus Games Industry Awards, and a meeting scheduler that opens on 3 September.

DevFest Cyprus 2026 is set for 31 October in Nicosia — one day of AI, Cloud and Flutter

GDG Cyprus has locked the date for its community conference: Saturday 31 October, 09:30–17:00 in Nicosia. Expert talks on AI, ML, Firebase, Flutter, Web and Cloud, plus a hands-on workshop run by a Googler. Venue and speakers are still to be announced.

Plug and Play Cyprus names its first 10 startups — and Limassol cracks the global top 200

Batch 1 of the Silicon Valley accelerator's Cyprus programme is live: 10 teams, three months in Limassol, and a three-year plan to back around 60 startups. Good news if you are hunting for a place to take a hackathon project further.

Cyprus is now a top-10 European games country — and studios can only hire 10-40 local grads a year

415 studios on the island made an estimated €3.2bn from games in 2025, putting Cyprus 3rd worldwide for mobile downloads. The catch: the industry could absorb 100-300 juniors a year and universities produce a fraction of that. If you are building a portfolio here, that gap is your opening.

€16,000 in prizes: BoC Fintech Hackathon 7.0 opens its call for 27-29 November

The Bank of Cyprus is back with its 7th innovation marathon, in person at the IDEA Innovation Center in Nicosia. Applications are open now, 13 challenge tracks, and €16,000 in announced prizes - with more still to come.

Event: BoC Fintech Hackathon 7.0

INVESTech 2026 finals confirmed for 22-24 September at Frederick University Limassol

The Cyprus INVESTech skills competition closes with a three-day final in Limassol, not the single day first announced - and the top two teams earn a trip to Lithuania in March 2027.

Event: INVESTech 2026 Software Engineering Skills Competition (Cyprus)

Cyprus wins 4 bronze medals on its AI Olympiad debut

Eight Cypriot school students, two teams, four bronze medals and two honourable mentions at IOAI 2026 in Astana. Here is how the squad was picked - and how to get into next year's.

Cyprus Cyber Security Challenge 2026: results are in, national ECSC team takes shape

The week-long online CTF (2-9 August) has wrapped and CCSC 2026's final results are out. Top performers now form the Cyprus national team heading to the European Cyber Security Challenge in Bochum this October.

Cyprus Cyber Security Challenge 2026 runs 2-9 August - online CTF picks the national team for ECSC

The Cyprus Computer Society opens the 2026 Cyprus Cyber Security Challenge: a week-long online capture-the-flag competition, open to all ages, that selects the national team heading to the European Cyber Security Challenge in Bochum.

Cyprus competes at the International Olympiad in AI for the first time

A Cypriot school team travels to Astana for the 3rd International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence, 2-8 August 2026 - the country's debut appearance, after a season-long national training programme run by JetBrains with Neapolis University Pafos and the Cyprus Computer Society.

Robots Meet Culture: WRO Cyprus 2026 national final set for 19 September in Nicosia

The Cyprus Computer Society opens the 2026 World Robot Olympiad national round at European University Cyprus. Open platforms replace the LEGO-only rule, and the winning teams fly to Zagreb and Puerto Rico.

Frederick University students send INVESTech hackathon solutions to a September grand final

Computer Science and Computer Engineering students in Limassol built accessibility, sign-language and home energy tools during the INVESTech Hackathon and Pitching Day. Twenty teams from Cyprus, Slovakia and Lithuania now head to the 23 September grand final.

Youth Tech Fest Cyprus returns 6 February 2027 - free entry, Roblox hackathon, 40+ UK universities

The 5th Youth Tech Fest lands at The Warehouse by IT Quarter in Limassol on 6 February 2027. Free entry, a Roblox Games Hackathon for ages 9+, a startup pitch den and a UK universities exhibition.

Event: 5th Youth Tech Fest Cyprus 2027

Competen.CY 2026: three coding games, one weekend, no travel needed

Cyprus's beginner-friendly competitive hackathon runs fully online on 28-29 November 2026. A CTF quiz, a bug-fixing race and a live territory battle - plus a broadcast awards ceremony. Registration opens 1 November.

⚓ Frederick University hackathon takes on port emissions this October

The Cyprus stop of the EU-CONEXUS ENABLES series has a confirmed theme: decarbonising port operations with smart energy and digital twins. 13–14 October, teams of 3–5, registration details coming soon.

Event: EU-CONEXUS ENABLES Hackathon (Cyprus)

Cyprus joins the EUDIS Defence Hackathon — pre-registration is open

For the first time, Cyprus is one of eight European host countries for the EU-funded EUDIS Defence Hackathon. It runs 15–17 October under the theme “Autonomy on the Battlefield”, and pre-registration is already live.

Event: EUDIS Defence Hackathon Autumn 2026 — Cyprus

Cyprus joins the EUDIS Defence Hackathon this October — dual-use tech, EU-wide pitch

For the first time, Cyprus hosts a node of the EU's EUDIS Defence Hackathon (15–17 Oct). Theme: Autonomy on the Battlefield. Pre-registration is open now.

Event: EUDIS Defence Hackathon Autumn 2026 — Cyprus

Robotex Cyprus 2026 draws 700 competitors to Nicosia for drones, AI and SUMO robots

The 9th Pancyprian Educational & Athletic Robotics Competition filled the University of Cyprus Sports Centre on 27-28 June with 216 teams and more than 20 challenges. Winners head to Robotex International, staged in South Korea for the first time.

iFX Hack 2026 wraps in Limassol, winners recognised at iFX EXPO International

The 24-hour iFX Hack 2026, a trading and fintech hackathon powered by AWS, ran on 13-14 June at the University of Limassol, with the winning teams recognised during iFX EXPO International 2026.

Event: iFX Hack 2026

iFX Hack 2026 names its track winners as results land at iFX EXPO Limassol

The inaugural iFX Hack 2026 hackathon at the University of Limassol has named three track winners — Trade Mirror, Grongo and UCY Finter — with the overall winner revealed live at iFX EXPO International on 18 June.

Event: iFX Hack 2026

iFX EXPO International 2026 brings the online trading world to Limassol

One of the online trading industry's largest international gatherings is taking place in Limassol on 16-18 June at City of Dreams Mediterranean, with more than 6,500 attendees. The expo follows iFX Hack 2026, the AWS-powered fintech hackathon held at the University of Limassol on 13-14 June.

Event: iFX Hack 2026

iFX Hack 2026: 24-hour AWS-powered fintech hackathon kicks off iFX EXPO in Limassol

Ahead of iFX EXPO International 2026 in Limassol (June 16-18), organisers ran iFX Hack 2026 - a 24-hour trading and fintech hackathon powered by AWS at the University of Limassol on June 13-14.

Event: iFX Hack 2026

iFX Hack 2026 wraps in Limassol — winners recognised at iFX EXPO this week

Cyprus's 24-hour Trading & Fintech Hackathon, powered by AWS, ran on 13–14 June at the University of Limassol. Winning teams are being recognised this week during iFX EXPO International (16–18 June, City of Dreams Mediterranean, Limassol).

Event: iFX Hack 2026

iFX EXPO International launches iFX Hack 2026 — 24-hour fintech hackathon powered by AWS

iFX EXPO International has unveiled iFX Hack 2026, a free 24-hour trading and fintech hackathon at the University of Limassol on 13–14 June, powered by AWS. Winning teams will be recognised at the main iFX EXPO International on 16–18 June.

Event: iFX Hack 2026

iFX Hack 2026: 24-hour Trading & Fintech Hackathon powered by AWS lands in Limassol

iFX EXPO International launches iFX Hack 2026, a free 24-hour trading & fintech hackathon powered by AWS, running 13–14 June at the University of Limassol.

Event: iFX Hack 2026

UCLan Cyprus holds its 1st Engineering Hackathon in Larnaka

UCLan Cyprus successfully concluded its inaugural Engineering Hackathon on 26-27 May 2026, where student teams built robotic-based solutions for environmental sustainability challenges.

Event: 1st Engineering Hackathon at UCLan Cyprus

AI-driven bus tracking wins 1st Cyprus Transport Hackathon

An AI-driven approach to bus tracking took first prize at the 1st Cyprus Transport Hackathon.

Event: 1st Cyprus Transport Hackathon

BoC Fintech Hackathon 6.0: over 100 innovators, Labs.cy wins first prize

More than 100 participants joined the 6th Bank of Cyprus Fintech Hackathon at the IDEA Innovation Centre, showcasing ideas in smart cities, green banking and open innovation.

Event: BoC Fintech Hackathon 6.0

Zubr Capital hosts its first Young Hackathon in Limassol

Private equity firm Zubr Capital hosted its first Young Hackathon at the Parklane Hotel in Limassol on 23 October 2025, taking students and early-stage founders through the full startup journey in a single day.

Event: Zubr Capital Young Hackathon