Marios Argyris

1
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL 70TH CONFERENCE OF DISTRICT
2450
Plenary Session III Youth and Society
Building the Future

• Marios Argyris
• Head of Venture Capital, SFS Group PCL
• argyrism_at_sharelink.com.cy

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Building the Future
Profile of SFS Group A youthful enterprise!
(1)
Founded 1996 Listed on CSE 1999 2005 Vital
Statistics Main Subsidiaries25 Related
companies15 Assets CY147M Equity CY55M Reven
ues CY31M PAT CY4.7M Number of Employees
411 (Incl. Related) 83 (Group
Subs) Ages 20-30 31 30-40 37 40-50
22 Over 50 10
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Building the Future
Profile of SFS Group A youthful enterprise!
(2)
Main Activities/Lines of Business (Cyprus,
Greece, UK and International) Financial Services
Investments Real Estate Holdings
Development Shipping Private Equity/Venture
Capital
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Building the Future
My own subjective highly prejudiced Research
of 30 years! What do Young People Want? To Apply
their Talents, Knowledge Energy To be Rewarded
fairly To Innovate To be agents of Change To be
Taken Seriously To Make a Difference To
CREATE Same as what Society (should) want from
them!
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Building the Future
Career Professional Development One of the
KEYS
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Building the Future
Part of Solution New Breed of Companies SFS as
an Example Young work-force and
Management Employment opportunities in NEW
sectors (e.g.VC, EU, Shipping, Financial
Services) as well as traditional (e.g. Real
Estate) Corporate Culture promotes Innovation
Risk-taking Flat Corporate Structure Rewards
based on performance loyalty Position/Responsibi
lity based on capabilities Contrast Civil
Service, Banks, Family Business
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Building the Future
Part of Solution New Breed of Companies SFS as
a Service/Solution Provider Venture Capital
Entrepreneurship Innovation Rewarding
Career SFS Subsidiary CyVenture Capital PCL
CY2.8M invested, in Seven start-up companies,
in Cyprus Greece And more Young Entrepreneurs
invited to apply!
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Building the Future
What more is needed? (Case of Cyprus) Develop
into international services centre Education,
Health, Entertainment/Leisure, Finance, Shipping,
RTD (all need young, qualified talent AND
encourage development of more of the same a
virtuous cycle!) State Support for young
innovative entrepreneurs (Risk Capital schemes,
Loan Guarantees, Incubators, Tech-Parks, other
Support mechanisms)
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Building the Future

• LAST THOUGHTS
• Any country can build a better future for its
  citizens and especially for its Youth - all
  countries have comparative advantages - just have
  to be farsighted, consistent, persistent and,
  above all, believe in the potential of their
  young citizens
• THANK YOU