cyprus it — cyprus it — A small weekly meetup launched in Limassol in 2017 has evolved into a significant global community within the tech sector, known as Cyprus_iT. Over the past nine years, this initiative has recorded more than 40,000 visits across its events, marking it as one of Cyprus’ largest recurring tech and business networking communities.
Initially founded as an informal gathering for IT specialists, Cyprus_iT has expanded its scope to encompass a wider platform that addresses technology, startups, business, and networking. The community has hosted more than 444 weekly meetups in Limassol since its inception, welcoming over 9,450 unique participants from more than 3,020 companies.
The format of these gatherings is a key component of their success; organisers emphasise a simple open-access approach, contrasting with traditional conferences and corporate business events. This inclusive environment has allowed the community to flourish, with weekly meetings sustained for nine consecutive years and remaining accessible to anyone interested in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Cyprus_iT has not only fostered professional networking but has also become a vital support mechanism for international professionals and their families relocating to Cyprus. The community aids newcomers in establishing personal and professional connections while helping them navigate the local business and social landscape. This includes providing essential information on the Cyprus job market, employment prospects, and immigration procedures, thereby simplifying the adaptation process for specialists moving from abroad.
For companies operating in Cyprus, the initiative serves as an additional recruitment channel, connecting businesses with qualified professionals. The organisers believe that Cyprus_iT contributes significantly to strengthening the island’s reputation as a desirable destination for international tech talent.
In addition to physical networking events, the community has successfully transitioned into a large online ecosystem. More than 146,000 participants are now engaged through various online channels and discussions centred around Cyprus-related technology and business topics.
The founder of the initiative, Oleg Reshetnikov, relocated to Cyprus in 2014 and has played a pivotal role in enhancing the local technology landscape through community building and public speaking. His involvement in the tech scene gained significant recognition when he represented a Cyprus-based networking project at the Web Summit in 2019.
The initiatives stemming from Cyprus_iT have garnered attention in several international media outlets, including DER SPIEGEL, El País, RFI, and The Washington Post. The community continues to grow through additional projects like DeepTech CY in Nicosia, which unites researchers, developers, scientists, students, startups, investors, and government representatives around themes of innovation and deep technology.
