Baghdad:California Cyprus' Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, engaged in a series of high-level meetings with leaders from the business, technology, and research sectors during the Plug and Play Summit 2026, held in California from November 3 to 5.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Damianou met with Plug and Play Founder and CEO Saeed Amidi and Seena Amidi, Managing Partner for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation with Cyprus and creating more opportunities for Cypriot businesses to connect with international networks, investors, and markets.

Damianou also participated in the 'Cyprus and Innovation' roundtable event alongside the Director General of the Research and Innovation Foundation, Theodoros Loukaidis. Organized by Cyprus Catalyst, the event included scientists and professionals from the Cypriot diaspora in the US. Discussions centered on the development of Cyprus' research, innovation, and entrepreneurship ecosystem, emerging opportunities, and government policies aimed at strengthening it.

The role of the Cypriot diaspora in the US was highlighted, emphasizing their knowledge, experience, and international connections as valuable assets for Cyprus. These connections are seen as vital for collaboration with the American technology ecosystem and the growth of Cypriot start-ups.

Additionally, the Deputy Minister held meetings with delegations from South Korea, Egypt, and Taiwan to exchange views and best practices on developing innovation ecosystems and explore potential areas for future cooperation.

The Cypriot delegation also visited SRI, an organization with a long-standing international presence in research and technology development. Meetings with companies such as Snowflake and PayPal were also part of the program, focusing on innovative technological solutions and ways to strengthen and develop Cyprus' ecosystem.

The visit aimed to establish more systematic links between Cyprus and major international innovation hubs like Silicon Valley, thereby enabling Cypriot businesses and researchers to access international networks, investors, business partners, expertise, and markets more effectively.

Strengthening Cyprus' international presence and building robust connections with leading research, technology, and entrepreneurship ecosystems are seen as critical for the country's shift towards a competitive growth model, where research and innovation contribute to economic and social value, as concluded in the Deputy Ministry's statement.