From New York to Cyprus: Building Technology, Capital, and Vision

Andreas Panayi’s career reflects the journey of a Cypriot entrepreneur who built a long and impactful path abroad, contributing meaningfully to the evolution of technology and digital transformation.

Cypriots Abroad -interview originally published in InBusiness magazine as part of its 20th.

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Arriving in the United States in 1981 initially to pursue his studies, Andreas decided to remain after completing his MBA and went on to build his life and career in New York. In the late 1980s—well before the internet became mainstream—he was already working in the communications sector, standing out for his ability to understand and practically apply emerging technologies at a time when few could.

By combining technical knowledge with strategic thinking and strong communication skills, Andreas quickly moved into leadership roles. As president of a business unit involved in the acquisition of a California-based technology company, he played an active role in introducing two technologies that would fundamentally change how the world operates: email and the internet. This work placed him at the forefront of early digital transformation efforts, collaborating with major organizations such as IBM, Chrysler, AT&T, and even the White House to help integrate internet technologies into their operations.

He later founded the first international digital communications company of its kind, with offices across key global markets—from London and Tokyo to Latin America and Asia. Reflecting on that period, Andreas describes it as one of intense experimentation and learning, more revolutionary than evolutionary. His journey then led him into private investments, where he gained deep insight into venture capital, before founding Kinisis, which resulted in a successful exit in 2015. This was followed by the creation of TKI, a global software engineering and artificial intelligence consultancy.

In 2018, Andreas founded Kinisis Ventures with a clear vision: to bring the network, expertise, and experience he had built in the United States back to Cyprus and the wider region. While he openly acknowledges the cultural and business differences between the U.S. and Europe—as well as the challenges around embracing high-risk venture investing—he remains optimistic about the direction of the ecosystem. For Andreas, successful investing is rooted in close collaboration between investors and founders, adaptability, and continuous learning, often shaped through failure.

Although he continues to reside in the United States, Andreas is actively building a new entrepreneurial presence in Cyprus. He believes that as long as there are capable, ambitious people and a supportive ecosystem, meaningful opportunities will continue to emerge. Entrepreneurship, in his view, is not something that can be learned purely in theory—it must be experienced, tested, and forged through both success and failure.

Source & Credits

This blog post is adapted from an interview originally published in InBusiness magazine as part of its 20th Anniversary issue. All editorial credit belongs to InBusiness and the original author.