Pavlos Kyriakou, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Amaro Hospitality Group, appeared as a surprise guest on the Start Up stage of INSPIRE 2025, and recounted his own entrepreneurial journey in a speech that no one expected, but everyone listened to with great attention.
With 20 years of experience abroad, Pavlos Kyriakou decided to return to the island to do something of his own in Cyprus.
Upon his arrival, he admits that he was in a state of shock at the situation he saw. "In 2015 I returned and I really believed that we were ready to join the philosophy of Europe. I thought that from the moment we started traveling and generally seeking experiences, the world would be ready for something new. I was in shock when I finally realised that was not the case," he emphasises.
2017 was the year that Amaro Hospitality Group started its operations, while until 2019 the souvlaki it offered was considered very expensive. “People didn’t realis2323e that I chose the best and highest quality ingredients, that I paid attention to quality,” he said.
Culinary experiences and restaurants with identity
Asked why Cyprus has difficulty trying new dishes, Pavlos Kyriakou replied directly that it is because we are a complacent people. He admits that it was never their intention to create a simple restaurant. “We have always aimed to create a non-replicable restaurant. To create an identity that people would follow,” he pointed out.
At the beginning of Amaro Hospitality Group, there were only two restaurants operating, while today there are nine. “I feel like we are just getting started. I feel like I am constantly in startup mode,” Kyriakou says.
The people around us
Speaking about the importance of choosing the right partners and the right people for the team, Kyriakou indicated that such choices are very important. “Mistakes are made and will always be made. Besides, the one who makes the most mistakes in my team is me, because I am the one who makes the decisions. I faithfully follow the motto “you are a business within the business”. We should not be afraid,” he underlined, among other things.
The moderator of the Fireside chat at 'The Start Up Stage- powered by KPMG', which took place at the National Bank of Greece (Cyprus) building, on Makariou Avenue, was Pangratios Vanezis, Board Member, Head of Enterprises and Startups, KPMG Startup Innovation Lab.
(Source: InBusinessNews)
