Cyprus faces several pressing challenges in the agrifood sector. Traditional farming practices and small-scale production often limit productivity, while digital adoption in agriculture remains low. The island relies heavily on imports for certain food products, creating vulnerability in the supply chain. Sustainability is another key concern: inefficient resource use, water scarcity, and food waste affect both environmental and economic outcomes. At the same time, youth engagement in agrifood innovation is limited, and opportunities for young entrepreneurs to access mentorship, funding, and networks remain scarce.
To address these challenges, CyprusInno (powered by SocialTech Lab) partnered with EIT Food to host the From Ground to Scale (G2S) Networking Event & Bootcamp, a two-day immersive program held on 7–8 November 2025 at the Gardens of the Future in Nicosia. The event brought together over 60 early-stage agrifood entrepreneurs, innovators, and ecosystem stakeholders to collaboratively develop real-world solutions and scale their ventures.
Event Highlights
To equip participants with the tools to develop innovative agrifood solutions, G2S offered hands-on labs and expert-led sessions covering topics such as sustainability, digital transition, circular business models, value proposition, and scaling strategies. These activities provided participants with practical skills while receiving mentorship from industry experts.
In addition to interactive labs, the program featured presentations and panel discussions, offering deeper insights into Cyprus’ agrifood ecosystem and opportunities to scale innovations. Experts from EIT Food, local research institutions, and startups shared knowledge on topics ranging from ethical sourcing and circular economy principles to digital traceability tools and growth strategies.
The sessions were designed to inspire participants to think beyond conventional approaches: embedding sustainability and ethics in every decision, harnessing digital technologies to optimize operations, and planning for both local and international market impact.
“The G2S Bootcamp highlighted the power of youth-driven innovation and collaboration, equipping young agrifood entrepreneurs with the skills, network, and mindset to drive real change in the sector,” said the SocialTech Lab Team.
A Collaborative Path Forward
During the bootcamp, participants tackled real-world challenges in the agrifood sector, including:
- Designing circular and sustainable production systems
- Improving digital adoption for small-scale farms
- Reducing food waste through data-driven solutions
- Exploring innovative pathways to scale from local to international markets
Participants developed solutions such as digital traceability platforms, community-supported agriculture initiatives, and scalable sustainable food products. The labs encouraged peer collaboration and hands-on application of tools like the Social Business Model Canvas and sustainability SWOT analysis.
Expert panels emphasized the importance of ecosystem-wide collaboration, highlighting that scaling agrifood innovation in Cyprus requires partnerships between startups, research institutions, investors, and policy-makers. Discussions also underscored the need for youth engagement, mentorship, and access to resources to transform innovative ideas into tangible solutions.
What Participants Walked Away With
- A stronger understanding of opportunities within Cyprus’ agrifood ecosystem and EIT Food initiatives
- Practical tools to integrate sustainability, digitalization, and circular economy principles into their ventures
- Inspiration from real-world success stories and actionable insights for scaling innovations
- Recognition of the importance of collaboration and networks to bring ideas to market
- Confidence to implement digital solutions, ethical practices, and growth strategies in their startups
Looking Ahead
From Ground to Scale was not just an event—it was the start of a thriving community of agrifood innovators in Cyprus. With skills, networks, and mentorship gained from the bootcamp, participants are now empowered to drive sustainable impact, scale their ventures, and contribute to a resilient and future-ready agrifood sector.
The From Ground to Scale Bootcamp is supported by EIT Food, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
