Nicosia: The submission process for the PRE-SEED/0526 Call under the Research and Innovation Foundation's 'Creation and Initial Development of Startups with International Orientation (PRE-SEED)' Programme was successfully completed today, Friday, 11 September 2026. A total of 284 proposals were successfully submitted through RIF's Portal, IRIS, marking a record level of participation for the Programme. According to Cyprus News Agency, the high level of participation signifies the growing momentum in Cyprus' startup sector, with more teams and businesses eager to transform innovative ideas into products and services with international growth potential. This surge in interest underscores the dynamism of Cyprus' startup ecosystem and the importance of strengthening opportunities for new and innovative businesses. The Programme aims to support the creation and initial development of startups that are developing innovative products and services with the potential to compete in international markets. The proposal selection process will now follow, including a preliminary eligibility check and scientific evaluation, as per the RESTART Programmes' Call for Proposals. RIF remains committed to fostering a competitive innovation ecosystem by creating opportunities for new business ideas and aiding the transformation of innovation into products, services, and businesses with international growth potential.