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Ghost Angels: Snap Alumni Launch Fund To Accelerate Social Media Innovation

A cohort of 20 former Snap executives and innovators has united to introduce Ghost Angels, a new investment fund targeting the future of social media. The fund, which has already supported five companies and plans to invest in at least 15 more over the coming year, remains discreet about its total capital raised.

Strategic Formation And Diverse Expertise

Founded in 2025 by former Snap global partnerships executive and current Microsoft AI executive Max Rivera, Ghost Angels brings together approximately 20 former Snap leaders, operators and founders. Among the founding members are Alexandra Levitt, who previously led Snap’s corporate accelerator, and former Snap product and design leader Will Wu. The fund aims to leverage the operational and product expertise of its members to support early-stage founders building consumer technology companies.

Redefining Social Media Dynamics

Rivera argues that social media is entering a new phase, with platforms increasingly separating content distribution from community building. Rather than relying solely on advertising-driven business models, many emerging startups are experimenting with subscriptions, usage-based pricing, tokenized economies and other alternative monetization strategies. According to Rivera, smaller teams are also able to launch and iterate products more quickly, creating opportunities for new entrants to challenge established platforms.

Embracing AI-Driven Innovation

Ghost Angels is primarily targeting pre-seed and seed-stage AI startups focused on consumer and social applications. The fund believes artificial intelligence can reshape how users discover content, interact with communities and create digital experiences. Support from former Snap executives is particularly valuable for founders navigating challenges around engagement, product design and platform growth, Rivera said.

Future-Forward Strategies

Alongside investments in AI-powered social products, Ghost Angels is backing companies developing AI-native content formats and creative tools across industries, including music, gaming, sports and fashion. The fund sees generative AI as a way to lower barriers to content creation and distribution while enabling new forms of digital engagement. Its investment strategy reflects broader shifts across the technology sector, where entrepreneurs are increasingly building specialized communities and niche platforms rather than competing directly with large social networks.

Cyprus Hotels See Gradual Booking Recovery Amid Summer Uncertainty

The Cyprus hotel industry is experiencing a cautious rebound in booking activity, though current figures remain below seasonal expectations. Thanos Michaelides, Chairman of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association (Pasyxe), highlighted the ongoing challenges during recent remarks, noting that May’s performance fell short of potential while forecasting a similar trend for June.

Booking Trends And Seasonal Impact

Reservation activity has picked up in recent months, yet the gap created by the slowdown in March has not been fully recovered. According to Michaelides, May underperformed relative to expectations, while June is expected to follow a similar pattern. The sector is now looking to stronger demand in the coming weeks to support occupancy during the peak summer months. A continued increase in last-minute bookings could help improve performance in July and August, which traditionally represent the busiest period of the tourism season.

Monitoring Developments For Summer Forecasting

Pasyxe continues to closely monitor booking trends and market developments as hoteliers assess prospects for the remainder of the summer. “We need to monitor the situation constantly to have a more correct forecast of how the summer season will develop,” Michaelides said. The association expects booking patterns over the next few weeks to provide a clearer picture of demand for the peak holiday period.

Market Dynamics And Strategic Responses

Demand from Israel is beginning to recover, offering a potential boost to Cyprus’ tourism sector. Michaelides noted that the Israeli market has historically responded quickly to changing conditions and could contribute to stronger occupancy levels if current trends continue. To support demand, many hotels have introduced additional discounts for tour operators and domestic travelers, aiming to remain competitive while encouraging new reservations.

The Role Of Human Capital In Tourism

Alongside demand concerns, the sector continues to face workforce challenges. Michaelides welcomed government support measures introduced in April to help businesses address staffing shortages and operational pressures. He emphasized that service quality remains one of Cyprus’ key competitive advantages, arguing that skilled personnel continue to play a central role in shaping the visitor experience and supporting the island’s tourism industry.


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