“Even before 2015, Cyprus stood out to us for its diversity and that’s exactly what drew us in. Its cultural richness aligns closely with our values at Semrush, making it a natural fit for expansion,” Danil Shelekhov, Vice President of Product Growth at Semrush, recently revealed.
He was speaking to GOLD magazine on the occasion of the company being presented with an Invest Cyprus International Investment Award earlier this year.
Just a few months later, Adobe has reached a $1.9 billion deal to acquire the search engine marketing platform, which has offices in Limassol.
The acquisition aims to boost Adobe's tools for marketers in the age of artificial intelligence.
Adobe said it will pay $12 a share for Semrush in an all-cash transaction. The deal is expected to close during the first half of 2026.
A global presence
Semrush is a leading SaaS platform for online visibility management, helping businesses worldwide achieve measurable results in SEO, PPC, content marketing, social media and competitive research.
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Boston, USA, Semrush has offices in 12 global cities, including Limassol, Cyprus where it has been present since 2015.
Semrush, which offers search engine optimization tools to marketers, went public in 2021 and its biggest customers include Amazon and TikTok.
Choosing Cyprus
In the interview with GOLD magazine, Shelekhov also talked about how another key factor was Cyprus’ favourable immigration framework, which made it easier to relocate skilled professionals.
“This supportive environment has helped us build a strong local team and attract top talent from around the world, fuelling both our presence here and our broader global growth,” he said.
The Vice President also shared his view of the island’s tech sector, noting, “The transformation of Cyprus’ tech ecosystem over the past few years has been remarkable. What stands out most is the rapid shift from a relatively small tech presence to a vibrant, globally connected innovation hub.”
“We’ve seen a surge in startups, the arrival of international tech players and a growing focus on digital infrastructure and R&D,” he continued, adding, “What’s also impressive is the increasing collaboration between the private sector, the Government and academia. It’s creating a fertile environment for sustainable growth. Cyprus is no longer just an attractive location. It’s becoming a serious contributor to the global tech conversation and we’re proud to be part of that!”
Growth strategy
Shelekhov also noted that Cyprus remains an important part of Semrush’s future.
“Cyprus remains a key part of our growth strategy. We’re actively hiring across multiple roles and continuing to expand our local footprint. Beyond team growth, we’re committed to contributing to the broader tech ecosystem through talent development, collaboration and knowledge-sharing. As the sector matures, we see even more opportunities to invest, connect and innovate here.”
An IT talent hub
Meanwhile, in another recent interview with GOLD magazine, Katsiaryna Hashkina, Associate HR Director, talked about the company’s approach to its employees and opened a window onto their experience of living and working in Cyprus.
“This year marks an exciting milestone – ten years of Semrush in Cyprus!” Hashkina noted, adding that Cyprus’ favourable immigration framework made it easier to attract skilled talent.
However, Semrush has spent the decade in Cyprus for more than this quality alone, she elaborated, “As we’ve grown more connected with Cyprus, we’ve come to truly value its collaborative, forward-thinking approach to the tech industry.”
“The concentration of IT enterprises and talent here is exceptional,” she said.
Three core values
Among other things, the interview also revealed that Semrush’s Limassol office is designed for both collaboration and concentration – a balance reflected across its global hubs, from Dallas to Warsaw.
“Our architect designed open hubs, phone booths for private calls and meeting rooms for focus,” explains Hashkina. Semrush’s culture rests on three values distilled from its 17-year evolution from startup to public company: trust, a sense of ownership and constant change.
“Trust is non-negotiable,” says Hashkina. It applies not only to projects but also to how people manage their time, as employees can choose how and where they work, whether remotely, in the office or in hybrid form. “We don’t believe in the 9-to-5. That’s what makes us stand out,” she adds. Ownership, she explains, stems from the belief that every employee is an expert capable of turning an idea into impact.
“Our colleagues in Cyprus often tell us they get the best of both worlds,” Hashkina said. They are a part of global company with a strong product and international reach, yet they enjoy the warmth and support of a close-knit local team. Moreover, she added, “The projects are genuinely interesting, giving people a chance to grow while contributing to something with overarching impact. That mix is what makes Semrush an employer of choice.”
Also read: Adobe to buy Limassol-based Semrush for $1.9 billion
Also read: Danil Shelekhov talks about why Semrush chose to create a presence in Cyprus (video)
Also read: A look inside global AI-powered digital marketing firm Semrush's offices in Limassol (pics)
