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Bank of Cyprus Responds to Revolut’s Expansion in Cyprus

The Bank of Cyprus has issued a response to the growing influence of Revolut within the Cypriot market. Revolut, a prominent fintech company, has rapidly expanded its services in Cyprus, attracting a significant customer base with its innovative digital banking solutions. The Bank of Cyprus acknowledges the competition but remains confident in its established position, emphasising its comprehensive range of services, local expertise, and deep-rooted customer relationships as key advantages over newer digital-only competitors.

This situation underscores the evolving dynamics in Cyprus’ banking sector, where traditional institutions are increasingly challenged by agile, tech-driven entrants like Revolut. The Bank of Cyprus’ response highlights the ongoing battle between established banks and fintech companies, each vying to capture and retain a digitally-savvy customer base. This development is a significant example of the broader trend of digital disruption in the financial services industry, which is reshaping how banks operate and interact with their customers.

In this competitive landscape, the Bank of Cyprus is expected to leverage its strong local presence, regulatory knowledge, and diversified service offerings to maintain its market position against the rising influence of Revolut and similar fintech players. However, as digital banking continues to gain traction, traditional banks will need to innovate and adapt to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world.

Revaia Closes €250M Growth Fund To Fuel European And Israeli Startups

Revaia, Europe’s largest all-women-led venture capital firm, has successfully closed its second growth fund at €250 million, over a year after securing the first €150 million tranche. Founded in 2019 by Elina Berrebi and Alice Albizzati, the Paris-based VC firm focuses on scaling European and Israeli startups in their Series B stages and beyond.

The firm, which has already backed prominent companies like Algolia, now valued at $2.3 billion, and cloud call center Aircall, follows a sector-agnostic approach but gravitates toward B2B companies that prioritize sustainability. Revaia ensures its investments meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, from energy usage to workplace relations and governance practices.

The new €250M fund, designed to back 12 companies, will allocate investments between €10 million and €30 million, with a third of the capital reserved for follow-on investments and M&A opportunities. Six investments have already been made, signaling the fund’s active deployment.

Overcoming A Tough Market

Despite a challenging fundraising environment, Revaia’s track record convinced investors to commit to the new fund. Albizzati points out that their portfolio companies have grown on average 4x since their initial investments. “Fundraising is in slow motion,” she admits, but she adds that platforms like Revaia, with proven performance, continue to stand out in a market dominated by a few big players.

The last year saw large global VC firms like Balderton and Index raising funds in the billions. Nevertheless, Revaia’s backing from key investors such as the French public bank Bpifrance, as well as new LPs like JP Morgan, the European Investment Fund (EIF), and BNP Paribas Cardif, illustrates strong institutional confidence. Revaia’s international LP base has also grown, now comprising 30% of the fund, with notable European and US backers.

Political Shifts And European Growth

Despite global challenges, Albizzati believes that recent political shifts, particularly the US’s ‘America First’ rhetoric under former President Donald Trump, have reinforced the need for more European capital. “Our thesis has always been that Europe needs more late-stage and growth funds to support companies, especially as they scale,” she says. “The current political context validates this need even more.”

With its growing presence and commitment to backing sustainable growth, Revaia is positioning itself as a key player in Europe’s venture capital landscape, navigating an increasingly polarized market with a clear focus on building local champions.

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