Made In Cyprus | Big biz stories from a tiny island

Jaksot

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  Made in Cyprus | S3 E9 | Bringing Silicon Valley culture home with Michael Tyirimos. 02.09.2026 50min

  Made in Cyprus | S3 E9 | Bringing Silicon Valley culture home with Michael Tyirimos.In the early 2010s, a handful of people started organising hackathons and putting Facebook posts out to see who would show up. Nobody made a cent. They did it for Cyprus.In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Michael Tyirimos, Founder & Managing Director of Capacitor Partners and member of the Cyprus National Board for Research and Innovation, to trace the origin of the Cyprus startup ecosystem back to the people who quietly built it.From studying in Cambridge, spending time in Silicon Valley and getting his moment with people like Reid Hoffman, to coming home in his early 20s determined to bring that same open, collaborative culture to Cyprus, Michael shares how a Facebook post led to Cyprus Enterprise Link, how the crew behind it went on to launch Hack Cyprus, and why the community outlasted the initiatives that started it.We talk about why an island this small has two ecosystems instead of one, why the split between "local" and "foreign" companies is the wrong lens, and why cross-pollination between imported talent and local talent is the only way forward. We dig into his bet that a unicorn is coming out of Cyprus, why founders should stop chasing valuations and start solving problems, and how AI should be treated as a tool, never a decision-maker.And we end on a dream shared by both host and guest: that in ten years, Cyprus will finally be Cyprus one island, unified.This is a conversation about resilience, cross-pollination, and the quiet builders who laid the foundations everyone else is standing on.Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Made in Cyprus | S3 E8 | The Leap of Faith with Eddy Nassar. 05.08.2026 1t 2min

  Made in Cyprus | S3 E8 | Trading 24 years of hospitality for Cyprus with Eddy Nassar. After 24 years climbing to the top of Cyprus's hospitality world, Eddy Nassar walked away to build something of his own.In this episode of Made in Cyprus, we sit down with Eddy Nassar, founder of MICA (Mediterranean Influencer Creator Association) and the voice behind The Cyprus Insider, to unpack the leap of faith that turned a 24-year Columbia career into a fast-growing creator platform.From growing up between Beirut and Limassol, to running entertainment at Columbia Plaza, to reaching Managing Director and realising that comfort had become the problem - Eddy shares the real triggers behind the pivot, including his mother's passing and the loneliness that set in the higher he climbed.We talk about why he refuses to be paid for his Cyprus content, why every trip abroad makes him fall back in love with the island, and how MICA grew from 5 creators to 120 members in a single year. And we dig into the harder conversations too - is Limassol becoming a city locals can no longer afford, is the government keeping pace with the growth, and can Cyprus really become the biggest creators hub in ten years?This is a conversation about ambition, authenticity, and finding the courage to leave the safe seat behind.Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Made in Cyprus | S3 E7 | Building Global Events from a Tiny Island with Lilly Pavlou 07.07.2026 42min

  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 show, to the moment she realised events could be a serious global business, Lilly breaks down why running events today means being part business leader, part crisis manager. We talk about the difference between events that build real community and ones that are just expensive networking theatre, and why bigger isn't always better.We explore what it means to build a predominantly female team, whether the industry has become too commercialised, and what actually separates a good event from a great one.This is a conversation about events, but more importantly, about credibility, community, and building something worth people's time.Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Made in Cyprus | S3 E6 | Building the Cyprus Startup Ecosystem with Andreas Panayi 04.06.2026 54min

  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 breaks down what's actually holding the island back. We talk about why the biggest problem isn't funding, but coordination, mindset, and the missing infrastructure underneath it all.We explore what real startup infrastructure looks like, why collaboration and connection are the two pillars that matter most, and whether Cyprus needs to stop trying to do everything and finally specialise.This is a conversation about startups, but more importantly, about ambition, honesty, and building an ecosystem that actually lasts.Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Made in Cyprus | S3 E5 | Reinventing Souvlaki: O Tatas with George & Christos Chimonides 05.05.2026 57min

  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 of the most saturated and opinionated markets on the island.We talk about why consistency is the real competitive edge, how pricing in food is often misunderstood, and why most restaurants fail not because of the food… but because of everything around it.We also dive into operations, hiring, branding, and the reality of running multiple concepts - from high-end dining to fast casual.This is a conversation about food, but more importantly, about systems, discipline, and building something that lasts.Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Startups, Exits and the Experience Economy with Michael Economou 07.04.2026 1t 5min

  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, and why this new venture is driven by passion, not just problem-solving. We explore the mindset of entrepreneurs, the importance of choosing the right early customers, and why experiences are becoming more valuable than material things.Michael also shares insights on resilience, risk-taking, and why success is simply “a game” for those who love building. Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Inside Cyprus’ Delivery Food Game with Yiannis Hadjiconstantouras 03.03.2026 48min

  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 about building multi-brand kitchens during COVID, why most new food concepts don’t survive past the first hype wave, and the four numbers Yiannis obsesses over daily (reviews, food cost, staff cost, sales). He also shares why service recovery is a brand superpower, why “ghost kitchens are history,” and what it will take to turn a Cyprus-born operation into a franchised chain.Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Despo Pavlou on Coming Out, Culture & Why Cyprus is Behind 03.02.2026 43min

  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 identity for decades, to coming out, rebuilding, and turning trauma into a story that helps others feel seen.We talk family, faith, and why religion and politics should never decide who gets to love who. We also get into her book "My Kind of Normal", why representation matters, and what has to change in Cyprus - from policy, to culture, to the everyday way people speak about "normal".Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  From Bolt to Piney: Nicolas Chrysostomou on Scaling Operations in Europe 06.01.2026 53min

  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, surviving COVID when revenue hit zero overnight, and why building from Cyprus is powerful… but can’t be your only test.We get into why Piney isn’t just “a cleaning company,” how the team built the technology first, and what changes when you operate across Athens, Lisbon, Madrid, and Paris, where infrastructure and logistics rewrite the rules.Brought to you by Factory 39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Inside Cyprus’ Startup Scene with Panis Pieri 02.12.2025 44min

  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 face, and the need for stronger collaboration between cities. Panis also breaks down why mindset matters, how founders can think global from day one, and what the island must fix, from infrastructure to commercialising university research, to become a true launchpad for innovation.Whether you’re a founder, investor, or simply curious about Cyprus’ potential, this conversation offers a clear view of what the next decade could hold for the island’s startup scene.Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Mike Charalambous on Threedium, Hyper-Personalisation and Scaling Globally. 04.11.2025 50min

  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 and hyper-personalised experiences, and why attention (not clicks) is the new currency for brands. We dive into the challenges of building from Cyprus, the realities of scaling globally, and how to navigate the ever-changing hype cycles of AI, blockchain and the metaverse while staying true to your vision.It’s a conversation about innovation, resilience and how to build something world-class from a small island with big ideas.Brought to you by Factory 39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Mellow’s Alex Norovyatkin on Remote Work & The Happiness Trap 07.10.2025 51min

  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 thrive in a world where remote work, freelancers and gig economies are becoming the norm. Alex shares how Mellow is helping businesses hire, contract and pay flexible workforces in over 100 countries, all while navigating the challenges of culture, communication and brand trust.We dive into the cultural shifts brought by Gen Z, the balance between office and remote work, and how AI is shaping the jobs of tomorrow. Alex also reflects on why brand has become non-negotiable for growth and how Mellow is carving out a unique space in the crowded future-of-work landscape.Whether you’re a business leader, an HR professional, or simply curious about what comes next for the way we work, this conversation will challenge assumptions and offer fresh insights.Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  From Wargaming to AI: Sergey Osipov on Innovation from Cyprus 02.09.2025 48min

  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 reshaping industries, why creativity is more important than ever, and what it means to build products for both people and robots. Sergey also reflects on Cyprus as a hub for innovation, the balance between work and lifestyle, and why passion and adaptability are the keys to thriving in an era of constant change.It’s a wide-ranging conversation about business, creativity, and the future of technology straight from one of Cyprus’ most dynamic entrepreneurial voices.Brought to you by Factory 39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Building Marketing Communities with Stavriana Nathanail 05.08.2025 1t 4min

  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 dreamer to marketing leader, and why passion, hustle, and people-first thinking are at the heart of every great campaign.
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  From Trauma to Trust: Stephanos & Helene on Authentic Relationships 01.07.2025 54min

  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 and the dynamics of building a relationship that truly grows with you.From generational trauma and toxic patterns to returning to Cyprus and raising a family with intention, Stephanos and Helene open up about their personal journey, their professional insights and the daily practice of staying emotionally connected and honest.Whether you’re in a relationship, navigating your own personal development, or curious about the mental health movement in Cyprus, this episode offers an honest and inspiring look into what it really takes to love and live authentically.Brought to you by Factory 39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Fighting Cancer with Purpose: Marianna Prokopi-Demetriades on Biotech 03.06.2025 43min

  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 that reverse cancer cells, Marianna shares the story behind her mission and the immense resilience it takes to launch biotech startups on an island not yet built for it.We talk about science with empathy, raising millions from values-aligned investors, and why caring with heart is just as important as creating a cure. This is a powerful conversation on trauma, purpose, and the fight to bring meaningful innovation to life no matter the odds.Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Quadcode's Ivan Sysoev on What AI Means for Business & Cyprus 06.05.2025 50min

  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 much on machines to think for us, this episode brings a grounded, strategic lens to the global AI conversation. Plus: what Cyprus is getting right and what we need to catch up on.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the AI noise, this one’s for you.Brought to you by Factory 39 and Martin Zarian.
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  GEM Capital: Roman & Kirill Gurskiy on Gaming, VC & Cyprus’ Global 18.04.2025 53min

  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 major successes like Atomic Heart and Replaced, they share how they turned a lifelong passion for gaming into a global investment powerhouse.We talk about the rise of Cyprus as a gaming destination, what makes gaming investments different from traditional VC, and the trends shaping the future of the industry, from free-to-play to AAA titles and in-game economies.It’s a conversation full of insight, real talk, and plenty of laughs. Whether you’re a gamer, a founder, or an investor, this episode is packed with lessons on turning your passion into your profession.Brought to you by Factory 39 and Martin Zarian.
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  The Cyprus Diaspora Forum: Paul Lambis on Uniting Cypriots Worldwide 28.03.2025 58min

  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 to building meaningful connections between the diaspora and the island, Paul shares his personal journey from Johannesburg to Cyprus and the mission behind the Forum.We also explore the importance of maintaining cultural roots, the challenges of integrating into new societies, and how the Forum is shaping the future of Cyprus as a global hub for business and culture.Whether you're a business professional, a diaspora member, or simply curious about Cyprus’ untapped potential, this episode offers valuable insights and fresh perspectives. Tune in and join the conversation on shaping Cyprus’ future through unity and collaboration.Brought to you by Factory39 and Martin Zarian.
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  Changing the Narrative on Menopause with Kathy Kattashis 14.03.2025 38min

  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 medical research to the impact on careers and relationships, Kathy shares her personal journey, the work she’s doing to push for awareness and policy change, and how businesses, families, and individuals can better support those going through it.It’s an eye-opening conversation for everyone that challenges outdated narratives and highlights why we all need to care about menopause.Brought to you by Factory39.