Andrii Moroz (Unicorn.Events): “Cyprus is not just another location — It’s a strategic startup hub with global potential”

Andrii Moroz, the biggest global startup competition Unicorn.Events: “Cyprus is not just another location for us – it’s a strategic choice with huge long-term potential”
Unicorn.Events – the world’s largest startup pitch contest – has expanded to Cyprus for the first time, marking a new chapter in the island’s growing innovation story. With Limassol rapidly evolving into a dynamic hub for founders, investors, and tech talent, the decision to bring a global competition here reflects both the momentum of the local ecosystem and Cyprus’s ambitions on the international stage. We spoke with Andrii Moroz, Venture Partner at Network VC and one of the key drivers behind Unicorn Pitches Limassol, to understand why the organization chose Cyprus and how he sees the future of the island’s startup landscape.
Q1. Why did Unicorn.Events decide to host a pitch competition in Cyprus for the first time? What made Limassol an attractive location for a global startup event?
A:
We chose Cyprus because it’s one of the rare European ecosystems that is evolving faster than it is being noticed. Low taxes, a strong Mediterranean location, and clear government interest in innovation certainly help – but these advantages alone don’t create a true tech hub. What really matters to us is that Cyprus has reached an inflection point: there is significant talent and many ambitious initiatives, but they remain too fragmented. And when an ecosystem is fragmented, it cannot scale globally.
From what I’ve seen, Cyprus has everything needed to become a destination for global tech companies and investors. But to get there, the market needs more bridges – between founders, investors, institutions, government and communities. Unicorn.Events is essentially about building those bridges. We bring people together around ideas that have global potential, because global ambition is what unifies a young ecosystem better than anything else.
Limassol, in particular, already feels like a city where things are “in motion”: fast-paced, international, and full of people who are genuinely hungry to build. That’s exactly the type of environment where our events thrive. And that’s why Cyprus is not just another location for us – it’s a strategic choice with huge long-term potential.
Q2. What potential do you see for Cyprus in developing its innovation and startup ecosystem in the coming years?
A:
Cyprus has the potential to become one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems in Europe. The island already attracts tech companies, engineering teams, and founders who relocate here for its competitive taxes, international environment, and quality of life. But the real opportunity is that the ecosystem is still at an early stage – and early ecosystems can scale rapidly if the right conditions come together.
What Cyprus needs now is clearer access to early-stage capital, stronger coordination inside the community, and more streamlined processes for operating and growing companies. If these elements align, Cyprus can evolve from a convenient base into a strong platform for startups targeting global markets. Given the current momentum, this shift can happen much faster than many expect.
Q3. What impressed you the most about organizing the local event in Limassol?
A:
What impressed me most was the energy of the people. I felt I arrived in a place where everyone is actively building, where founders move fast and are genuinely open to collaboration. You rarely see such a concentration of motivated entrepreneurs in a small market – usually this atmosphere exists only in a few global tech cities.
Limassol showed that the startup ecosystem here is not just active; it’s ambitious and ready to grow. When you combine that mindset with investors, strong local partners, and a supportive environment, you get an ecosystem that can scale much faster than expected. That momentum was evident during the event – and it exceeded my expectations.
Q4. How do you assess the collaboration with the Cyprus Business Club as the local partner?
A:
Our collaboration with the Cyprus Business Club was one of the key reasons the event turned out so strongly. A global competition always needs a reliable partner on the ground – a team that understands how to build the local communities, has a strong network, and can move fast. Cyprus Business Club and the second partner, Reputation City, delivered exactly that.
Their teams helped us connect with the right people, navigate the local landscape, and build trust with founders and investors. Working together felt natural and efficient, and it’s clear they play an important role in shaping the business and tech community here. For a first event in a new market, having a partners like this makes all the difference.
Q5. How did the local business community respond to the invitation to become speakers, jury members, or partners of the event?
A:
The response from the local business community was very positive. People were genuinely open to joining as speakers, jury members, and partners, and many reacted quickly. You can feel that the startup ecosystem here is hungry for new opportunities and global exposure – and that creates a very collaborative environment.
What stood out to me is that professionals in Cyprus don’t just show interest; they actively participate. They want to meet founders, support new ideas, and connect with international investors. This level of engagement is a strong signal that the ecosystem is ready to grow and integrate more closely with global markets.
Q6. Did you feel that the Cypriot audience is interested in developing the tech sector and participating in global technological processes?
A:
Yes, absolutely. Over the past two years, I’ve spoken with many founders in Cyprus, and the pattern is very clear: people stay here because they see Cyprus as a place where you can build bridges – especially between Europe and the USA. The audience is not just curious about global tech trends; they want to be part of them.
Cyprus attracts entrepreneurs who think internationally, and this shapes the entire startup ecosystem. For startups with global products – especially SaaS or AI – Cyprus is a very strong base. The appetite for innovation is real, and the willingness to engage with global markets is one of the strongest advantages the island has today.
Q7. What are your personal impressions of the atmosphere at the venue during Unicorn Pitches Limassol?
A:
The atmosphere was exceptional. It felt like in California – a space full of people with sparkling eyes, who are genuinely eager to connect. There was a sense of momentum – the kind you usually see in much larger tech markets.
What stood out most was the natural interaction among founders, investors, and partners. The energy in the room showed that the startup ecosystem in Cyprus is not only growing but is already capable of hosting events with a truly international feel.
Q8. How do you assess the level of startups that applied for the competition and the teams that went on stage?
A:
Most of the startups were at an early stage, which is expected for a developing startup ecosystem. But the important point is that many already think globally and are actively seeking ways to engage with institutional investors. That mindset is a strong indicator of future growth.
Our role is to give these teams visibility and help them start building relationships with VCs. Early-stage teams rarely get immediate investment, but consistent communication with investors over time is what leads to real opportunities. Several projects showed solid potential, and with the right support, many of them can grow into strong international players.
Q9. Was the number of applications from Cyprus and international teams indicative for you in any way?
A:
Yes, it showed that Cyprus is already on the radar for both local and international founders. We received a strong number of applications for the first event, and the mix of Cypriot and global teams confirmed that the island is becoming an attractive entry point into the region.
For the local startup ecosystem, this is a good sign: it means founders see value in presenting their projects here, and international teams are willing to compete on the same stage. That level of interest is exactly what helps a young ecosystem integrate into the global startup network.
Q10. Which industries or technological solutions among the submitted startups stood out the most?
A:
Since the event focused on AI, it was natural that many of the most interesting solutions were in that space. Several teams worked on applied AI products with clear real-world use cases, and this direction is growing especially fast in Cyprus.
What I also pay attention to are non-obvious ideas – the ones that spark debate. These often have the greatest potential. Some projects targeted niche but promising markets, including tools for financial operations and automation. Overall, the diversity of AI-driven solutions showed that the local startup ecosystem is moving in the right direction and gradually forming its own strengths.
Q11. What, in your opinion, was the key success factor of this event, specifically in Limassol?
A:
The key success factor was the combination of strong local partners and a highly engaged community. When you bring global investors and your own network of judges, the event will naturally attract attention – but it works only if the local startup ecosystem is ready to respond. In Limassol, that alignment was clear from day one.
Our partners, the Cyprus Business Club and Reputation City, played an essential role in connecting us with the right people and ensuring strong market participation. This foundation allowed the event to feel both global and local at the same time – and that balance is what made it so successful.
Q12. Did Unicorn.Events achieve the goals they set when launching this event in Cyprus?
A:
Yes, absolutely. Our main goal is always to expand the community and strengthen local startup ecosystems by connecting them with global investors. Cyprus became the 56th country in our network, and the event fully met our expectations.
We engaged founders, attracted strong judges, and showcased local projects to an international audience. Most importantly, we created long-term visibility for Cyprus within the global startup community – and that impact continues well beyond the event itself.
Q13. What early results do you already see – for startups, investors, and partners?
A:
For startups, the first result is visibility – their projects are now in front of a global investor audience that regularly follows our platform. This increases their chances of receiving feedback, building relationships, and eventually raising capital.
For investors, the event provided curated deal flow and direct access to founders they wouldn’t meet otherwise. For our partners, such as Reputation City and Cyprus Business Club, it strengthened their international positioning.
Overall, every group received exactly what a young startup ecosystem needs: more exposure, more connections, and more opportunities to grow beyond the local market.
Q14. How do you think hosting Unicorn Pitches Limassol will influence Cyprus’s long-term positioning as a startup hub?
A:
By giving the island consistent visibility inside the global startup network. When international investors, founders, and partners see that strong projects are emerging here and that the community is active, Cyprus becomes more than just a convenient base – it becomes a place where meaningful opportunities can originate.
Each event attracts new attention, new deal flow, and new connections. Over time, this builds a reputation that a startup ecosystem cannot buy with marketing alone. If Cyprus continues to support these initiatives and connect its fragmented efforts, it can secure a strong position as a regional hub for global-minded startups.
Q15. What are the plans of Unicorn.Events for future events in Limassol and Cyprus in general? Can we expect an expanded format or new initiatives?
A:
Yes, Cyprus is now part of our long-term roadmap. We plan to hold several Unicorn Pitches events throughout the year, followed by meet-ups of up to 50 people that keep the community active between larger gatherings. These smaller events help founders and investors stay connected and build momentum inside the startup ecosystem.
Looking ahead, we are considering a much bigger annual event in Cyprus – similar to the large investment summits we host in San Francisco and soon in Switzerland. Preparing such a format takes about a year, but Cyprus has the potential to become one of these major locations. The more support we receive from the market and the government, the faster this vision will become a reality.