Nicosia, Cyprus. TechIsland chairman Valentinos Polykarpou said Cyprus’ transformation into a technology hub is no longer an aspiration but “a fact,” while calling for broader investment in people to avoid leaving parts of society behind in the AI era.
Cyprus’ tech progress and the next challenge
In his opening address, Polykarpou linked Cyprus’ progress as a tech destination with what he described as the next challenge: making science, technology, engineering and mathematics accessible beyond the traditional boundaries of the sector.
“A decade ago, if you told someone that Cyprus would become a global technology hub, a place where international companies come to build, where top talent chooses to relocate, where the ICT sector would drive national growth, many would have smiled politely,” he said.
He added that “the vision of a tech island is no longer a vision. It is a fact,” calling it a major achievement for TechIsland.
TechIsland’s growth since its founding
Polykarpou said the association was founded in 2021 by private sector representatives aiming to help turn Cyprus into a tech island.
He said TechIsland has grown into an organisation of more than 400 companies, with 52 per cent local Cypriot firms and 48 per cent international businesses, ranging from startups and SMEs to multinational corporations.
Award recognition
Polykarpou referred to the IN Business Editors’ Choice Award, which he received on behalf of the association at the IN Business Awards 2026, for TechIsland’s contribution to Cyprus’ tech ecosystem.
Role beyond a business association
“We are not just a business association. We are a think tank. A connector. A platform for society, not just for industry,” he said.
Polykarpou said this shift means initiatives that bring together policy, industry, education, research and the next generation are part of the same discussion about Cyprus’ future, and are no longer optional.
STEM for All initiative
Polykarpou said the idea of STEM for All emerged from this need.
Addressing the audience, he said not everyone present was an engineer, coder or data scientist, noting the presence of educators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, parents and young people still deciding what they wanted to become.
What do you think is needed to make STEM accessible beyond the traditional boundaries of the sector in Cyprus?