Cyprus: The tech hub for Israeli companies looking to access EU markets

What we covered

In this Bridger Learn webinar, BridgerPay CEO Ran Cohen and Christos Malikkidis from Royal Pine discussed the strategic advantages of launching and scaling startups in Cyprus. They shared personal journeys of building successful companies on the island, emphasizing Cyprus as a growing tech and business hub. Christos highlighted how Royal Pine evolved from six employees to a 25-person legal and financial advisory firm, offering end-to-end support for startups, from incorporation and banking to fund administration and tax planning. Ran walked through BridgerPay's journey from a two-person startup to a 60+ person FinTech company operating in 180 countries and processing over $1 billion per month. The speakers explored how Cyprus offers a business-friendly environment with benefits like 12.5% corporate tax, 0% tax on dividends, a competitive IP regime, and personal tax breaks for high-skilled employees earning over €55,000.

They also discussed new government policies that allow 100% of a startup's staff to relocate to Cyprus, plus simplified procedures for permits and employment. Cyprus was described as ideal for founders seeking a stable, EU-based jurisdiction with access to top-tier tech talent, global fund connections, and low overhead. Attendees asked about relocating with spouses, hiring international talent, and forming entities in other jurisdictions. The conversation emphasized Cyprus as a lifestyle destination with modern infrastructure and tax incentives that support growth from day one. The event closed with an invitation for startups to explore Cyprus firsthand and contribute to a growing innovation ecosystem. The webinar summary is complete and now saved in the document titled "Cyprus Startup Webinar." Let me know if you'd like versions for email, social posts, or the Bridger website.