Limassol, Cyprus. Rana K. Gupta, Executive Director of the MIT Deshpande Centre, said Cyprus must focus on commercialising research into market-ready products ahead of his participation in the Cyprus Seeds Innovation Showcase.
Event details and focus
The Cyprus Seeds Innovation Showcase is scheduled for May 22, 2026 at the Kolla Factory in Limassol as part of the 2026 DOERS Summit. The event will bring together researchers, entrepreneurs and international mentors to explore how innovation ecosystems can accelerate growth.
Role of networks and diaspora connections
Gupta is expected to take part in a discussion on how international networks and diaspora connections can help small and fast-evolving innovation hubs such as Cyprus scale more effectively.
Commercialisation as the central challenge
Gupta said that while Cyprus has made clear progress in research and technology, the central challenge remains converting scientific output into tangible economic and social value. “Cyprus has no shortage of talent, ideas, or scientific research,” he said.
He said the country’s growing presence in international rankings reflects its strengthening research base, but added that invention alone is not enough to drive impact. “Cyprus needs more than research, it needs commercialisation,” he said.
Cyprus Seeds’ role in bridging the gap
Gupta said the gap between discovery and real-world application remains a persistent challenge in Cyprus and across many advanced research economies. He described Cyprus Seeds as a critical mechanism in addressing the issue and a key player in the country’s technology ecosystem.
“That gap between invention and impact is where Cyprus Seeds has emerged as one of the most important organisations,” Gupta said.
What steps do you think would help Cyprus turn more research into market-ready products?
