Few understand early-stage growth and cross-border investment as thoroughly as Kenneth Helmer Larsen. As a Danish entrepreneur, investor, and founder of Keystones, a premier Nordic investor network, Larsen has spent years connecting ambitious founders with strategic private capital. Known for his pragmatic, founder-friendly approach, he specializes in translating complex investment structures into clear, actionable growth pathways for tech-enabled businesses. Following his participation in the Cyprus Seeds Showcase, Larsen spoke with FastForward to discuss how Cyprus can replicate the Nordic tech boom, the investment appeal of research-backed deep tech, and the strategies required for a small-island ecosystem to attract international angel capital.

Kenneth, you’ve seen the highly developed Nordic innovation ecosystems. What "ingredients" do you see currently being added to the Cyprus ecosystem that remind you of the early days of the Nordic tech boom?

What I see in Cyprus today is a similar early combination of strong technical talent, growing international mindset and a willingness to collaborate across borders. Add to that targeted programs like Cyprus Seeds, you have started to create the same momentum we saw in the Nordics: fewer but better startups, with global ambition from day one. The key ingredient now is consistency and continued exposure to international investors. 

From an angel investor’s point of view, what makes a Cyprus Seeds project an attractive "bet" compared to a typical seed-stage startup?

Cyprus Seeds projects often stand out because they are rooted in research and intellectual property, which can create stronger defensibility than a typical early-stage startup. Combined with structured mentoring and validation, it reduces some of the initial risk. From an investor perspective, you often get access to deeper tech at a very early stage. 

As the founder of Keystones, you understand the value of a community. How important is Cyprus Seeds’ role as a "community builder" for attracting foreign capital to the island?

It is critical. Young ecosystems need trusted platforms that connect founders, investors, and international networks. Cyprus Seeds plays exactly that role. It creates credibility, curates quality, and makes it easier for foreign capital to engage, which is essential for a small market. 

You often serve on boards. What role does a strong, internationally-connected board play in helping a small-island startup achieve a "Nordic-level" scale?

A strong, internationally connected board is often the fastest way for a startup to scale beyond its home market. It brings not just governance, but access, experience, and credibility. For small-island startups, this is often the bridge to reaching a Nordic-level scale. 

After participating in the Showcase, what is your assessment of the "investment culture" in Cyprus? Is the island ready to become a major hub for European angel investors?

Cyprus is clearly moving in the right direction. The quality of founders and projects is improving and initiatives like Cyprus Seeds are building the right foundation. To become a major hub, the next step is increasing deal flow and building a strong local network of angels. International angels want to invest with local angels who know the team and can do the due diligence locally. 

About Kenneth Halmer:

Kenneth Helmer Larsen’s insights serve as a timely blueprint for the evolving Cypriot startup landscape. Through his leadership at Keystones and his continuous contributions to investor forums and ecosystem initiatives across Europe, Larsen remains driven by a core philosophy of collaboration, transparency, and long-term value creation. By fostering high-quality deal flow and championing professional investor engagement, he continues to bridge the gap between capital and entrepreneurship. As Cyprus takes its next steps toward becoming a regional hub, Larsen's focus on structured mentorship, local co-investment, and robust deep-tech foundations underscores the precise ingredients needed to elevate local innovation to a truly global standard.