The 18th IN Business Awards have been presented in the biggest celebration of Cypriot entrepreneurship and during an evening that attracted the interest of the business community and beyond.
The Landmark Hotel hosted the glamorous evening on 18 May and which for 18 years has been a point of reference for Cypriot entrepreneurship, rewarding innovation, development, extroversion and entrepreneurial boldness.
The 18th IN Business Awards proved, for yet another year, that Cypriot entrepreneurship continues to evolve, innovate and create strong prospects for the future.
With Christiana Aristotelous as the evening's presenter, the ultimate institution recognising and rewarding Cypriot entrepreneurship, small and large companies, excellent products and services, as well as people who excel at home and abroad, once again confirmed that good practices will always find a way to flourish and stand out.
Within the framework of the 18th IN Business Awards, distinctions were awarded in 9 categories of business activity, as well as three special/honorary awards. This year's winners can be viewed below:
BUSINESS, presented by Demetriades Handling
LaikoCosmos
With a portfolio that includes more than 130 popular international and local brands, such as Red Bull, Grey Goose, Hendrick's, ION, Laiko Coffee , Zivana LOEL, Famous Grouse, Stoli, Bacardi and Perrier, LaikoCosmos owns leadership position in the sector of import, sale and distribution of food and beverages. With a Cypriot identity, decades of experience, modern infrastructure and a team of over 270 employees, LaikoCosmos continuously invests in the development of the brands it represents, creates substantial value for partners, customers and consumers, actively contributing to the shaping of the Cypriot market.
SMALL-MEDIUM ENTERPRISE, presented by G.A.P. Vassilopoulos Group
DataTech
Nicos Apostolides and his associates founded DataTech in 1989, and the company grew to become one of the leading providers of integrated IT solutions in Cyprus. Today, Elias Petrides is its co-owner and key partner. With a long-standing presence and pioneering work in the fields of mobile computing and document management, the company has implemented some of the largest and most demanding IT projects in the public and private sectors of our country. DataTech currently employs 37 people and leverages its know-how, expertise and international partnerships to provide reliable and innovative solutions for its clients.
MANAGER - CEO (IN MEMORY OF ANDY HADJICOSTIS)
George Pantelides, Head of Consulting Services, Deloitte Cyprus & Chairman of OEB
George Pantelides has over 20 years of experience. He has managed notable international investments and contributed to mergers and acquisitions of large organisations. Pantelides is a Partner at Deloitte Cyprus, holding the positions of Consultative Businesses Leader and Chief Strategy Officer. He is also the Chairman of the Employers & Industrialists' Federation (OEB) and Vice President of BusinessEurope, the largest business organisation in Europe. Through his extensive experience in large and recognised international organisations, he has promoted the implementation of best practices in businesses and important reforms in the Cypriot business and economic landscape.
SERVICES
L. Papaphilippou & Co. LLC
Founded in 1963 by Loukis Papaphilippou, it has established itself as one of the leading and most respected law firms in Cyprus. With over 60 years of experience and a team of 40 lawyers, it has established a strong presence in the areas of corporate and maritime law, banking and finance litigation, asset management and immigration. It also provides legal advice and representation in relation to the control of foreign direct investments, as well as public offerings, cross-border mergers, acquisitions, international liquidations, civil and criminal litigation in relation to the jurisdiction of the Cypriot courts.
TOURISM - ENTERTAINING- CATERING
Beba Restaurant
Inspired by mom's recipes and traditional Mediterranean flavours, it offers comfort food dishes that combine simplicity, quality and creativity. Beba Restaurant stands out for its authentic Cypriot and Greek cuisine and has been awarded repeatedly. The restaurant currently employs 70 people and continues to place special emphasis on the selection of quality and fresh ingredients, attentive service and consistent quality.
TRADE
Mitsides Public Company
It entered the market in 1932 as a family business and today is the main flour and pasta producer in Cyprus, listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange, with a turnover of around €40 million. In addition to the traditional flour and pasta production sectors, it is involved in the marketing of many other related products - Pourgouri (cracked wheat), tomato products, sauces, broths, rice, legumes - as well as the distribution of raw materials for baking and confectionery. With production units in Cyprus and Serbia, it employs 220 people, serving both the Cypriot market and foreign markets through intense export activity.
LAND DEVELOPMENT- CONSTRUCTION
bbf:
The company has been active in the real estate sector since 2007 with a team of over 300 employees in the country and abroad. It is one of the leading companies in the sector with a presence throughout Cyprus, Greece and Canada. It offers comprehensive services for the development, sale and management of real estate rentals with its own furnishing unit. It has completed iconic projects such as Eden Roc, Sky Tower and Marco Polo, while bbf: has also undertaken the restoration of the historic Berengaria Hotel and the design of the large Land of Tomorrow and KEAN developments, which will further enhance Cyprus' prestige among investment and tourist destinations.
ESG – CSR
Lanitis Group
Corporate sustainability and responsibility are intertwined with the Lanitis Group’s business and social work. Among the sectors it invests in are renewable energy sources, seeking to contribute to the reduction of the environmental footprint and the green transition. In the social sector, the group has been actively involved in the fields of education, culture and health, developing and strengthening educational and cultural institutions and events, health infrastructure and social service organisations. The Evagoras and Kathleen Lanitis Foundation has played a central role in the implementation of the group's ESG - CSR program since 2001.
BEST WORKPLACE / EMPLOYER OF CHOICE
The Starbucks Coffee Company
It is one of the most recognisable examples of businesses that have integrated diversity and gender equality into their daily operations. The Starbucks Coffee Company has managed to create a work environment where inclusion, respect and equal opportunities are fundamental values that guide its policies and practices. The company implements transparent and merit-based evaluation and promotion processes, ensuring equal development opportunities for all employees, including the possibility of assuming leadership roles. At the same time, it invests in the continuous development of its human resources, offering access to training seminars, mentoring programmes with experienced colleagues and ongoing support at every stage of the employees' professional career.
HONORARY AWARD TO A CYPRIOT BUSINESSMAN/PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES ABROAD, PRESENTED BY THE PILAKOUTAS GROUP
Andrie Lazari, Len Lazari and Nicholas Lazari, Executive Directors, Lazari Investments Limited
Len Lazari: He joined the family business in 1989, after completing his undergraduate studies in Economics and Public Administration. He has played a decisive role in the leadership and development of the Lazari groups, leveraging the many years of experience he gained through his business career as an investor and Administrative Executive. He has extensive knowledge in the field of real estate and business, contributing substantially to the formulation and implementation of development and asset management strategies. With a deep business understanding and creative entrepreneurial spirit, enriched by the experience of multiple economic cycles, he contributes substantially to every aspect of the company. At the same time, he led significant developments and contributed to the formulation of the Group's tax and diversification strategies.
Nicholas Lazari: He joined Lazari in 1995, following his professional experience in a property valuation firm. Previously, he completed undergraduate studies in Economics and Public Administration, as well as an MSc in Property Valuation and Law at City St. George’s, Universit of London. He is considered an expert in the investment and development market for commercial real estate in the West End of London and plays a central role in almost every aspect of Lazari 's operations, including acquisitions, strategic asset management, developments and financing. He also oversees the financial management and day-to-day operations of the Group. His analytical thinking and broad knowledge of the real estate market are key elements of Lazari 's successful course.
Andrie Lazari: She joined Lazari in 2001, playing a key role in the growth of the group. Previously, she completed her LLB at Queen Mary's University of London, followed by a Master's in Property Valuation and Law. Known for her innovative approach and creative asset management, she promotes collaboration and active tenant participation. Andrie has expanded the Group's financial framework from the early stages, securing capital to support growth, while aligning partnerships with the Group's values. Andrie led the group’s strategic refinancing through the most challenging periods, including the 2007 financial crisis, as well as successfully navigating the challenges of the post-Brexit period as well as the COVID-19 period. She identified significant property acquisitions to expand Lazari’s portfolio in the West End. Andrie combines prudence with a drive for growth.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Andreas Tsokkos, Executive Chairman and Anastasia Tsokkou, Managing Director of Α. Τsokkos Hotels Public
Andreas Tsokkos: He is the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, founder and shareholder of A. Tsokkos Hotels Public Ltd, one of the most established companies in the hospitality and tourism sector in Cyprus and also a Member of the Board of Directors of Dome Investments Public Co Ltd.
He was born in 1946 in Frenaros, Famagusta and graduated from the 2nd Gymnasium of Famagusta in 1965. He then studied at the School of Dentistry of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, initially following a professional career in the health sector. He worked at the Hospitals of Larnaca and Paralimni until 1979. In the same year, he made his transition to the tourism and hotel sector, laying the foundations for a particularly successful business path.
With insight, consistency and dedication, he contributed substantially to the development of the hotel industry and to the emergence of the Free District of Famagusta as a leading tourist destination.
In addition to his business activities, Tsokkos has played an important role in institutional and professional organizations in the tourism sector. He is the First Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Hotel Association (PASYXE) and Secretary of PASYXE Famagusta.
In addition, he served as a Member of the Management Committee of the Hotel Industry Employees Provident Fund and a Member of the Board of Directors of the Famagusta Region Tourism Development Company. His many years of experience are characterised by vision, leadership and a substantial contribution to the development and promotion of Cypriot tourism.
Anastasia Tsokkou: She is the Managing Director and shareholder of the company A. Tsokkos Hotels Public Ltd, with a long-standing and decisive presence in the business, economic and social sector of Cyprus.
Tsokkou was born in Paralimni in 1957 andgraduated from Paralimni Gymnasium in 1975. She continued her studies at the Athens School of Economics and Commercial Sciences (ASOEE), where she studied from 1975 to 1979. She served as the Company's General Financial Manager until 1999, when she was appointed to her current position, contributing decisively to the further development and strengthening of the Group's presence in the tourism and hotel sector.
Tsokkou is also Chair of the Board of Directors of Dome Investments Public Co Ltd. At the same time, she maintains a strong presence in the public sphere, in local government, in organisations and bodies of social, cultural and professional action.
She is a Member of the Paralimni Municipal Council and a Member of the Paralimni Municipality Tourism Committee, while she also served as President of the Municipality's Finance Committee. She is also a Member of the O Organization of Women Entrepreneurs Professionals of the Free Province of Famagusta (OGEE) and a Member of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women.
She was also a Member of the Tourism Development Company of the Famagusta region. She actively participates in and supports charitable foundations, and specifically is a key member of the KEPA Charitable Foundation in Paralimni.
Her many years of professional and social activity are characterised by responsibility, ethics, dynamism and continuous contribution, contributing substantially both to the development of tourism and hotel entrepreneurship and to the progress of the local community.
ΕDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD
TechIsland
TechIsland is the largest technology association in Cyprus with more than 400 members. Of these, 52% are Cypriot companies and 48% are foreign investment companies with a presence or headquarters in Cyprus. Its network includes startups, small and medium-sized enterprises , scaleups , multinational companies, venture capital firms, capital funds and accelerators , with activity in sectors such as Software Development, FinTech, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Video Gaming, AdTech, Blockchain, HealthTech and VR / AR.
Since its establishment in 2021, TechIsland has been working strategically to strengthen Cyprus as an international hub for technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. As the collective voice of the technology industry, it promotes policies and initiatives that strengthen the business environment and contribute to creating the right conditions for growth, investment and talent attraction in Cyprus. At the same time, it invests in creating meaningful opportunities for education, collaboration and networking, actively contributing to the development of a dynamic and competitive ecosystem.
The Board of Directors, under the leadership of its Chairman Valentinos Polykarpou, has managed to significantly strengthen the institutional role of TechIsland, evolving the organisation into a key body of cooperation between the state, industry and institutions. Through this approach, it has contributed to the formation of a more mature, extroverted and competitive environment for the country's technology industry, while contributing to the overall social progress and sustainability of Cyprus.
Today, the strategic importance of the technology sector for the Cypriot economy is now clearly reflected in specific economic indicators. According to a recent study by KPMG, the technology sector represents approximately 17% of the country's Gross Value Added (GVA), while its total contribution to the economy, taking into account direct, indirect and induced multiplier effects, amounts to €13.7 billion.
Accordingly, taking into account the direct and indirect effects on employment, the technology sector supports approximately 79 thousand jobs in the Cypriot economy, a number that recorded an average annual growth rate of 11.4% over the last decade.
Cyprus is now among the leading countries in the European Union in key indicators of technological development. Specifically, it is ranked:
- 3rd in the European Union in terms of the contribution of the ICT sector to the country's GDP, with a percentage of 12.5%, compared to the European average of 5.6%.
- 1st in the European Union in terms of the growth rate of the ICT sector during the period 2016–2025, with a total increase of 435%.
- 1st in the EU in growth rate of the ICT sector for the period 2016–2025, with a total increase of 435%.
- 1st in the European Union in terms of the increase in ICT specialists during the same period.
These figures highlight Cyprus' transition to an economy where technology no longer functions as a complementary sector, but as a key pillar of growth, employment, productivity and international competitiveness.
TechIsland, as the institutional voice of the industry, continues to play a decisive role in shaping a modern, competitive and extroverted Cyprus, placing the country increasingly dynamically on the European and international technological map.
The 18th IN Business Awards are presented by European University Cyprus
Powered by Epic
Gold Sponsor Alpha Bank
Silver Sponsor Sklavenitis Supermarkets
Communication Sponsor Alpha TV
Organisers IMH and IN Business magazine
