Final Event of the BalkanMed Gazelle Project Celebrates Start-up Successes and Innovation

On June 1st, 2023, the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) hosted the final event of the BalkanMed Gazelle project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at accelerating the expansion of the start-up ecosystem in the Balkan-Mediterranean region. Held in a hybrid format, the event featured both in-person and online participants and provided an opportunity to showcase the project’s achievements, results, and success stories.

The BalkanMed Gazelle project, which has significantly contributed to the development of the regional start-up ecosystem, brought together innovative SMEs, investors, and experts across the Balkan-Med region.

ARIS’s Role in the Gazelle Project During the event, Anthi Chatzikyriakou, Assistant Manager at Deloitte’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, presented ARIS’s involvement as an external expert in the Gazelle project. She highlighted ARIS’s crucial activities, including:

• Inviting and evaluating innovative SMEs for participation in the project.
• Implementing an acceleration program to help start-ups grow and expand.
• Facilitating technology transfer between businesses and innovators.
• Organizing an international investment forum and a major conference.
• Operating a local support center for innovative SMEs in the Balkan-Med region.

Startuptoolkit Presentation Another highlight was the introduction of the Startuptoolkit, a platform designed specifically to support entrepreneurs and start-ups worldwide. This tool was presented by Hristo Andreev from CUT and offers resources, guidance, and support to entrepreneurs across various sectors, making it a vital asset for the start-up community.

Start-up Success Stories The event also provided insights into successful start-ups nurtured by the project:

• IREROBOT, a resident start-up at ARIS represented by Kyriacos Clerides, showcased its innovative solutions developed under the program.
• Nextbike, represented by Neofytos Ioannou, shared its journey and growth as a company supported by the Gazelle project.

The BalkanMed Gazelle Final Event not only marked the end of this initiative but also laid the groundwork for future entrepreneurial successes, demonstrating the power of collaboration and innovation in the region.

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