CSR Cyprus “Good Practices for Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability” Awards

IDEA has been awarded at the CSR Cyprus “Good Practices for Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability” Awards – CSR & Sustainability National Business Network. The criterion of IDEA success was that it creates new businesses, new jobs, capitalizes the minds of young people, promotes youth entrepreneurship & extroversion, through its valuable PARTNERS in Cyprus and abroad.

European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2019

IDEA Innovation Centre was the European Winner in the 2019 European Commission’s ‘Enterprise Promotion Awards’. Having competed against 260 candidates from 29 countries, IDEA made it to the finals in ‘Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills’, where it surpassed the two other finalists. This was an extremely significant international distinction, capping IDEA’s long list of accolades both in Cyprus and overseas, underscoring its leading role in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the country, while placing Cyprus firmly on the innovation map.

Represented Cyprus in New Delhi, 2019

IDEA  was invited by the European Commission and the Government of India to represent Cyprus in the ‘Europe-India Innovation Partnership’ organized in New Delhi with the participation of 15 different countries.

The initiative supported networking activities between startup incubators and accelerators from India and the EU and creating partnerships, but also involved VCs, angel investors, corporates, bilateral support agencies and government organisations that support innovation.

Invited by the US Department of State for 3 weeks in USA, 2019

IDEA was honoured to be invited by the US Department of  State and the US Embassy in Cyprus to participate in the ‘Entrepreneurship as the Engine of Prosperity & Stability: Small Business Development’ program. The three-week long program was held in 5 US states, providing the opportunity to interact and create links with the US entrepreneurial ecosystem and understand the local culture.

The program run under the ‘International Visitor Leadership Program’ initiative of the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, aiming to promote small business development, innovation, and entrepreneurial acumen as paths to socio-economic wellbeing and political stability.

Invited to present Nicosia as a ‘Startup City’ in Frankfurt, 2019

IDEA’s role in promoting entrepreneurship in Cyprus was acknowledged in its invitation as a speaker to the American conference SXSW – European edition ‘Me-Convention’ in Frankfurt, to present Nicosia as a ‘Startup City’. IDEA was accompanied at the conference by Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency, while our presentation of Nicosia was fully supported by the Mayor of the city.

The 2019 Frankfurt edition of the convention hosted over 140 speakers and 2,200 participants from across the globe for 58 talks and 52 interactive/mentor sessions and examined the current state of the world, created a vision for a better future and uncovered how to bridge the gap.

European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2018

In 2018 IDEA received the National Award at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards for ‘Promoting the Entrepreneurial Spirit’. EEPA identifies outstanding projects from across Europe that are working to support entrepreneurs and small businesses. IDEA’s contribution in changing the nation’s mindset and culture towards innovation and entrepreneurship, by educating teenagers and students and strongly fostering female entrepreneurship was well recognised with this distinction.

Gold Responsible Business Awards

At a national level, IDEA has won the Gold Award for ‘Excellence in Cooperation – Private-Public Partnership’ by the ‘Cyprus Responsible Business Awards 2019’. This directly relates to IDEA achieving the direct cooperation between public and private sector, such as with the Chief Scientist and various Ministries and institutions that promote innovation, by implementing common activities to achieve favourable legislative changes for the benefit of the local innovation ecosystem.

Silver Responsible Business Awards

IDEA has been presented with the Silver Award for ‘Cause Advocacy’ by the ‘Cyprus Responsible Business Awards 2019’, highlighting  its  role in encouraging and inspiring youth towards innovation and entrepreneurship. IDEA is leading the effort in creating a generation of young entrepreneurs and ultimately reinforcing the stimulation of economic growth and social inclusion, by developing initiates that support entrepreneurial educational practices amongst youth and building up their confidence in their own skills.

Leader and organiser of National Delegations

IDEA has led and organized 3 National Delegations to DLD Festival in Israel with the participation of universities, the government sector and young entrepreneurs. It has also co-organized  and co-funded two National Delegations at the ‘Websummit’– Lisbon, along with the Research and Innovation Foundation and Invest Cyprus.

Participation in entrepreneurial events

IDEA, as the leading innovation center in Cyprus, is frequently invited as a speaker, panelist or judge in conferences and entrepreneurial competitions, both in Cyprus and abroad.