Startups4Peace brings the communities of Cyprus together and provides the motivation, the knowledge and the means to build and grow new business ventures.
Goals
About
We aim to encourage innovative startup entrepreneurship with intercommunal vision in Cyprus, to bring together and increase contacts between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities and support entrepreneurs in developing their businesses.
Su4P will provide much needed support to new and fledgling businesses through the delivery of;
- Expert support in application preparation phase.
- Opportunity for networking across Cyprus.
- Access to the EU Incubator Hive.
- Series of workshops as part of two residential bootcamps;
- “One-to-one” mentoring sessions depending on the needs of the startups;
- “Market discovery” opportunity for professional development of each startup, and;
- A “Pitching battle” where startups will compete with their business ideas to impress an independent jury which is formed of business professionals.
The winners of the Pitching Battle get chance to attend the legendary startup event, SLUSH, in Helsinki, Finland.
Image taken from https://slush23.com/ address as a screenshot
Applications for Startups4Peace 2023 are now open! You can
- Download the guidelines for Su4P 2023 HERE
Up to 16 startups/entrepreneurs will be given chance to participate at the programme after a competitive evaluation process.
Up to two individuals can represent a startup at the bootcamps and mentoring sessions and the representative of the startup at the pitching battle must participate at the bootcamps and be actively involved in the programme.
The language of the programme will be in English.
Pictures from 2022-2023 Bootcamps and Pitching Battle
Essential Criteria
1. the owner/founder of the business OR,
2. an entrepreneur at pre-startup stage and must demonstrate they have a viable business idea and,
3. Participant(s) must be over 18 years of age and,
4. Participant(s) must have a good level of English language and,
5. The business / entrepreneur must be based in Cyprus and,
6. Applicant/participant(s) must hold necessary documentation to travel across Cyprus.
Exclusion Criteria
The following applications will be ineligible for evaluation:
1. Applications from previous Su4P programme winners (teams & individuals).
2. Applications with business ideas that are not legal and above board.
Important Note: Applicants/participants are expected to attend both Bootcamps. Those who do not attend Bootcamps will neither have chance to participate/present business idea at the Pitching Battle nor attend Slush. Also, note that the priority may be given to those that did not participate in the previous Su4P Programmes.
Evaluation Criteria
Cooperation Criteria (40%)
The business idea / business must aim cooperation across Cyprus and demonstrate the bicommunal nature of the project. The business follows the objectives of increasing co-operation between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot communities, joint business ideas and taking into consideration opportunities of operating in a cross-community environment.
Business Criteria (60%)
“The business idea / business must…”
1. Be innovative (Max. 10%)
2. Demonstrate a clear value proposition / clear benefit to the customer (Max. 10%)
3. Have identified a target market and significant market opportunity (Max. 10%)
4. Demonstrate growth potential (Max. 10%)
5. Have a strong support network and have potential to create employment(Max. 10%)
6. Ensure that the product/service is commercialised or is capable of commercialisation (Max. 10%)
Programme Outline & Timeline
Su4P 2023 Application Period | 1 June – 11 August 2023 |
Deadline for Applications | 11 August 2023 |
Request for Clarifications | 28 July 2023 |
| Bootcamp 1 | 8 – 9 September 2023 (Kyrenia) |
| Bootcamp 2 | 27 – 28 October 2023 (Agros, Limassol) |
| Mentoring & Market Discovery | 11 September – 28 October 2023 |
| Pitching Battle | 1 November 2023 |
SLUSH and Finnish Startup Ecosystem Discovery | Week of 27 November |
Programme Outline & Timeline
1 June – 11 August 2023
Su4P 2023 Application Period
11 August 2023
Deadline for Applications
28 July 2023
Request for Clarifications
8 - 9 September 2023 (Kyrenia)
Bootcamp 1
27 - 28 October 2023 (Agros, Limassol)
Bootcamp 2
11 September - 28 October 2023
Mentoring & Market Discovery
1 November 2023
Pitching Battle
Week of 27 November
SLUSH and Finnish Startup Ecosystem Discovery
1 November 2023
Preparation for SLUSH (winners only)
FAQ
Applicants are requested to submit the Application form which can be accessed online by clicking on this link or quickly scan the below QR code by 11 August 2023.
For further questions, applicants can contact info@inovatif.eu and/or +90 548 864 64 26 up until 28 July 2023. Please contact us if you do not receive the e-mail acknowledging the receipt within two working days.
Yes, you can apply as an individual entrepreneur for a startup or business idea.
Up to 2 representatives from each startup will join the bootcamps.
No, it is not compulsory to apply with a bi-communal startup/business idea. However, please note that 40% of the evaluation criteria is dedicated for “Cooperation” aspect of your application.
No. As per the essential criteria, the applicant must be;
- an owner/founder of the business; OR,
- an entrepreneur at pre-startup stage and must demonstrate they have a viable business idea.
Yes, Participant(s) must be over 18 years of age.
Yes. Applicants/participants are expected to attend both Bootcamps. Those who do not attend Bootcamps will neither have chance to participate/present business idea at the Pitching Battle nor attend Slush.
There is no rule on the number of applications that can be submitted. Each application will be evaluated individually.
- Two residential bootcamps – all expenses covered!
- One-to-one mentoring sessions– benefit from business development experts!
- “Digital Market Discovery” opportunity – to expand your startup (idea)!
- Experience a “Pitching Battle” – compete with your business idea presented to a jury of business professionals!
- Get a chance to attend the legendary startup event, SLUSH, in Helsinki, Finland– all expenses covered!
- Expand your network island-wide!
- Expert support in application preparation phase.
- Access to the EU Incubator Hive.
The programme will be open to all sectors. Please note that applications with business ideas that are not legal and above board will be ineligible for evaluation.
You cannot revise your submitted application. However, you can submit another application by providing full details through the online application form. Please inform us by e-mail (info@inovatif.eu) in case of a re-submission.
Get In Touch
Startups4Peace is co-funded by the Embassy of Finland and the European Union within the scope of the EU Innovative Entrepreneurship project, implemented by NI-CO.