Introducing the Cypriot startup Snap

“We believe that by filling this gap in the market, we will help beauty and wellness businesses focus on what they do best, which is providing an excellent service to their customers,” says Snap founder Antonis Neocleous.

Once a tepid affair, the Cypriot consumer’s relationship with e-commerce has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with the pandemic acting as the catalyst for the swing in consumer behaviour. While the local e-commerce canvas is still incomplete – web sales (B2C and B2B) in 2021 stood at 4.3%, trailing behind the European average of 6.2% – it presents an opportunity for new entrants. Amidst this shifting landscape, Antonis Neocleous recognised the ripe hour to launch the first marketplace in Cyprus connecting consumers and businesses in the beauty and wellness industry.

Having recently raised €223,543 from the crowdfunding platform Crowdbase, Snap will provide a subscription-free platform for beauty and wellness professionals and businesses, earning from its 12% share of any resulting sales. Having engaged the industry in conversation, invariably punctuated by the classic door-to-door pitch, Neocleous discovered that companies are open to a solution that shaves off the burden of day-to-day business management. He is quick to admit that interest was mostly shown by the younger generation of professionals but he appears certain that, once the ball starts rolling, the whole industry will join the cause. “There are a lot of beauticians that still use messaging platforms like WhatsApp to manage their appointments while lacking the tools to grow their business,” he mentions. The platform’s business dashboard will provide analytical insights to drum up more revenue by enabling companies and individuals to keep track of their top spenders and loyal customers. “Last-minute cancellations are a big problem for them and our platform will give them the functionality to add cancellation fees,” he notes. On the consumer side, Snap’s toolkit will include both bookings and payment solutions for appointments.

Autumn 2023 has been earmarked for Snap’s official launch, with Neocleous aiming to populate the platform with up to 300 businesses in the first phase, focused on Nicosia and Limassol. These businesses will include hair and nail salons, massage parlours and studios that offer face, eyebrow and lashes treatment, among other mainstream beauty services. Interestingly, there has also been tangible interest from cos-

metic surgeons and dentists. In the second phase, commencing in the first quarter of 2024, Snap will expand to include providers of yoga and Pilates classes. It will also add software solutions like smart pricing and slot optimisation tools, providing price recommendations based on footfall. It will also allow consumers to purchase beauty and wellness products through the platform, thereby offering businesses another revenue stream. “Our primary objective,” he says, “is to establish Snap in the local market and, as the brand grows, so will our plans. We are very ambitious but we want to start with small steps.”

Snap will provide a subscription-free platform for beauty and wellness professionals and businesses, earning from its 12% share of any resulting sales

Founder: Antonis Neocleous.

What is it?: A beauty and wellness marketplace, bringing together consumers and businesses on one platform.

Stage: Seed.

What it aspires to be: The go-to platform for consumers and businesses in the beauty and wellness industry.

Funds received: €350,000.

This interview first appeared in the August edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.