Theme: Local Legends - From Passion to Change

Cyprus has its own TEDx Talk! In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, independent events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TEDxMolos is an official TEDx Talk in Cyprus, an annual TED-licensed event, a dynamic celebration fostering the local Limassol and overall Cyprus community.

It’s a unique blend of ideas, inspiration, and community spirit, set against the stunning backdrop of Limassol’s Old Port, where Molos embankment begins.

TEDxMolos is an evening of immersion into the stories, performances, and innovations that are already shaping the reality and future of our community. TEDxMolos is an inspirational space for building meaningful connections with like-minded individuals, like any other TEDx Talk in the world.

In 2024, the theme of our Cyprus TEDx Talk, "Local Legends: From Passion to Change", serves as a rallying call for the power inherent in small steps, local initiatives, and the collective passion that fuels transformative action.

Plevsis Hall
Πλατεία Παλιού Λιμανιού, Limassol
Limassol, Lemesos, 3042
Cyprus

Dr. Marianna Prokopi-Demetriades

Dr. Marianna Prokopi-Demetriades stands at the forefront of biotechnology innovation. As a trailblazing inventor and entrepreneur, she has co-founded three biotech companies that have garnered recognition from Deloitte for their groundbreaking impact. RSL Revolutionary Labs Ltd, established in 2018, develops dermaceuticals to alleviate the skin side effects associated with cancer therapies. In 2017, she co-launched Promed Bioscience Ltd, which is at the cutting edge of 3D-atelocollagen for bioprinting artificial organs. Theramir Ltd, founded in 2016, combines nanotechnology and microRNAs to pioneer precision cancer therapies. Her role extends to academia as a Clinical Associate Professor in Research Oncology, where her research contributes to revolutionizing personalized cancer treatments and significantly enhancing patient care on a global scale. A recipient of the Forbes 20WomenInTech Award Cyprus 2023 and the TechIsland Award Rising Star 2023, Dr. Prokopi-Demetriades's work has been widely celebrated. In 2022, she was honored with the King’s Distinguished Alumni Award in STEM, reflecting her educational roots at King’s College London and her significant contributions to the field. The Republic of Cyprus recognized her as the Young Researcher Award in Life Sciences 2021, and she received the Madame Figaro Woman of the Year in Innovation Award in 2020. Her influence extends beyond the lab; she holds the prestigious CIM Honorary Fellow title from the Cyprus Institute of Marketing, acknowledging her significant economic impact on the region. Committed to continuous professional development, she has further enriched her leadership skills with Executive Education in Transformational Leadership from the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School in 2023. Dr. Prokopi-Demetriades's dedication to societal advancement is evident in her participation on esteemed boards such as the ENAVSMA Foundation and the ICC Women Network Cyprus. Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators shines through her active mentoring roles with ARIS/Deloitte, JA Junior Achievement Cyprus, the AIPFE Cyprus/Women of Europe, The STEAM Academy, Falling Walls Female Science Talents, and the King’s Leadership Mentoring Programme. In the past year, Dr. Prokopi-Demetriades led her team to secure a landmark 3 million euros in corporate venture capital funding. This investment has enabled the creation of a state-of-the-art biotech hub within Limassol's ASBIS Hi-tech Cluster. This hub is a center of excellence, integrating research and development, testing, marketing, manufacturing, and operations, and serves as a collaborative incubator for specialized biotech firms. With a clear vision of global expansion, Dr. Prokopi-Demetriades and her team are dedicated to developing innovative solutions that are set to redefine the biotech industry.

Nataliia Miranchuk

Nataliia Miranchuk is a passionate advocate for maternal health and support, boasting over 15 years of dedicated experience in this field. Her journey began with the introduction of newborn photography to former Soviet countries, where she swiftly recognized the profound need for emotional guidance and assistance among new parents and families embarking on their parenting journey. Drawing upon her extensive interactions with over 3500 newborns and their families, Nataliia spearheaded various educational initiatives across Belarus, Lithuania, Milan, and Miami, collaborating closely with esteemed organizations like UNFPA and USAID. Amidst the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Nataliia embraced online education as a means to ensure uninterrupted support for pregnant individuals, particularly when access to traditional healthcare facilities became limited. Leveraging technological advancements, she and her team swiftly developed an innovative educational platform tailored to address the diverse needs of expectant mothers, birthing individuals, and new parents. Within a mere two years, this platform garnered a staggering user base of over 250,000 women, underscoring Nataliia's unwavering commitment to providing accessible and reliable support during pivotal life transitions. Nataliia's personal journey as a mother deeply informs her professional endeavors. Confronting infertility during her teenage years, she turned to mindfulness practices and yoga to overcome this obstacle and eventually fulfill her dream of motherhood. Despite encountering postpartum depression following the departure of her partner, Nataliia's resilience, fortified by a robust support network and her unwavering determination, enabled her to navigate through this tumultuous period and emerge stronger than ever before. In 2022, Nataliia embarked on a new chapter in her career, relocating to Cyprus and harnessing her wealth of experience to launch Soula, a groundbreaking mobile application heralded as the first Safe and Compassionate AI for Pregnancy and Maternity. Soula is meticulously crafted to provide expectant mothers and new parents with invaluable support, empowering them to navigate the intricacies of pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood with confidence and reassurance. Unlike conventional pregnancy trackers, Soula places a paramount emphasis on the well-being of the mother, offering a multifaceted array of resources ranging from emotional support to evidence-based information and decision-making assistance.

Philippos Aristotelous

Philippos Aristotelous is an award-winning lawyer, business consultant, author, trainer, and speaker with over twenty years of diverse experience serving professional organisations and helping professionals unlock their full potential. His legal career, highlighted by his role as a senior partner in Cyprus’s largest law firm, provided him with extensive leadership and practice management expertise. He has worked with prominent organizations and leading firms across various sectors, including professional services, Biotech, food and beverage, IT, trading, and logistics. Philippos is the author of "The MARVEL of Engagement: Turning Passive Employees into Active Ambassadors," a seminal work on employee engagement, and "The MARVEL of Happiness: Principles, Stories, and Lessons For Living Fully," acclaimed by Gold Magazine as “One of the most entertaining and useful guides to living a fuller life,” now in its second edition. Beyond his professional achievements, Philippos is also known for his songwriting, with his composition ‘Shine’ being chosen by Europa Donna Cyprus for its 2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. Residing in Limassol with his wife and three children, Philippos continues to make a difference through his work and creative endeavours.

Sofia Popovidou

Sofia Popovidou, a professional with degrees in PR and psychology, has devoted 11 years to shaping brands in diverse industries. As a trailblazer in the AdTech industry, she led international MICE projects. Over her career, Sofia has successfully built and evolved international company brands and initiated HR brands from inception in diverse industries, from electrical engineering to cutting-edge technology. She designed and implemented impactful ambassadorship and employee recognition programs tailored for IT companies.

Stylianos Lambrou

Stylianos Lambrou, a heart-centered entrepreneur, impact-driven investor, and community builder. Stylianos's talk, titled "How to Shape Your World with Heart-Centered Entrepreneurship," promises to be an inspiring journey into the power of prioritizing compassion and empathy in business. Through personal anecdotes and real-world examples, Stylianos will illustrate how putting heart first can lead to tangible impact and transformation. Stylianos Lambrou embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at a remarkably young age, founding his first company at 19. Despite graduating from prestigious institutions like UCL and the University of Cambridge, Stylianos chose to return to his homeland, Cyprus, during the financial crisis. Today, Stylianos is the visionary founder and CEO of Heart Group, which commitment to revitalizing communities is evident through restoration of historic buildings and innovative commercial spaces across Cyprus. In addition, he co-founded Reflect Festival, the largest technology event in the region, and TechIsland, a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of the tech sector.