Pavel Shynkarenko, Founder and CEO of Mellow.io, with over 20 years of experience in financial and legal technologies, shared his entrepreneurial journey at on The Global Entrepreneur Stage at INSPIRE 2025, during the panel Technology Entrepreneurs: Turning Cyprus into a Global Technology and Innovation Hub.
“I started my entrepreneurial journey as a student, working in a law firm and an internet café, and brought an idea to life,” he recalled. Initially a self-taught entrepreneur without formal management knowledge, Shynkarenko quickly recognized the importance of diversification. “You need to diversify your business areas. I chose three industries — event tourism, HORECA, and others — to protect the business. In 2020, COVID hit and destroyed everything in a month. Revenue plummeted, and I faced total failure. It was a lesson in closing losses quickly and continuing with productivity.”
Mellow.io was born in Cyprus. Shynkarenko explained: “We chose Cyprus because it met strict requirements for laws, regulation, and taxation. Out of a shortlist of five countries, only Cyprus fit the criteria. Now, Cyprus is our home, and we’ve established a thriving business here.”
The discussion was moderated by Jovanna M. Yiouselli, Invest Promotion Advisor, Invest Cyprus.
Partners & Sponsors
Strategic Partner: Cyta Business
Platinum Sponsor: Bank of Cyprus
Gold Sponsors: ECOMMBX, Zorbas Group, Cyfield
Silver Sponsors: PwC Cyprus, Petrolina, Bioland
Academic Sponsor: University of Nicosia
Stage Sponsors: National Bank of Greece (Cyprus), KPMG Cyprus, Odyssey, CyRIC/Gravity Ventures Incubator, Invest Cyprus
Panel Sponsors: HRDA, OPAP
Podcast Presenter: Payabl.
Sponsors: Hermes Airports, IMR, Libertex
Technology Partner: Kotsovolos
Community Partner: TechIsland, Junior Achievement Cyprus
Innovation Partner: Research & Innovation Foundation (IDEK)
Mobility Partner: Pilakoutas Group
Sustainable Transport Partner: Cyprus Public Transport
Sustainability Partner: Electricity Authority of Cyprus
Coffee Partner: Coffee Berry
Partner: Charalambides Christis
Supporters: ASBIS, CSR Cyprus, Capacitor Partners, HJS Insurance Agents, Mastercard, Robura, Superad, Kapodistrias, Photos Photiades Breweries & Epilogi, Voici La Mode Group of Companies, GrantXpert, Gap Vassilopoulos, Techbiz, Grow Sustainability Consulting, ASBIS, Murex, Drastyc, Bolt
With the support of: Cyprus Computer Society, CITEA, CPMA, Youth Board of Cyprus, OEB, Skills Cyprus, National Betting Authority
Media Sponsors: Alpha Cyprus, CBN, IN Business, Reporter, SuperFM
Organizer: IMH
Under the auspices of: Municipality of Nicosia
- INSPIRE 2025 – Where passion meets action, and action changes the world.
