Made In Cyprus | Big biz stories from a tiny island

Everyone talks about networking. Lilly Pavlou thinks half the industry might not survive without the word. In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Lilly Pavlou, Executive Director at QUBE Events, to unpack what it actually takes to run global events from a small island - beyond the conference stages and the sponsor decks. From last-minute cancellations and entire delegations failing to...

Cyprus wants to be an innovation hub. But are we building the foundation first? In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Andreas Panayi, Co-Founder & CEO of Kinisis Ventures, to unpack the real state of the Cyprus startup ecosystem - beyond the LinkedIn theatre and the headlines. From fragmentation and isolated players to the gap between investors, founders and universities, Andreas...

Souvlaki in Cyprus isn’t just food. It’s identity. In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with the Chimonides brothers, founders of O Tatas, to unpack how they’re taking one of Cyprus’ most emotional foods and turning it into a scalable, modern business. From building Salt & Fire to launching multiple concepts across different segments, they share what it really takes to operate in one...

In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Michael Economou, Founder of Exyde and co-founder of Foody, one of Cyprus’ most successful startup stories. From building At Your Service to scaling Foody and navigating a major exit, Michael shares what it really means to be a founder beyond the headlines. We talk about his journey from Foody to Exyde - a marketplace for authentic experiences, a...

Cyprus isn’t just eating more delivery, it’s outsourcing cooking. In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Yiannis Hadjiconstantouras, a marketer-turned-serial food entrepreneur behind Marinato, Flipstreet, and Makai, to unpack what it really takes to win in the food business. An industry where margins are tight, competition is brutal, and “good food” is only the entry ticket. We talk a...

It’s not on tv, it’s not on the radio, and it’s rarely on podcasts, but in reality, it’s everywhere. In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Despo Pavlou for a conversation Cyprus still treats like a taboo: LGBTQ+ visibility, rights, and what it actually feels like to grow up believing you’re alone. Despo shares her journey from the Cyprus Diaspora in South Africa, to suppressing her i...

Short-term rentals host new guests every day, but very few people understand the chaos behind getting each property ready, on time, every time. In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we speak with Nicolas Chrysostomou, founder of Piney, a company scaling across Europe by turning short-term rental operations into a tech-driven logistics engine. Nicolas shares the lessons from launching Bolt in Cyprus,...

Cyprus’ startup ecosystem didn’t appear overnight, it was built slowly, event by event, founder by founder, and story by story. Few people have witnessed that journey as closely as Panis Pieri, one of the most familiar faces in the island’s innovation scene. In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we talk about how the ecosystem began, the impact of expat founders, the challenges early-stage startups f...

In this new episode of Made In Cyprus, our guest flips the script on what a Cyprus-based company can do globally. Mike Charalambous, co-founder and CEO of Threedium, to explore how a company born in Limassol is now powering 3D commerce for brands like LVMH, BMW, and L’Oréal. Mike shares the story behind Threedium’s breakthrough technology, how it’s redefining online shopping through interactive 3D...

Work is changing faster than ever, with new generations, expectations and technology reshaping how and where we work. But what does the future of work really look like, and how can companies avoid falling into the “happiness trap” of flexibility without structure? In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Alex Norovyatkin, Head of PR and Brand at Mellow, to explore how organisations can...

In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Sergey Osipov - entrepreneur, designer, and co-founder of global ventures including Wargaming and Placy AI. Sergey shares his journey from Belarus to Cyprus, and how living on the island pushes entrepreneurs to think globally from day one. We dive into the intersection of branding, technology, and artificial intelligence, exploring how AI is resh...

In this episode of Made in Cyprus, Martin sits down with Stavriana Nathanail, marketing strategist, CMO, and host of Clicks & Cocktails, to talk about the evolution of Cyprus’ marketing scene. They dive into the power of localisation, why community matters more than competition, and how brands on the island can embrace collaboration to grow. Stavriana also shares her journey from startup dream...

Relationships, emotional health, and authenticity — these are topics that impact us all but often stay buried beneath surface-level conversations. In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Stephanos Ioannou, psychologist and founder of the Limassol Psychological Well-being Center, and Helene Alexi Ioannides, systemic therapist and authenticity coach, to explore the power of inner work an...

Biotech isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Cyprus, but Dr Marianna Prokopi-Demetriades is changing that. In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Marianna: biotech founder, Forbes-listed innovator, and the woman behind three life sciences companies working to change the way cancer is treated. From losing close family members to cancer, to building therapies th...

Everyone's talking about AI, but how much of it is hype and how much of it is actually changing the way we work? In this episode, Martin sits down with Ivan Sysoev, Chief AI Officer at Quadcode, to talk about what AI looks like in practice, not theory. They unpack the myths, the real risks, and the potential for business transformation. From AI-powered productivity to the risks of relying too...

Gaming is now the biggest entertainment industry in the world, bigger than film and music combined. And Cyprus has quietly become one of its most important hubs. In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Roman and Kirill Gurskiy, twin brothers and Managing Directors of GEM Capital, one of the most active gaming venture capital firms in the world. From working together at EY to funding ma...

Cypriots around the world are making waves in business, culture, and innovation, but how connected are they to their roots? In this episode of Made in Cyprus , we dive into the inspiring story of Paul Lambis — founder of the Cyprus Diaspora Forum as well as award-winning screenwriter, playwright, author, filmmaker, and creator of Culturescope . From the challenges of cultural preservation abroad t...

Menopause is a reality for half the population, yet it's a topic that remains largely misunderstood and under-discussed, especially in Cyprus. In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Kathy Kattashis, menopause coach and founder of MITRA, to explore the reality of menopause, the stigma surrounding it, and why it’s time to bring this conversation into the mainstream. From the lack of...

In this episode of Made in Cyprus – Big Business Stories from a Tiny Island, host Martin sits down with Gala Grigoreva, the CMO at Adsterra, marketeer, mentor, and advocate for women in tech. Gala shares her journey from her early days in PR to becoming a leader in branding and marketing, revealing how she masterfully blends creativity, data, and authentic storytelling to build powerful brands. Ga...

In this episode of Made in Cyprus – Big Business Stories from a Tiny Island, our host sits down with Artem Burtsev, CMO of bb:, to explore the evolving world of real estate branding in Cyprus. Artem shares his journey through rebranding challenges—from separating development from traditional agency models to launching creative tenders that reshaped market perceptions. Discover how emotional storyt...

How does a love for art and engineering shape the future of fashion? In this episode, Made in Cyprus host Martin Zarian chats with creative entrepreneur Evangelina Fysa, founder of Bungalow 28 - a boutique agency at the intersection of style, branding, and tech. Evangelina reveals her unconventional path from coding websites as a teenager to attending exclusive runway shows, and finally launching...

In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we chat with keynote speaker and leadership coach Michael Virardi. Michael recounts how a chance conference trip to North Carolina sparked his passion for public speaking, ultimately leading him away from a thriving family business. We explore the power of authenticity in personal branding, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and why staying true to yo...

In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we dive into the fast-evolving world of branding and marketing with Nadezhda Ivanova, Chief Communication Officer at Unlimit and co-leader of Tech Island. Nadia shares the story behind Unlimit’s bold rebranding journey, transitioning from CardPay to a global fintech powerhouse with a neon green identity and a mission to stay "ready for tomorrow." We explore the c...

In this episode of Made in Cyprus , Andreas Spyrou, a third-generation leader at ASG Group and a key figure behind the Limassol and Larnaca Marathons, shares his journey navigating the complexities of a family business while driving innovation in Cyprus' evolving landscape. We explore how Andreas and his team transformed challenges into opportunities during the pandemic, diversifying their busines...

In this episode of Made in Cyprus , we explore the powerful concept behind F ckup Nights Limassol with Maria and Alla, the dynamic duo bringing this global movement to Cyprus. F ckup Nights offers a safe space for business leaders to openly share their failures, creating an environment that encourages vulnerability, trust, and growth. Maria and Alla share their personal journeys with failure and w...