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Demetra Holdings Plc Posts €132.5 Million Profit in 2024 Amid Strategic Execution and Economic Resilience

Robust Financial Results and Strategic Leadership

At its annual general meeting on June 24, Demetra Holdings Plc announced a profit of €132.5 million for 2024. Acting chairman Nearchos Ioannou acknowledged the unwavering support of shareholders, emphasizing that the company’s strong performance reflects years of disciplined execution and a strategic focus that has established it as the largest listed investment company on the regulated Cyprus Stock Exchange.

Steady Growth in a Volatile Global Environment

Ioannou detailed how Demetra maintained its upward momentum despite the ongoing global economic and geopolitical uncertainties. Focusing on the domestic economy, he noted that Cyprus posted one of the highest growth rates in the eurozone at 3.4 percent, driven primarily by a renaissance in tourism, vigorous domestic consumption, and expansive growth in the services and technology sectors.

Macroeconomic Trends and Future Outlook

Highlighting other key economic indicators, Ioannou pointed out that inflation moderated to 2.2 percent and unemployment fell to 4.6 percent by the fourth quarter. A fiscal surplus of 4.3 percent also contributed to a reduction in public debt to 65 percent of GDP. Looking ahead, he forecast stable growth of around 3 percent in 2025, with inflation remaining near 2.2 percent. Strength in net exports, especially within the services sector, along with accelerated investment activity fueled by EU Recovery and Resilience funds, underpin the optimistic outlook.

Risks and Strategic Responses

Despite the positive trends, Ioannou cautioned against emerging challenges. Warnings from OECD and IMF regarding global growth deceleration and risks of an overheated domestic economy were acknowledged. Concerns about public spending pressures and elevated non-performing loans within credit-acquiring institutions also persist, potentially constraining domestic capital mobilisation. Additionally, the high concentration in the banking sector poses competitive challenges that require attention.

Investment Milestones and Future Development

Reviewing the company’s financial journey, Ioannou recounted the successful exit from a long-standing investment in Hellenic Bank—a decision that, over 12 years, yielded a compounded annual return of 19.7 percent. Although the profits reported in 2024 do not include realised gains, the sale of Hellenic Bank shares in February 2025 further bolstered the company’s financial profile. With net assets rising by 35.9 percent to €499.8 million, Demetra now stands on a robust footing to navigate its next phase of growth.

Maintaining Commitment to Long-Term Value Creation

In closing, Ioannou reaffirmed Demetra’s commitment to building long-term value. He stressed the necessity for adaptability, flexibility, and transparency in the face of ongoing global challenges, including geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and energy price volatility. As Demetra continues to refine its forward-planning and investment strategy, the company remains determined to support both consumer and business interests, underpinning its strategic vision for the future.

An Entrepreneurial Revolution: Harnessing AI To Democratize Million-Dollar Ventures

Henrik Werdelin, the startup strategist behind major brands like Barkbox through his former venture Prehype, is now spearheading a groundbreaking approach to entrepreneurship with his New York-based firm Audos. His vision leverages artificial intelligence to scale the startup process from tens of ventures to hundreds of thousands, empowering everyday entrepreneurs to develop million-dollar AI companies without requiring technical expertise.

Democratizing Business Expertise

Audos represents a significant shift in the entrepreneurial landscape. Rather than focusing solely on tech founders aiming for multi-million-dollar funding and billion-dollar exits, Audos is designed to transfer decades of startup know-how to a broader audience. “We are taking all that knowledge and methodology and democratizing it,” Werdelin explained, highlighting a commitment to empowering individuals who might otherwise feel excluded from the high-stakes tech ecosystem.

Leveraging AI For Rapid Validation And Customer Acquisition

Utilizing advanced AI capabilities, Audos guides entrepreneurs through a streamlined process: identifying business challenges, testing market viability, and connecting with niche customers via sophisticated social media algorithms. This approach not only minimizes risk but also accelerates the time it takes for new ventures to secure sustainable customer acquisition, a critical factor in ensuring long-term success.

A Revenue-Share Model With A Distinct Value Proposition

In contrast to traditional accelerators and venture capital, Audos adopts a revenue-sharing model. The firm takes a 15% cut of revenue from the companies it helps launch—rather than equity—while providing founders with up to $25,000 in initial funding, cutting-edge AI business tools, and substantial support in distribution. Werdelin emphasizes, “We’re not taking any equity in these ventures because we believe in the long-term strength of grassroots entrepreneurship, not in high-stakes exits.”

Strong Investment Backing And Bold Future Prospects

Backed by prominent investors such as True Ventures, Offline Venture, and Bungalow Capital, Audos has already seen the launch of several hundred businesses since its beta introduction. Investors express confidence in the model’s potential to scale dramatically, drawing parallels to the early days of Instagram’s meteoric rise with minimal staff yet exponential growth prospects.

Redefining The Landscape Of Entrepreneurship

Werdelin’s ambition extends far beyond individual success stories. With a vision of catalyzing a trillion-dollar economic shift, Audos is set to transform how traditional entrepreneurs employ AI to build and sustain business ventures. In an era marked by economic distractions and career uncertainty, this model of democratized entrepreneurship is not only innovative—it is rapidly becoming essential.

Ultimately, Audos offers a compelling blueprint for the future of business creation—one where accessible AI tools and strategic revenue-sharing can turn everyday ideas into impactful, life-changing enterprises.

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