“Peellastic” crowned “Company of the Year 2025”

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JA CYPRUS COMPANY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION 2025

FINALE & AWARDS CEREMONY

Junior Achievement Cyprus successfully hosted the 12th Annual Finale and Awards Ceremony of the “Company of the Year 2025” competition on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. This much-anticipated event marked the conclusion of a dynamic programme that showcases the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of young minds. The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.

Ten student teams took to the stage, each vying for the prestigious title of “Company of the Year.” These finalists emerged from a pool of 68 student-led companies, the result of the year-long efforts of 470 students aged 15–18, who formed and operated their own businesses. Each team pitched their innovative ideas before a panel of esteemed judges, to whom we extend our sincere appreciation for their time and contribution. The Jury Committee consisted of Konstantina Logotheti (BoD of JA Cyprus & PwC Foundation), Christos Sophokleous (Metlife), Andreas Giortsios (Coca-Cola), Daphne Roditou Tang (IMH), Marilena Paraskeva (RIF) and Evgenios Evgeniou (Invest Cyprus).

The title of “Company of the Year” 2025 was awarded to team Peellastic, a student company from Agios Georgios Lyceum Larnaca, consisting of Foteini Rousoudiou, Evangelos Kalampalikas, Joyce Ntatsi, Miltiades Pallikarides, Maria Evangelou, and Niki Evangelou. With the guidance of their teacher Sophia Louca Sofroniou and their mentor Evangelia Athanasiou (CYENS), Peellastic created an innovative solution that transforms potato peels into eco-friendly bioplastic. Their product offers a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics and promotes a circular economy by repurposing food waste. After use, the product can be planted and turn into natural fertilizer—bringing to life a new kind of plastic that shares the same properties, but without the pollution.

Second place was awarded to team Traxanakia, from Linopetra Lyceum, whose members are Georgia Anaiti, Styliana Ioannou, Revekka Kyriacou, Aristos Neocleous, Demetris Papadopoulos, Maria Sergiou, and Iliana Christodoulou. The team was guided by teachers Demetra Chari and Marios Kyprianou, and their mentor Demetra Seraphim (PwC). Their innovative product “Traxanakia” was inspired by the Mediterranean diet, which is slowly being forgotten. The students developed a healthy, convenient, and innovative snack using traxanas, a traditional Cypriot product recognized as part of the country’s intangible cultural heritage. Traxanakia offers a nutritious option made primarily from milk and wheat, suitable for all age groups, and evokes a nostalgic connection to traditional Cypriot flavors.

Third place went to team Next Step from The English School, consisting of Sophia Kalochoritis, Katerina Cleanthous, Alexandra Metaxa, Danae Panteli, and Pantelia Papageorgiou. Supported by teachers Richa Tandon and Elena Constantinou and their mentor Giorgos Charilaou (PwC), the team developed an informative website tailored to teens and young adults facing subject and career choices. Their platform, NextStep, provides valuable insights on various professions, with a focus on the role of AI and the representation of women in STEAM.

In addition to the main competition awards, teams were also recognized with Signature Awards for excellence in specific entrepreneurial areas:

  • Best Trade Fair Stand 1: Traxanakia (Linopetra Lyceum)
  • Best Trade Fair Stand 2: playEDU (Larnaka Apprenticeship School)
  • Team Spirit Award: MindEaze (Pascal English School Larnaka)
  • Best Logo: Heroring (Pancyprian Gymnasium)
  • Sustainability Award: Zerocrumbs (Latsia Lyceum)
  • Best Branding and Digital Communication: Airthrow (Arch. Makarios Dasoupoli Lyceum)
  • Best Pitch: Zerocrumbs (Latsia Lyceum)
  • Best Annual Report: Bookle (Foley’s School)
  • Best Promotional Video: Aurae (Pascal English School Limassol)
  • Most Innovative Product/Service: Mediq (American Academy Nicosia)
  • Leadership Award: Panagiotis Papaloukas (Heroring, Pancyprian Gymnasium)

The event was honored by the presence of the Minister of Education, Sport & Youth, Dr. Athena Michaelidou, as well as the Ministrer of Energy, Commerce and Industry, George Papanastasiou. High esteemed representatives and other people also attended, the Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Skourides, as well as the Commissioner for the Environment, Mrs. Antonia Theodosiou, celebrating and supporting youth entrepreneurship.

Peellastic will represent Cyprus at JA Europe’s GEN-E 2025 in July 2025.

JA Cyprus’ Company Programme is proudly supported by:

  • Strategic Sponsor: PwC Cyprus
  • Partner: MetLife
  • Supporters: Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Research and Innovation Foundation