The five must-haves to attract and retain investors

Being the mind behind a bold idea is only the beginning. Turning that idea into a profitable business - one that will attract and keep its investors - takes planning, strategy, and the right partners.

At Baker Tilly South East Europe, with strong presence in Limassol and Nicosia, while backed by a global network, we guide you through the five core financial pillars that make your business investable. These are not just checkboxes. They are the building blocks of credibility, stability, and long-term growth.

Whether you’re a game developer, a tech startup, or a founder ready to scale, here’s what investors want to see and how we help you deliver it.

1. Solid Accounting

Accounting tells the story of what has already happened in your business in the past and it needs to be clear, accurate, and reliable.

To be taken seriously by investors, your numbers must follow internationally recognized accounting standards, be regularly updated, and professionally presented. Maintaining your accounting in Excel sheets filled with hope, is not sufficient in the modern age. Proper accounting provides a solid, comparable foundation for decision-making. That’s where we come in: we offer expert, standards-based bookkeeping using modern tools, tailored to your growth stage.

1. A Smart Tax Structure

“Tax” may be the one of the most complicated words in today’s global economy – however, startups often overlook how important a solid tax framework is.

Cyprus offers unique advantages, such as the Intellectual Property Box Regime, particularly relevant for game developers and startups creating innovative digital products. To make the most out of it, you need a specialist who can guide you through both the application process and its practical implementation.

Indirect taxes, VAT rules, digital taxes and international payroll taxes - for remote workers, freelancer programmers, developers and other work setups across jurisdictions - require careful planning to minimise risks and navigate complexities.

Our experienced tax team will help you plan and structure your activities efficiently, stay compliant, and make the most out of any incentives you can utilise.

1. Credible, Transparent Audit

Audits aren’t just for large companies - they’re for the serious ones. Having audited financials, even if not legally required, sends a powerful message that as a company, you are transparent and ready for the future, while your audited financial figures support your story up to date.

Audits provide assurance on a company’s past activities, financial performance and position. Our audit process involves collaboration and open communication between our team and our clients - preparing you from day one on what you will be required from you and what to expect from us at every step.

1. Forecasts That Tell the Real Story

Investors want to know not just where you’ve been, but most importantly where you want to go. That’s why robust financial forecasts - that reflect your ambitions and market realities - are essential.

You are the ones who hold the vision and drive the journey - we are the ones who will help you bring it to life on paper through reliable data, assumptions and robust financial models. Forecasts tell the story about your future - they are tested over time and are refined against actual results. Reliable forecasting builds credibility and demonstrates strategic thinking.

1. An Advisory Partner That Grows With You

Even the best ideas need structure, strategy, and support. The right advisory partner speaks your language, cutting through jargon to help you understand both simple and complex matters, from setting up a local company and structuring your share capital correctly to building sustainable, ESG-aligned principles, scaling your business to its full potential.

We combine technical expertise with human-centered communication. With a strong presence in Limassol, we work side-by-side with local and international founders, developers, investors, businesses, transforming visions into clear, actionable steps.

Meet us at Reflect Festival

We’ll be there to meet the doers, the innovators, the risk-takers, the ones building the future.

We work alongside startups, game developers, and tech scale-ups from day one, offering hands-on support across accounting, tax, audit, forecasting, and strategic advisory. With our deep knowledge of the Cyprus ecosystem and access to international expertise, we help you stay focused on your goals, while we manage the complexity.

Let’s connect. Now, for tomorrow.

• By Nicole Stavrinidou, Audit Director, Assurance Services στην Baker Tilly South East Europe