Status:Closed
Duration:2023
Donors:United Nations Development Programme
Coverage:Island-wide
Beneficiaries:Turkish Cypriot community and Greek Cypriot community
Focus Area:Governance and Peacebuilding
Partners:SocialTech Lab
See more information about the project on the transparency portal.

 

Project summary:

The Youth Innovation Factory (YIF) was a UNDP-funded multi-month venture builder, implemented by SocialTech Lab. YIF's mission was to accelerate the development and launch of tech-based innovations realised by young people in Cyprus (18-35 years), on the themes of environment and social cohesion.

Going beyond traditional incubators and accelerators, YIF adopted a more practical approach, connecting the participants with key voices from local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and private sector to grasp the gaps, needs and challenges faced by local communities in Cyprus. By sourcing challenges from those working on the ground, YIF empowered youth to build innovative, tech-based solutions towards real-life needs. 

The programme offered a variety of tailored workshops to support the participants with ideation, skill building and design. With the main ethos ‘youth can transform mere ideas into impactful and innovative realities with the right environment, resources and support,’ YIF embedded expert and industry engagement at the heart of its programme. 

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Workshops

A total of 16 trainers, across various industries and sectors from both Cyprus and abroad were brought into YIF to deliver targeted skill-building sessions on impact start-up fundamentals ranging across 15 focus areas. All trainers delivered interactive, hands-on workshops with great results. These workshops were:

Design Thinking Workshop by Natasa Christou

This workshop applied all that the cohort heard during the deep listening and sense making sessions to start ideating on new innovations that can tackle the challenges
brought to light. Design thinking methodologies as well as beneficiary personas were introduced to help the teams begin to “solution” around key social and environmental
challenges.

Prototyping & Product Roadmaps by Alexis Piperides

This training session was meticulously designed to guide participants through the critical stages of prototyping and developing effective product roadmaps.
The primary aim was to equip attendees with the necessary tools and knowledge to prepare for their Minimum Viable Product (MVP) plans as part of the cohort program.

Idea Validation by Hess Adnani

This comprehensive training session was targeted at providing participants with practical skills in conducting both primary and secondary market research. The focus was on effective online research strategies, survey preparation techniques, crafting open-ended questions, evaluating responses, and leveraging AI tools to enhance research efficiency.

Marketing Strategy & Opportunity Assessment by Antonia Christou

In this comprehensive workshop, participants delved into the critical aspects of market analysis and strategy essential for any business. The workshop was structured to provide a deep understanding of how to define a target market, assess market size and trends, segment markets effectively, understand buyer demographics and behaviour, and identify competitive edges.

Microsoft Azure AI Tools: An Intro to Industry AI Workshop by Michael Glaros

This workshop was designed to provide insights into how various industry customers of Microsoft are utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) across different sectors. The primary focus was to explore the potential applications of AI in the attendees' respective fields and work environments. Michael joined us from Microsoft US from the Seattle office.

Business Model Canvas by Gizem Mentes Muhtaroğlu

This workshop taught teams what the Business Model Canvas (BMC) is and how to use it for/apply it to their ideas. Teams had time to create their own BMCs and get 1:1 feedback on their canvas. They had to combine all the knowledge acquired at previous sessions and use it for creating their BMC.

Strategy & Project Management by Eleni Pashia

This training session aimed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to define effective strategies and manage project cycles efficiently. The focus was on enabling attendees to develop a logical flow for their projects, along with clearly defined actions, goals, and objectives, or to gain a deeper understanding of how to achieve them.

Branding & Story telling by Martin Zarian

This interactive training session provided a unique opportunity for participants to learn the art of branding and the power of storytelling from an internationally acclaimed expert in the field. The workshop was designed to offer in-depth knowledge and practical skills in creating compelling brand narratives.

Introduction to Microsoft Founders Hub & Project Book Working Session by Stavrinos Kyriakou

This event was designed to offer participants a dual opportunity: firstly, to gain insights into Microsoft’s Founders Hub, a platform offering resources and support for start-ups, and secondly, to work on and refine their Project Books with the help of peers and experts.

Budgeting & Finance by Christina Charalmbous

This training session was designed to equip the teams with essential knowledge in budgeting and finance. It aimed to provide a clear understanding of start-up costs, both fixed and variable, and to enable participants to effectively manage their financial projections and break-even calculations. Christina used a mix of lecture, case studies, exercises, and interactive learning!

Fundraising by George Tziazas & Minas Kyriakou

Teams had the opportunity to hear directly from successful entrepreneurs who raised funding from a variety of sources for their idea. They learned about available funding sources, how to approach investors, which channels are right for them, and more!

Impact Measurement by Nicholas Coutts

Nick walked our cohort teams through impact measurement and assessment, as well as helped them begin developing value maps for their ventures aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Pitching Workshop by George Vou

George shared his extensive knowledge on the art of pitching and pitch deck prep, helping the YIF cohort teams get out of their comfort zones to practice captivating an audience. Teams practices pitching techniques and begin to prepare their own idea pitch.

Results: 

The programme was followed by 19 teams, each tackling a different issue under the themes of environment and social cohesion. Below you can find a table with the teams and the focus of their work:

Team Name

 Interests 

Focus Area

CtronInnovative technologies to improve transportationSocial
Precious Plastic CyprusDeep tech solutions to process plastic and remove micro plastic from oceansEnvironmental
USHer Using apps to crowdsource shared heritage Social
Handmade in Cyprus Ecommerce for local crafts makersSocial
SwappFinancial decision making and exchange between communitiesSocial
EcoBiteSmart micro-green production plantEnvironmental
Efevretis Tech-based solutions to enhance waste management & recycling through intelligent sortingEnvironmental
IQ3SOLARIntelligent platforms for PV system operatorsEnvironmental
Lilith's Child Games StudioAll female run video game studio developing educational games for kids Environmental
NoTabooXR (VR, AR, MR) and metaverse as tools to teach RSHE content in schoolsSocial
Hush HushIntegration of refugees and migrants via ed-tech Social
MammoCheck AI for medical diagnosisSocial
NEEMALeveraging advanced materials science and engineering to produce high-quality vegan leather Environmental
FIDEBio-integrated 3D printed materials to help with the accessibility of clean filtered waterEnvironmental
Yasemin Collective Storytelling platform/mobile app to bridge the generational and cultural gap created after divisionSocial
Pit-to-tableSoftware for composite material created from wasteEnvironmental
Project INSPIREVR for social cohesion and community engagementSocial
Borderless Education Peace-tech platform for community engagementSocial
DhumanVirtual avatars addressing a range of challenges related to environmental sustainabilityEnvironmental


These teams cross pollinated to support each other in validating their proposal ideas. The collaborative nature of the programme created an organic network of entrepreneurs between the two communities of Cyprus. Moreover, it allowed for the teams to understand the different contexts and similarities their solutions function under and how interconnected their solutions are in the larger scheme of things. Working under a sharing environment eliminates the risk of silos, helping to stress test the idea from different external perspectives. 

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The two selected ideas for an award of 25K each went to:

Pit-To-Table

PIT_TO_TABLE is focused on producing sustainable table tops made from olive pits, a by-product of olive oil production in Cyprus. They look to promote clean production through the use of organic waste, emphasising a connection with nature in a unique way. The target market is the interior design industry in London, catering to
environmentally conscious customers who appreciate organic living and high-quality produce.

Problem statement:
The construction industry contributes to the world’s carbon emissions by 40%. This puts architects and designers in a position of great power. By embracing circular economy principles, they can lead the way in finding new, sustainable ways for the industry. PIT_TO_TABLE aims to provide a sustainable alternative to widespread plastic worktops, using discarded olive pits. In parallel they solve another problem faced by olive oil producers in Cyprus; shifting the olive waste produced daily during harvest season. Accumulated waste slows production in many factories. Utilising this organic waste as their core material, their product will help local farmers shift this waste quickly.

NEEMA

NEEMA (Nature Enhanced Engineering Materials) aspires to revolutionize the way we utilize natural waste and materials. NEEMA aims to engineer innovative solutions that drive sustainability, promote circular economies, and create a positive impact on our planet. NEEMA introduces VELO, a novel, high-quality, environmentally friendly vegan leather crafted from Opuntia (prickly pear cactus) cladode trimmings; a plant that is found in abundance across Cyprus.

Problem statement: The leather industry is undergoing a paradigm shift due to growing environmental and ethical concerns. Traditional methods, like Chromium tanning, face criticism for hazardous chemicals and ecological harm. Cattle farming that supports leather production contributes to deforestation, methane emissions, and raises animal welfare issues. While vegan leather is an ethical option, many of the existing products are derived from synthetic polymers, posing environmental challenges due to their non-biodegradable nature. Existing alternatives often sacrifice quality, durability, and aesthetics. There's a market need for a sustainable, high-quality leather alternative without environmental and ethical drawbacks.

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Since receiving their awards, these two teams have steadily been progressing on piloting their proposal into reality. Currently the two have signed an MU between themselves, working together. 

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