Welcome to the Leader’s Insights, a place where The Future, asks the simplest, yet, the most interesting questions to the executives of well-known companies, startups and innovators.
Today we talk with Frixos Larkos, the Founder & CEO of Crowdbase, the first regulated equity crowdfunding platform in Cyprus, serving startups and innovative real estate projects. Since its inception, Crowdbase has successfully funded four projects and raised more than €1.5M through its platform.
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Larkos has a background in corporate finance and investment banking, and he holds a Master’s degree in Financial Analysis from London Business School and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Surrey.
Under his leadership, Crowdbase has become a pioneering platform that democratizes investment opportunities by allowing everyday investors to participate in the growth of startups, innovative small-medium enterprises, and socially impactful real estate projects. Since its launch in 2022, Crowdbase has successfully raised over €1 million for various ventures, marking a significant milestone in the development of Cyprus’s crowdfunding ecosystem. Frixos is known for his commitment to transparency, innovation, and fostering entrepreneurship in the region.
Let’s see what Larkos has to say…
1. Do you remember your first day on the job at Crowdbase?
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact start date at Crowdbase since we began working remotely. However, I do remember our first day in the office, which was actually an old boardroom turned into a workspace. I was full of excitement and eager to dive into the unknown. Looking back now, my initial expectations of what Crowdbase would be like were completely different from reality.
2. What is more difficult: being interviewed to join a team or doing the interviews yourself?
Conducting interviews yourself would be more challenging for me. As the interviewer, you need to study and prepare to ask the right questions, which are crucial for the hiring process. Additionally, hiring is a significant decision, especially for a new company, as it can have a major impact on the business.
3. What do you most value in your employees?
The most valuable skill an employee can have is the ability to take initiative, put effort into their work, and confidently share their opinions.
4. Which is a motto/quote you use in your work?
“Grateful but unsatisfied”
5. If you were back to the start, what would you advise yourself for a great career?
Reflecting on my experience, I’ve realized that I really enjoy coding and wish I had spent more time learning it. While I’ve become familiar with front-end frameworks like React, I often find myself wanting to expand my skills and do even more in that area.
6. How do you pump up your creativity?
Creativity comes in many forms, from UI design to feature development. I enjoy exploring new tools, often from startups in Y Combinator, to gain inspiration from how they tackle their challenges.
7. How do you balance work and personal life?
During the first two years of building Crowdbase, like with any startup, I had to make significant personal sacrifices to establish a strong foundation. Recently, however, my fiancée has helped me adopt a more balanced approach to work and life, which although might sound counterintuitive, it has in turn increased my productivity.
8. What are the top five foods you like in Cyprus?
- Sausage,
- Halloumi,
- Souvlakia,
- Souvla,
- Kleftiko.
9. Can you name your top five favourite places in Cyprus?
- Episkopeio, my village,
- Pissouri,
- Old town Nicosia,
- Akamas and Blue Lagoon,
- Agros village.
10. Which personality, throughout history, do you admire most?
Since I was little, I’ve always admired Bill Gates. Initially, it was for the wrong reasons—I was a big fan of my original Xbox. However, as I grew older, I came to appreciate him for his brilliant entrepreneurial spirit and his philanthropic efforts.
11. Who is your favourite author/book that helped your career?
Although it might seem contradictory to what we’re doing with Crowdbase in early-stage investments, ‘The Intelligent Investor’ by Benjamin Graham heavily influences my investment decisions. Even in the venture industry, where valuation techniques are often less strict, his principles still guide my approach.
12. Where would you advise our readers to go in the summer?
Cyprus has a lot to offer in the summer, but I would recommend exploring alternative destinations beyond Ayia Napa and Protaras. For a beach getaway, Pissouri is a great choice, and for a cooler escape, the mountainous areas like Platres are ideal.
