{"id":13657,"date":"2025-05-06T15:11:01","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T12:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jacyprus.org\/?p=13657"},"modified":"2025-05-06T15:11:01","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T12:11:01","slug":"peellastic-crowned-company-of-the-year-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jacyprus.org\/en\/peellastic-crowned-company-of-the-year-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cPeellastic\u201d crowned \u201cCompany of the Year 2025\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

JA CYPRUS COMPANY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

FINALE & AWARDS CEREMONY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Junior Achievement Cyprus successfully hosted the 12th Annual Finale and Awards Ceremony<\/strong> of the \u201cCompany of the Year 2025\u201d<\/strong> 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Ten student teams took to the stage, each vying for the prestigious title of \u201cCompany of the Year.\u201d These finalists emerged from a pool of 68 student-led companies, the result of the year-long efforts of 470 students aged 15\u201318, 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).<\/p>\n

The title of “Company of the Year” 2025 was awarded to team Peellastic<\/strong>, a student company from Agios Georgios Lyceum Larnaca<\/strong>, consisting of Foteini Rousoudiou, Evangelos Kalampalikas, Joyce Ntatsi, Miltiades Pallikarides, Maria Evangelou, and Niki Evangelou<\/strong>. With the guidance of their teacher<\/strong> Sophia Louca Sofroniou<\/strong> and their mentor Evangelia Athanasiou (CYENS)<\/strong>, 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\u2014bringing to life a new kind of plastic that shares the same properties, but without the pollution.<\/p>\n

Second place<\/strong> was awarded to team Traxanakia<\/strong>, from Linopetra Lyceum<\/strong>, whose members are Georgia Anaiti, Styliana Ioannou, Revekka Kyriacou, Aristos Neocleous, <\/strong>Demetris Papadopoulos<\/strong>, <\/strong>Maria Sergiou<\/strong>, and <\/strong>Iliana Christodoulou<\/strong>. The team was guided by teachers Demetra Chari<\/strong> and Marios Kyprianou<\/strong>, <\/strong>and their mentor Demetra Seraphim (PwC)<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

Third place<\/strong> went to team Next Step<\/strong> from The English School<\/strong>, consisting of Sophia Kalochoritis, Katerina Cleanthous, Alexandra Metaxa, Danae Panteli, and Pantelia Papageorgiou<\/strong>. Supported by teachers<\/strong> Richa Tandon<\/strong> and Elena Constantinou<\/strong> and their mentor<\/strong> Giorgos Charilaou (PwC)<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

In addition to the main competition awards, teams were also recognized with Signature Awards<\/strong> for excellence in specific entrepreneurial areas:<\/p>\n