CIU Startup Studio was launched
Cyprus International University (CIU) organized a wide-ranging series of events to celebrate the promotion of the Startup Studio. Visual performances by many successful entrepreneurs - angel investors - from different countries took part in the launch night of the Startup Studio, which was created to make the dreams of innovative and creative idea owners become true.
In his speech at the promotional event held at CIU Open Air Performing Arts Center, CIU Startup CEO Tamer Garip stated that they were the first university to launch its own startup studio in North Cyprus.
Garip stated that they will guide those who come forward with ideas and help make these ideas become available for investors. He also added that at the Startup Studio, those who come up with great ideas will be provided access to the international and national investors’ network, will be given the opportunity to meet with potential customers, will be provided marketing, financial and legal assistance, etc. and hence give all the support needed on these issues.
Pointing out that they can invest to turn entrepreneurial ideas into Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Garip said, "This investment can be between $ 1,000 and $ 100,000, and we will always ensure that you always remain the majority shareholder of your company’s shares."
Garip stated that Startup Studio is open to everyone who is a citizen, legal resident or student in North Cyprus, and pointed out that students studying at any other university can also apply.
The CEO Tamer Garip went on to say that CIU students who are accepted to the studio due to their innovative ideas will not only receive support to accomplish these ideas but that their education, accommodation and living expenses will also be covered by the Studio until they graduate. Garip said that academicians at different universities or businesspeople from companies in USA, Africa, EU, and elsewhere can also mentor or advise an initiative.
Speaking at the opening, Turkish Cypriot entrepreneur Ahmet Bilgen talked about his own entrepreneurial experiences and stated that he experienced company bankruptcy 3 times after his education, but he continued his journey despite these negativities. Noting that today he is the Chairman and angel-investor of Caretta Robotics in Cyprus and Trendbox in Istanbul, Bilgen said, “My companies have raised more than 45 million dollars in more than 15 investment rounds. I will support CIU Startup Studio initiatives as much as I can."
Diane Roberts, who attended the event from Ireland, stated that as the National Director of HBAN (Halo Business Angel Network), she helped establish angel investment syndicates across Ireland and that she supported hundreds of companies in raising capital and creating jobs by leading startup accelerator programs.
Roberts said that Ireland has been a shining example for startups worldwide in the last 25 years and said, "Ireland ranks 9th in Western Europe in the startup field."
AI expert Shahab Anbarjafari, who attended the event online from Estonia, stated that he has a leadership role in directing companies working on artificial intelligence and gene artificial intelligence, and works with many companies based in Finland, Scandinavia, and Japan.