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The Insider's Guide to Business and Leisure in Cyprus: Locations, Communities, Media and More
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Startup Guides
The Insider's Guide to Business and Leisure in Cyprus: Locations, Communities, Media and More
This is part two of our series about Cyprus and its vibrant tech culture. Last time, we shared the key tech and business events happening on the island. In this post, we've collected the best coworking spaces, local tech and business media, startup programs, tech communities, and other notable places we think are worth checking out.
If you are new to the island or just passing through, this guide will help you navigate and see what Cyprus has to offer business- and leisure-wise. If you've lived in Cyprus for a long time and think you've seen it all, we hope you'll discover some new places, events, and activities to add to your list.
Coworking spaces
Thinker Maker Space
The Thinker Maker Space is a multi-function creative space run by CYENS, Cyprus's Research Center for Interactive Media, Smart Systems, and Emerging Technologies. Creative professionals in the area can use the space's rapid prototyping and digital fabrication tools, such as 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC machining, a workshop area, an exhibition area, and more.
https://makerspace.cyens.org.cy
The Business Bar
The Business Bar is a coworking space designed for all types of work, whether you are an entrepreneur, a freelancer, a consultant, or working remotely. The space is located in the heart of Limassol and offers multiple packages, from hot desks to VIP desks to conference rooms, designed to suit the future of work.
https://www.thebusinessbarcy.com
HUB Design Platform
HUB Design Platform is a creative network that links individuals or companies by providing physical and virtual hosting services, a training center, and a fab lab.
Antwork Limassol
Antwork Limassol is one of the three coworking spaces, along with ones in Beirut, Lebanon, and Amman, Jordan, offering a wide range of workspace options, from private offices and meeting rooms to hot desks and event spaces.
Regus
Regus is a worldwide network of workspaces that has created a global business community of 2.5 million people. Regus private office space in Limassol offers coworking desks and meeting rooms that you can hire by the day and office suites that you can rent long-term and customize with your own branding and layout.
https://www.regus.com/en-gb/cyprus/limassol
Ecastica Business Centers
Ecastica's four business centers in the center of Limassol offer high-quality, cost-effective, serviced office space and virtual office solutions. Private and shared serviced offices, hot desks, conference rooms, and virtual offices are all things that can be rented. Rental agreements can be as short as three months or as long as several years.
https://www.ecasticaoffices.com
SOHO Office Space
Located in the heart of Limassol, SOHO Office Space offers dynamic and modern workspaces for businesses of all kinds at any stage of their development. SOHO provides private offices, coworking spaces, virtual offices, meeting rooms, and other flexible, stress-free workspace options for the doers and thinkers of today.
To Hani
To Hani is the first co-living space on the island, welcoming digital nomads, remote workers, and professionals from around the globe. It's a place you can call home to connect, unwind, work, play, learn, inspire, and create authentic and meaningful connections.
https://instagram.com/tohani_coliving
hügge space
At hügge coworking in Paphos, you'll find a very inclusive community of digital folks who work hard every day to realize their individual dreams and, at the same time, recognize the need to unwind and have fun together—with a beer on the roof, beach volley in the sun, or a hardcore workout.
Business and tech media
Cyprus Mail
The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. Established in 1945, it's a go-to source for everything on the island, from the political agenda to the latest business, lifestyle, sports, and cultural news.
GOLD Magazine
GOLD magazine was founded in 2011 as the first English-language business monthly magazine in Cyprus. It provides a comprehensive and informed overview of the local business scene, the economy, and the market and has gained a reputation for its in-depth articles and revealing interviews with key local and international personalities.
https://www.magloft.com/app/goldmagazine#/shelf/view/default
Panis Newsletter
Your weekly dose of news and stories about startups, entrepreneurship, and innovation from Cyprus and worldwide, curated by Panis Pieri, a journalist, podcaster, startup, and innovation editor at Cyprus Mail, and organizer of tech meetups at EcoX Cyprus.
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/panis-newsletter-6935569584456404993/
Cyprus iT
Powered by TechIsland.org, the Cyprus iT Telegram channel is a one-stop shop for all the local tech news and networking events on the island.
Hack Cyprus
Launched at the end of 2022, Hack Cyprus is, in their own words, "a podcast about all things dev," featuring engineers, coders, and designers working on the island.
Communities and initiatives
Techisland
Techisland is the largest non-profit IT association in Cyprus, with over 180 member companies and the vision of transforming Cyprus into the tech island of Europe. The association runs several projects to promote the startup ecosystem in Cyprus. These include the Tech Ecosystem Map, which was just released with Dealroom, and the 1st Techisland Awards, which honor outstanding contributions to the tech industry on the island.
Robotex Cyprus
Started by the Cyprus Computer Society in 2017, the Pan-Cypriot Robotics Competition is Cyprus's largest and most innovative robotics festival, organized in collaboration with the Estonian NPO Robotex every June. The competition is free to enter and is open to students of all ages (elementary, middle, and high school), college students, military personnel, and adults interested in robotics.
Cyprus Computer Society
Since 1984, the Cyprus Computer Society (CCS) has been a professional, independent, non-profit organization that works to improve and promote high standards among IT professionals in Cyprus. CCS promotes broader social and economic progress by bringing together industry, academia, practitioners, and government to share knowledge, encourage new ways of thinking, help design new curricula, shape public policy, and educate the public.
Cyprus Seeds
Cyprus Seeds is a non-profit group started in June 2018 to help universities and research institutions in Cyprus bring their innovative academic research to the market. Cyprus Seeds provides grants, mentoring, training, and advice to support research projects to mature to a stage that can attract venture capital or funding from private investors.
Startup Grind Cyprus
Launched in 2012, the Cypriot chapter of Startup Grind is one of Cyprus's most active entrepreneurship communities, with over 4,000 members. Aligned with Startup Grind HQ's values, the chapter aims to reunite the entrepreneurs and startups in Cyprus within a community focused on helping one another, giving and receiving information and support, and having lots of fun together while networking.
https://www.startupgrind.com/cyprus
Universities
Universities are essential in raising future entrepreneurs and tech professionals on the island. In addition to regular educational programs, they host startup programs, tech conferences, and workshops with local and international industry experts for students, startup founders, IT professionals, and the general public.
Here are recent examples of Cyprus universities' initiatives:
Microsoft For Startups Cyprus Program launched by the European University Cyprus in close collaboration with Microsoft and leading Cypriot companies, including BSM Cyprus, CNP Cyprus, CYTA, ExxonMobil, EY, and others.
Exclusive interview with the co-founder and CEO of Binance, Mr. Changpeng Zhao, at the University of Nicosia about the future of crypto assets and ongoing industry developments.
Regular events for entrepreneurs and startup founders at the Center for Entrepreneurship of the University of Cyprus.
Many other events organized by the Cypriot tech communities can be found in our most recent event guide.
Coffee shops, restaurants, and cafés for business meetings, meetups, and after-work chats
WAGMI COFFEE
A specialty coffee and tea shop serving brunch and lunch options, wine, and cocktails. WAGMI welcomes pets and has secure bike parking in the garden.
https://www.instagram.com/wagmi_cy | http://wagmicoffee.com
Tasters Cafe
A cozy dog-friendly cafe serving delicious coffee, breakfasts, lunches, and brunches. An excellent spot for a quick bite or a business meeting over perfectly cooked focaccia, egg benedict, or vegan pancakes.
https://www.instagram.com/tasterscafe
DO Wine & Dine
A great place to unwind after work, serving modern Mediterranean cuisine made with local ingredients, trendy Japanese cuisine, and delectable desserts. DO's drinks menu offers more than 200 labels of wine, the finest whiskey and cognac, sparkling wine, champagne, and classic cocktails.
The Garden
Restaurant and lounge bar, the Garden features modern eclectic cuisine with a unique blend of flavors from East and West. Everything from delicious steaks to authentic pizzas and sushi is served in a relaxing setting, both indoors and out. Great for any business occasion, whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a special event.
HookahPlace Limassol
A pleasant after-work lounge bar with a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere, high-quality hookahs, and friendly service.
https://goo.gl/maps/VUNmUHYCgdt7VLBa6
Recreational activities
In addition to its bustling business scene, Cyprus has a vibrant cultural life. So if you're on the island for business, you can combine your trip with fun after-work activities. We've rounded up five iconic events from various fields that attract people from all over the world.
OPAP Limassol Marathon
The OPAP Limassol Marathon is Cyprus's largest sporting event, with six races and four parallel events annually. The marathon's FLAT, FAST, and COASTAL routes ensure a first-class running experience for thousands of local and international runners and provide the ideal setting to set and break new personal records.
https://www.limassolmarathon.com
BEONIX FESTIVAL
BEONIX is a unique electronic dance music and arts festival where you can experience the world's best DJs, stunning special effects, and an incredible atmosphere. The show features three stages, 50 DJs, nine different experiences, and more than 30 hours of electronic music.
Mediterranean Bar Show
The ultimate multi-experiential festival for cocktails, seminars, specialty coffee, and mouth-watering street food. The Mediterranean Bar Show brings people together to educate them and, above all, to establish business connections and lifelong friendships in a fun and exciting way.
https://mediterraneanbarshow.com
Ancient Greek Drama Festival
The International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama is a unique cultural event hosted in Cyprus for over 25 years. The festival welcomes theater companies worldwide to present ancient Greek drama in their own language. Festival performances occur in open-air amphitheaters like the Curium Ancient Theatre in Limassol (Episkopi), the Ancient Odeon in Paphos, and the Makarios III Amphitheater in Nicosia.
https://www.greekdramafest.com
Vegan Fam Festival
Held annually at the stunning Ancient Olive Tree Park in Psematismenos Village, Larnaca, the Vegan Fam Festival is a celebration of all life forms and a chance for everyone interested in a healthy, low-harm lifestyle to get together and have a fun day. Visitors can enjoy delicious vegan food, join various cooking and well-being workshops, shop ethically sourced products, and enjoy live music performances.
