Made In Cyprus | Big biz stories from a tiny island

Martin Zarian @Factory 39
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated fortnightly

Made in Cyprus," the first English podcast that takes you behind the scenes of building a business and brand on this small but mighty island. Join us as we explore the big business stories from a tiny island, diving deep into the journeys of the people putting Cyprus on the global map. From the challenges to the triumphs, "Made in Cyprus" shines a light on the individuals putting Cyprus on the global map, embodying the spirit of "mitsi alla rotsi" — small but mighty! Brought to you by Factory 39, hosted by Martin Zarian.

  1. 2 Sept

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

    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.

  2. 5 Aug

    Made in Cyprus | S3 E8 | The Leap of Faith with Eddy Nassar.

    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.

  3. 7 Jul

    Made in Cyprus | S3 E7 | Building Global Events from a Tiny Island with Lilly Pavlou

    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.

  4. 4 Jun

    Made in Cyprus | S3 E6 | Building the Cyprus Startup Ecosystem with Andreas Panayi

    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.

  5. 5 May

    Made in Cyprus | S3 E5 | Reinventing Souvlaki: O Tatas with George & Christos Chimonides

    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.

  6. 7 Apr

    Startups, Exits and the Experience Economy with Michael Economou

    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.

  7. 3 Mar

    Inside Cyprus’ Delivery Food Game with Yiannis Hadjiconstantouras

    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.

  8. 3 Feb

    Despo Pavlou on Coming Out, Culture & Why Cyprus is Behind

    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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About

Made in Cyprus," the first English podcast that takes you behind the scenes of building a business and brand on this small but mighty island. Join us as we explore the big business stories from a tiny island, diving deep into the journeys of the people putting Cyprus on the global map. From the challenges to the triumphs, "Made in Cyprus" shines a light on the individuals putting Cyprus on the global map, embodying the spirit of "mitsi alla rotsi" — small but mighty! Brought to you by Factory 39, hosted by Martin Zarian.

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