33East: Pioneering Cyprus’ Startup Revolution With €26M Venture Fund

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 23, 2025

33East, a Cyprus-based venture capital firm, has officially launched its first fund, securing an initial close of €26 million. Focused on pre-seed and seed-stage startups with ties to Cyprus, the fund aims to catalyze the island’s evolution into a hub for innovation and entrepreneurial growth.

This milestone is particularly significant as 33East is the first VC fund in Cyprus to secure support from the European Investment Fund (EIF). The EIF’s backing, facilitated through the Government of Cyprus and the National Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF), is complemented by contributions from the Bank of Cyprus and leading local investors, marking a transformative moment for the nation’s startup landscape.

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The fund’s initial €26 million pool consists of €19 million from the Cyprus Equity Fund (CEF)—a program aligned with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan—and €7 million from private investors, including a notable €2 million from the Bank of Cyprus.

33East plans to invest in early-stage startups, with initial funding between €500,000 and €1 million per company. Additionally, the fund has set aside €2.5 million for an acceleration program to nurture entrepreneurs in the earliest phases of their ventures.

The firm is founded by seasoned experts Demetrios Zoppos and Yiannis Eftychiou and benefits from its leaders’ wealth of experience. Zoppos, a veteran entrepreneur and angel investor, brings over 25 years of expertise in early-stage technology ventures. Eftychiou, with his background in venture capital, has worked with high-growth companies across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Their shared vision for Cyprus as a burgeoning tech and innovation hub drives the fund’s mission. “Cyprus is brimming with potential for entrepreneurs,” said Zoppos in an interview with CNA. “Our goal at 33East is to provide not just capital but also the guidance and networks founders need to create scalable businesses.”

Eftychiou echoed this sentiment: “We’re not just funding startups; we’re building partnerships. We’re here for founders with bold ambitions to scale internationally, offering them optimism, support, and unwavering commitment to their success.”Startups interested in collaborating with 33East or learning more are encouraged to connect with the team via their website: www.33east.vc.

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Cyprus Ranks Among The EU’s Fastest-Growing Populations In 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 22, 2026

Cyprus Emerges As A Demographic Outlier In Europe

Cyprus recorded one of the fastest-growing populations in the European Union in 2025, according to the latest Eurostat data. With population growth of 13.7 per 1,000 inhabitants, the island ranked second among the bloc’s 27 member states, behind only Malta (24.1) and ahead of Luxembourg (13.1).

The figures set Cyprus apart at a time when much of Europe is facing ageing populations, declining birth rates and mounting labour shortages.

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A Different Demographic Story

Population growth across the EU remained modest in 2025, increasing by just 1.6 per 1,000 people. The picture, however, was far from uniform. Sixteen member states recorded population gains, while eleven experienced declines.

Malta, Cyprus and Luxembourg posted the strongest growth rates, while Latvia (-8.3), Estonia (-6.8) and Hungary (-5.4) recorded the steepest population losses.

As of January 1, 2026, Cyprus had a population of 996,600. While one of the EU’s smallest member states, it continues to outperform many larger economies on demographic growth.

Growth Driven By Births And Migration

Cyprus stands out because its population is expanding through both natural increase and migration, a combination that has become increasingly uncommon across Europe.

The country was one of only six EU member states where births exceeded deaths in 2025, joining Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta and Sweden. Across the EU as a whole, the opposite was true: 4.81 million deaths were recorded against 3.46 million births, leaving the bloc with a natural population decline of roughly 1.35 million people.

Migration more than compensated for that shortfall. Net migration added around 2.05 million people across the EU in 2025, reinforcing its role as the bloc’s primary source of population growth.

Cyprus ranked among the strongest performers here as well. Net migration reached 11.3 people per 1,000 inhabitants, trailing only Malta (23.9) and Spain (11.8).

Why The Numbers Matter

Demographic trends increasingly shape economic performance. Population growth influences labour supply, consumer demand and the long-term sustainability of pension systems and public finances.

For most European countries, migration has become essential to offset declining birth rates. Cyprus is unusual because it combines strong inward migration with positive natural population growth, giving it a demographic profile that few EU members currently share.

Whether that advantage translates into stronger long-term economic performance will depend on how effectively the country integrates new residents, expands its workforce and converts population growth into higher productivity.

As Europe searches for ways to sustain growth despite an ageing population, Cyprus offers an early example of how demographic resilience can become an economic advantage.

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