Klisto is shaking up how reservations are made in Cyprus. Co-founded by Miltiadis Tavelis, the platform brings together restaurants, salons, events, and more under one digital roof—making it the country’s first and only all-in-one reservation marketplace. What started as a frustration with outdated booking systems has evolved into a flexible, intuitive tool designed specifically for Cypriot businesses and their customers.

In his interview with FastForward, Miltiadis shares how Klisto was built from the ground up without external funding, why earning business trust requires patience, and how the future of booking is about much more than filling calendars—it’s about helping people decide what to do next.

The idea for Klisto came from a very simple realization—making a reservation in Cyprus was way harder than it needed to be. Whether it was booking a restaurant, securing an appointment with a service provider, or buying a ticket for an event, everything felt outdated. Businesses were relying on manual systems, phone calls, or scattered booking platforms that didn’t fit their needs. It was inefficient, led to mistakes like double bookings or no-shows, and frankly, it was frustrating for both businesses and customers.

That’s where we saw the gap. We wanted to create a single, all-in-one platform where any business, in any industry, could manage reservations effortlessly. Klisto isn’t just another booking tool—it’s the first and only reservation marketplace in Cyprus that covers everything from restaurants and events to beauty salons and personal trainers.

Of course, building something this broad wasn’t easy. The biggest challenge was making sure Klisto worked seamlessly for different industries with completely different booking needs. A restaurant operates differently from a hair salon, which operates differently from an event venue. Our focus has been on keeping the platform flexible and intuitive, so businesses don’t have to adapt to us—we adapt to them.

What makes Klisto different? We’re local, we’re built for Cyprus, and we do it all.

Most reservation platforms focus on just one industry—like restaurants or salons. Others are international, meaning they aren’t tailored to how businesses in Cyprus operate. Klisto is different because it’s the first and only marketplace in Cyprus that supports reservations across every industry. Whether it’s booking a table, scheduling a service, or securing event tickets, we bring it all together in one place.

This local focus is a huge advantage. We understand the needs of Cypriot businesses, and we design features that actually help them. For example, we offer SMS reminders (since missed appointments are a big issue here), deposit management to reduce no-shows, and full customization so businesses can control their availability however they want.

As for the future? Our vision is simple: We want Klisto to be the go-to reservation platform in Cyprus. We’re expanding into event ticketing, adding new tools for businesses, and constantly improving the experience based on user feedback. And who knows? If we perfect the model here, there’s no reason we can’t take it beyond Cyprus.

The response from businesses has been a mix of excitement and hesitation. Many have embraced Klisto quickly, recognizing how it simplifies their daily operations. They’ve been eager to move away from outdated systems and modernize their booking processes. For them, it’s a natural step forward in keeping up with customer expectations.

However, not everyone is immediately on board. Some businesses—especially those that have been operating the same way for years—are more cautious about switching to digital booking. It’s not necessarily that they don’t see the value; it’s more about comfort with what they already know. Change always comes with some level of hesitation, and many owners worry about disrupting their current workflow or having to learn a new system.

When we face that kind of resistance, the key is patience and open conversation. Some businesses take time to adjust, and that’s okay. The important thing is making sure they feel in control of the transition rather than pressured into it. In many cases, it’s just about timing—some businesses need to see others successfully making the switch before they feel confident doing the same.

Digitalization isn’t just changing how businesses take bookings—it’s completely transforming how people decide where to go and what to do. Customers don’t just want a reservation platform; they want a one-stop app that helps them discover experiences, book instantly, and manage their plans effortlessly. This shift is creating a future where platforms like Klisto aren’t just about reservations but about making everyday decisions easier.

On the user side, people expect instant options. Whether they’re deciding on a restaurant for dinner, looking for an available hair appointment, or searching for events happening tonight, they don’t want to browse multiple websites or call around. They want a single app that shows them real-time availability across different industries and lets them book instantly. Convenience is everything, and the future of booking is about helping users decide faster and act immediately.

For businesses and managers, the focus is shifting from just “taking bookings” to optimizing their entire operation. They need tools that don’t just fill their calendar but help them manage cancellations, no-shows, and customer relationships more effectively. With digitalization, managers also expect real-time data, giving them insights into peak hours, customer preferences, and ways to maximize their revenue.

As the only reservation marketplace in Cyprus covering restaurants, services, events, and more, Klisto is positioned right at the center of this evolution. We’re not just solving booking problems—we’re solving the “what should I do today?” question for users, while helping businesses run smoother, smarter, and more efficiently.

The future of reservations isn’t just about booking—it’s about discovering, deciding, and managing all in one place. That’s where we see the industry heading, and that’s exactly what we’re building with Klisto.

To be honest, we built Klisto without relying on external funding or startup programs—it was completely self-funded and developed by our team of five. That gave us full control over our vision and growth, but it also meant we had to be resourceful and solve challenges on our own.

That said, Cyprus has been making big strides in recent years to support startups and attract entrepreneurs. One key initiative is the Cyprus Startup Visa Scheme, which allows international founders to establish and grow their businesses in Cyprus, making the country more appealing as a startup hub. There are also EU funding opportunities and government-backed grants that startups can apply for, though the application process can sometimes be complex.

In addition to funding, Cyprus has been actively expanding its entrepreneurial ecosystem, hosting more startup events, networking opportunities, and investor-founder meetups. These events are helping to bridge the gap between startups and investors, making it easier for new businesses to find support and scale.

However, there’s still room for improvement. Access to early-stage funding and venture capital remains a challenge, as the local investment scene is still growing. More structured mentorship programs, better funding accessibility, and stronger international investor connections could help Cyprus take its startup ecosystem to the next level. The ecosystem isn’t perfect yet, but it’s definitely heading in the right direction.

What: Klisto

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Who: Miltiadis Tavelis is the Co-Founder of Softave Ltd, the innovative company behind Klisto, the first reservation marketplace in Cyprus, designed to seamlessly connect restaurants, service providers, events, and unique experiences on a single intuitive platform. In his role, Miltiadis leads the software engineering efforts, including the architecture, design, and development of Klisto’s platform. He ensures the delivery of scalable software solutions aimed at simplifying daily planning for users and providing businesses with reliable, efficient booking management tools. With a strong academic foundation in Computer Science from the University of Cyprus, Miltiadis brings extensive expertise in software development, user experience design, and entrepreneurship to Softave. Prior to founding Softave, Miltiadis worked extensively on projects involving software engineering, digital platforms, and interactive technologies. His commitment to practical innovation and deep understanding of market needs has been instrumental in transforming Klisto from concept to reality, driving its rapid growth and adoption across industries in Cyprus.