Cyprus: DCO masterclass for startups on the EU market — Cyprus Mail
On September 30, the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) and 28DIGITAL will hold a virtual masterclass in Cyprus for startups from the organisation’s member states on entering and scaling in the European market. The online session will take place on Zoom from 16:00 to 17:00 Cyprus time, Cyprus Mail reports.
Entering the European market
Participants will learn about European market opportunities, pathways to enter it, business ecosystems and the experience of companies that have already expanded their operations in Europe. In particular, the discussion will cover selecting suitable markets, partnerships, pilot projects with clients, soft-landing programmes and establishing a local presence.
Organisers also plan to examine what companies should check before international expansion, as well as how local partners, investors, business networks and support programmes can accelerate entry into new markets. Practical experience from a company that has already gone through the expansion process in Europe will be presented separately.
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Cyprus as a bridge to the EU
Cyprus is a DCO member along with, among others, Bahrain, Greece, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The island seeks to strengthen its role as a bridge between businesses from the Gulf countries and other regions and the broader EU market, drawing on its EU membership and long-standing commercial ties with the region.
Stavros Stavrou, president of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, previously stated that the country can become a hub for companies from the Gulf Cooperation Council seeking to expand their operations in Europe. According to him, promising sectors include not only construction and trade, but also technology, financial services, shipping and other industries.
DCO Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya also described Cyprus in February 2026 as a business and investment gateway to the EU and Europe as a whole for the Gulf countries and other states in the region. According to her, around 60–62 startups have already benefited from this positioning through DCO initiatives as part of cross-border activities.
