{"id":15341,"date":"2026-07-14T15:02:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T12:02:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jacyprus.org\/?p=15341"},"modified":"2026-07-14T15:02:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T12:02:36","slug":"cyprus-at-the-top-of-europe-double-triumph-at-gen-e-2026-1st-place-for-livia-3rd-place-for-hershield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jacyprus.org\/en\/cyprus-at-the-top-of-europe-double-triumph-at-gen-e-2026-1st-place-for-livia-3rd-place-for-hershield\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyprus at the top of Europe: Double triumph at GEN-E 2026 1st place for LIVIA, 3rd place for HerShield"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0Cyprus was the only country to secure two podium positions <\/strong><\/p>\n

in the main European award categories<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the most significant achievements in the history of youth entrepreneurship in Cyprus was recorded on the evening of 9 July 2026 in Riga, Latvia.<\/p>\n

Cyprus reached the top of Europe at GEN-E 2026, Europe\u2019s largest youth entrepreneurship festival, with both teams representing the country earning places on the European podium.<\/p>\n

The university team LIVIA<\/strong> secured 1st place in the \u201cJA Europe Innovation of the Year 2026 \u2013 University Level\u201d category<\/strong>, earning recognition as Europe\u2019s leading university innovation. The team also received the prestigious FedEx Access Award<\/strong>, concluding its participation in Riga with two major European distinctions.<\/p>\n

On the same evening, the student company HerShield<\/strong> secured 3rd place in the \u201cJA Europe Company of the Year 2026 \u2013 Business Track\u201d category<\/strong>, ranking among the best student companies in Europe.<\/p>\n

This achievement is even more significant as Cyprus was the only country among more than 40 participating nations to secure two podium positions in the main competition categories<\/strong>: one at university level and one at secondary-school level. With a total of three awards, the Cypriot delegation delivered a historic performance, placing Cyprus at the forefront of European youth innovation and entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n

LIVIA<\/strong> developed a smart agricultural technology platform that uses satellite data, autonomous drones and artificial intelligence to support farmers and optimise agricultural production. Through data analysis, the platform provides farmers with valuable insights into irrigation, crop conditions, the management of available resources and the adoption of more effective and sustainable decisions. The team consists of Christos Charalambous, Ariadni Pasiouli and Theofanis Orfanou<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The student company HerShield<\/strong> created a discreet and elegant lip-gloss-style case containing test strips designed to detect harmful substances in beverages, with the aim of enhancing women\u2019s safety. By combining social awareness, functionality, contemporary design and comprehensive business planning, the team distinguished itself among Europe\u2019s leading student companies and secured 3rd place in the \u201cJA Europe Company of the Year 2026\u201d<\/strong> competition.<\/p>\n

The team from St. Mary\u2019s School in Limassol<\/strong> consists of Paschalis Alatzoglou, Andrea Marselina Pelendriti, Ioanna Christina Petrou, Emmeleia Marina Mitrofanous, Despina Michael, Zoe Michael, Erika Vasili, Mikaella Tranta and Iro Christou<\/strong>, under the guidance of their teachers, Maria Kythreotou and Maria Papa<\/strong>, and their mentor, Annita Petrou<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

GEN-E 2026, organised by JA Europe and JA Latvia from 7 to 9 July<\/strong>, brought together more than 1,000 young entrepreneurs, educators, business executives, policymakers and partners from over 40 countries in Riga. The teams competing in Riga were selected through national competitions and emerged from a European community of more than 400,000 secondary-school and university students who participated in Junior Achievement entrepreneurship programmes during the 2025\u20132026 academic year.<\/p>\n

The success of LIVIA and HerShield represents the culmination of a months-long educational and entrepreneurial journey through the JA StartUp Programme<\/strong> and the JA Company Programme <\/strong>of Junior Achievement Cyprus. Through these programmes, secondary-school and university students are given the opportunity to transform an idea into a complete business proposal, work alongside educators, academics and mentors, and develop essential skills in critical thinking, creativity, leadership, teamwork, communication and problem-solving.<\/p>\n

This major achievement is the result of the collective efforts of a flourishing innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The Government, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, the Chief Scientist, the Research and Innovation Foundation, the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, the Youth Board of Cyprus, educational institutions and the business community all play a decisive role in supporting this ecosystem. This distinction belongs to everyone who consistently invests in the younger generation and creates the conditions that enable young people to innovate and achieve international recognition.<\/p>\n

Junior Achievement Cyprus extends its warmest gratitude to the partners of the JA Company Programme <\/strong>and the JA StartUp Programme<\/strong>, whose tangible investment in the younger generation contributes to the creation of educational opportunities with real and lasting impact:<\/p>\n

PwC Cyprus, the Youth Board of Cyprus, MetLife Cyprus, Coffee Island, the Research and Innovation Foundation, the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus, Amdocs Cyprus, the Karaiskakio Foundation, the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO, Lidl Cyprus, ExxonMobil in Cyprus, the British High Commission, EIT Health and the Association of Cyprus Banks<\/strong>, as well as the Institutional Partner, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Warmest thanks are also extended to all the partners and supporters of Junior Achievement Cyprus, the members of its Board of Directors, educators, academics, mentors, volunteers, schools and universities, as well as the families of the participants, who continuously support the efforts and aspirations of Cyprus\u2019s young people.<\/p>\n

About Junior Achievement Cyprus<\/strong><\/p>\n

Junior Achievement Cyprus is a member of Junior Achievement Worldwide, the world\u2019s largest non-profit organisation dedicated to preparing young people for the future through experiential educational programmes in entrepreneurship, financial health and work readiness.<\/p>\n

For further information, please visit www.jacyprus.org<\/strong><\/a> or contact us at info@jacyprus.org<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n