Our investors, better known as Business Angels, are high net worth individuals who invest on their own, or as part of a syndicate, in high growth businesses. In addition to money, Business Angels often make their own skills, experiences, and contacts available to the company. The majority of CYBAN’s Business Angels make investments for financial reasons. However, there are also other motives for investing; for example, taking an active part in the entrepreneurial process, and the enjoyment of reliving the thrills of entrepreneurship through the mentoring process of young startup teams.
At CYBAN we take the leg work out of looking for exciting companies, and are a quality, rather than quantity network. We provide our investors with expertly screened deal flow, selecting the 15 most innovative businesses from the 100+ business plans we will review each year.
"CYBAN initiative has offered a great opportunity to young and promising Cypriot entrepreneurs in joining hands with Cypriot angel investors. The road to the creation of a start-up cluster in Cyprus is now open. This can contribute in retaining innovative and talented people here and in placing Cyprus on the world innovation map"
Alexandros Jacovides, President of the BOD and Founding member at Genesis Pharma
“CYBAN is doing a fine job for both the project promoters and the potential investors. Meetings for project presentations are well organized and there is good follow-up support for interested investors.”
Pantis Papaloizou, Managing Director at C.G. Papaloisou Ltd
“CYBAN is a unique experience both for investors looking to invest in startups as well as entrepreneurs looking for seed capital. In addition to great networking opportunities, I enjoy interacting with promising entrepreneurs and meeting passionate people who wish to make a difference.”
Shavasb Bohdjalian, CEO Eurivex Ltd., regulated Cyprus Investment Firm
“CYBAN's professional approach has been very helpful in locating startups that are ready to invest in. Andreas is very knowledgeable and the fellow Angels are courteous and friendly.”
Marios Xenophontos, Fileminders Ltd & Managing Director at Venture Space Ltd
“CYBAN has been one of the major players in the development of the Cyprus startup eco-system. Being one of the first members of CYBAN I can justify that hard work brings great results. From the investors perspective, I have been impressed by the high standard of the presentations, as well as by the great flow of new startups that has been provided to us throughout the last couple of years in which we have invested in some of them.“
Nearchos Petrides, Executive Officer at Ellinas Finance Public Company Limited
“Demetra Investments Public Ltd is one of the very first corporate members of CYBAN and I have participated in most of the CYBAN networking and company presentations events. I am very impressed by both the quality of the deal flow as well as the professional approach of CYBAN in following up the negotiation process, supporting the investors in making the right investment decisions. I believe that CYBAN is an exciting initiative that brings together investors and entrepreneurs with great ideas.”
Nicos Michaelas, CEO at Demetra Investments Public Ltd
If you are new to angel investing, you can learn a great deal by investing alongside more experienced CYBAN investors. In addition, CYBAN offers regular investment workshops to all its members to ensure that all investors have the necessary skills required for successful angel investing. CYBAN welcomes both experienced and new investors to join the network, providing unrivalled service for all. CYBAN organizes several angel investing workshops every year, where experienced investors from EBAN and GBAN share their knowledge and experiences with CYBAN members.
CYBAN’s deal sourcing can be both proactive and reactive. Most of our deal sourcing comes directly from interested startup teams, but also through our members, and through their networks and interactions with other players in the ecosystem. The wide and varied nature of the companies expected to present to the network will allow our investors to leverage not only their financial capital but also their intellectual capital through both executive and non-executive positions.
CYBAN played an instrumental role in Cyprus’ Income Tax law amendment, which introduces a tax relief for investors in qualifying small and medium sized innovative enterprises, including startups. It allows independent investors in such enterprises to deduct the cost of the investment from their taxable income for the year in which the investment is made. The deduction is limited to 50 percent of taxable income for the year or €150,000, whichever is less. Any cost above the 50 percent limit may be carried forward for deduction against taxable income of subsequent years, subject to a 50 percent limit, for a maximum of five years. In order to qualify for relief, the investor must retain the investment for at least three years.
