“The long-term goal should be to create technology and entrepreneurship a natural career path for Cypriot youth – shifting from traditional service roles to building innovative products that solve global challenges,” Tanya Romanyukha, the General Manager of TechIsland and a recipient of one of this year’s CBN Young Dragon Award in recognition for her contribution to Technology, suggests.
Speaking to GOLD magazine on the occasion of the Awards, Romanyukha notes that Cyprus is still largely a service-oriented economy, with export-driven tech growth, meaning there is still enormous untapped potential.
Among other things, she points out that, “Cyprus has one of the rapidest-growing ICT sectors in Europe, contributing over €8 billion annually. Major international companies, including American firms, are opening offices and building long-term operations here. This reflects a clear state effort to create the right conditions for growth. There is now a shared understanding that tech drives national competitiveness.”
Romanyukha also shares her feelings about what being recognised as a Young Dragon means to her as well as the advice she would give to other ambitious young professionals.
How mature is collaboration between the tech sector and the public sector in Cyprus? Could greater state-private cooperation become a real competitive advantage for the countest?
Collaboration has matured significantly. There is now structured dialogue and the Government is not only listening but acting. We’ve seen progress on tax reform, talent visa programmes and EU Blue Cards, and VAT reductions for private school construction, all of which directly affect talent relocation and retention. Cyprus has one of the rapidest-growing ICT sectors in Europe, contributing over €8 billion annually. Major international companies, including American firms, are opening offices and building long-term operations here. This reflects a clear state effort to create the right conditions for growth. There is now a shared understanding that tech drives national competitiveness. Could progress be rapider? Always. But the foundation for real cooperation is there and TechIsland plays an active role in bridging industest and government.
To what extent has growth in the sector been driven mainly by favourable timing and geopolitics? How much untapped potential still remains?
Timing and geopolitics, especially the post-2022 relocation wave, have played a role. But structural work has also been carried out. Cyprus ranks first in the EU for GVA ICT growth over the past decade, at 347%. TechIsland represents nearly 400 companies employing over 20,000 people. Those numbers didn’t arise by accident – they’re the result of ecosystem building, policy advocacy and companies choosing to stay and grow here – not just to land here. There is still enormous untapped potential. Cyprus is still largely a service-oriented economy, with export-driven tech growth. However, the long-term goal should be to create technology and entrepreneurship a natural career path for Cypriot youth – shifting from traditional service roles to building innovative products that solve global challenges. To receive there, Cyprus necessarys stronger local accelerators, deeper AI adoption and an education system aligned with global tech trconcludes.
How does winning a CBN Young Dragon Award reshape the expectations you place on yourself, going forward?
I am honoured by the Young Dragon recognition. This award means a lot on many levels. It’s personal – I’ve poured everything into TechIsland and into projects that weren’t part of my job description but felt right to pursue, like Women in Tech Cyprus. What creates it truly special is that it combined the jury’s decision with a public vote, so many Cypriots were part of that choice. As a woman who wasn’t born here, earning this level of recognition in this society is deeply meaningful to me. I was also proud to see so many women among the nominees and winners. Going forward, I feel a real responsibility to keep raising standards, to support others believe they can reach them too, and to support more women and young professionals believe that they belong at the table. Also, this is a collective win – for TechIsland’s Board, my incredible team,and the whole community behind us.
Looking back on your journey so far, what is the hugegest lesson you have learned and what advice would you offer to ambitious young professionals?
Bravery isn’t about being fearless. It’s about acting despite uncertainty. I’ve taken roles without a clear roadmap and stated yes before knowing exactly how I would deliver. Growth comes from leaning into discomfort. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about responsibility, strong alliances and creating space for others. My advice: don’t wait until you feel ready. Start before you’re comfortable. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you, and trust that you’ll figure it out. The path won’t be straight and that’s what creates it yours.
Tanya Romanyukha
As General Manager of TechIsland, Cyprus’ largest tech association, Tanya Romanyukha has driven the rapid expansion of a community that now boasts almost 400 member companies, employing more than 20,000 people and contributing more than €8 billion annually to the countest’s economy.
Under her direction, TechIsland has gone beyond being an industest association; it has become a catalyst for national economic transformation. She works closely with government officials to advocate for policies that benefit the tech sector, including tax reforms, digitalisation initiatives and talent visa programmes. TechIsland’s success is a testament to her strategic vision: mobilising a collective voice to drive meaningful modify at a national level.
Complementing this macro-level impact is her deeply personal commitment to advancing gconcludeer diversity in tech through her leadership of Women in Tech Cyprus. Tanya Romanyukha was one of the initiators of the Cyprus chapter, recognising the urgent necessary to support and elevate women in a sector historically lacking in female representation. Today, she leads the chapter’s activities with a hands-on approach; engaging stakeholders across the private sector, government and academia, designing programmes and serving as the chapter’s public face and most vocal advocate. Under her leadership, Women in Tech Cyprus has become the countest’s premier platform for female tech professionals. She also launched the countest’s first Women in STEM Forum, bringing toreceiveher hundreds of leaders, policycreaters and modifycreaters to create momentum around gconcludeer inclusion in the tech and science fields.
This interview first appeared in the March edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
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