DEMO Day 2025: A Groundbreaking Startup and Investor Event at AUB Mediterraneo, Paphos
Paphos, Cyprus – April 3, 2025 – The American University of Beirut Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) hosted DEMO Day 2025, a premier startup and investor gathering in Cyprus, bringing together top startups, investors, and industry leaders to shape the future of entrepreneurship. The event offered a platform for startups to showcase their ideas and for investors to discover high-potential ventures.
Organized by Octopus Capital and Crowdbase, with AUB Mediterraneo Innovation Center and AUB iPark as key partners, DEMO Day 2025 featured startup pitches, keynote talks, panel discussions, networking sessions, and an exhibition area. An awards ceremony also honored outstanding innovations, providing attendees the opportunity to connect with investors, mentors, and industry leaders.
Yiannis Ioannou, Managing Director of Octopus Capital, said: “This event marks a new era for the startup scene in Cyprus, offering unprecedented access to investment and collaboration opportunities.”
Dr. Wassim el Hajj, Rector of AUB Mediterraneo, added: “At AUB Mediterraneo, we are proud to host DEMO Day 2025, an event that underscores our commitment to driving innovation and supporting the region’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. This collaboration is a perfect example of how academia and industry can come together to shape the future of entrepreneurship.”
Dr. Yousif Asfour, AUB Chief Innovation and Transformation Officer noted: “Innovation flourishes where bold ideas meet the right opportunities. DEMO Day 2025 is more than a showcase—it’s a launchpad for transforming visionary concepts into real-world impact. At AUB, we are committed to building an ecosystem where entrepreneurs and investors connect, collaborate, and shape the future together.”
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About Octopus Capital:
Octopus Capital is an angel syndicate connecting a global network of entrepreneurs, developers, investors, and strategists. We go beyond funding, offering personalized strategic support to early- stage ventures. Partnering closely with founders, we navigate growth challenges and remain involved through Series A, leveraging strong VC connections to secure future funding. We are a trusted partner in every startup's journey to success.
https://www.octopusyndicate.com
About Crowdbase:
Crowdbase is a European equity crowdfunding platform based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Our platform has successfully democratised the investment process, enabling both retail and sophisticated investors to access equity investments in vetted startups and real estate projects from as low as €100.
https://crowdbase.eu
About Talal and Madiha Zein AUB-Innovation Park:
The Talal and Madiha Zein AUB Innovation Park (Zein AUB iPark) is the American University of Beirut’s flagship platform for innovation and entrepreneurship, empowering resilient and relentless founders to transform bold ideas into globally scalable ventures. Through hands-on programs, expert mentorship, and access to AUB’s global network and research excellence, iPark equips startups with the skills, mindset, and connections needed to grow, compete, and thrive on the world stage.
About the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo
The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) in Pafos, Cyprus, is approved by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as a branch campus of the American University of Beirut (AUB) in Beirut, Lebanon. AUB operates under a charter granted by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) which registers the university’s degree programs. All departments and programs at AUB Mediterraneo are accredited in Europe and Cyprus through the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education (CYQAA) and recognized globally. For more information, please visit http://www.aubmed.ac.cy/
