Mixed Reality (MR) is rapidly gaining ground worldwide as a disruptive technology, blending the digital and physical to revolutionize training, education, and collaboration. The momentum is also tangible in Cyprus, where Ascanio is pioneering immersive solutions for high-risk and mission-critical professions. By developing cutting-edge MR platforms, the company is propelling local innovation onto the global stage.

In the following interview, Ascanio’s co-CEOs George Tziazas and Minas Kyriakou discuss their shared leadership style, the driving purpose behind their data-driven MR solutions, and how they’re helping professionals—from first responders to maritime engineers—train more safely and effectively. They also offer practical advice for startups, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and a clear vision in shaping the future of technology.

At Ascanio, we believe that technology has the power to unlock human potential. Our purpose is to bridge the gap between people and their capabilities, helping them learn, train, and work more effectively through immersive Mixed Reality experiences. We were inspired by a fundamental truth: technology should not replace people but empower them to do more, learn faster, and collaborate better. We both bring complementary backgrounds that shaped this vision. Together, we saw an opportunity to combine our strengths to solve real-world challenges in industries where high performance and precision are critical.

We do this by developing data-driven Mixed Reality solutions that blend the physical and digital worlds. Whether it’s enabling ship engineers to perform remote inspections, first responders to train for life-saving scenarios, or students to engage with complex subjects like history and biology, Ascanio’s solutions are designed to empower people. We build tools and experiences that make work, learning, and collaboration seamless, immersive, and impactful.

At Ascanio, our “Why” is clear: to create technology that brings out the best in people, shaping industries and building a better, more connected future.

As co-CEOs, we approach leadership as a partnership built on trust, respect, and a shared vision for Ascanio. We firmly believe that great leadership is not about dividing responsibilities but about amplifying each other’s strengths to achieve the best outcomes for the company. Our philosophy is that two minds are better than one, we discuss and decide together. This collaborative approach allows us to bring diverse perspectives to decisions, ensuring we challenge assumptions, explore different angles, and ultimately make stronger, well-rounded choices for the company.

By working as a team, we leverage our shared experience and insights to address challenges and seize opportunities. Whether it’s exploring new markets, guiding our teams, or driving innovation, we engage in open, transparent discussions to align on the best path forward. This constant dialogue not only strengthens our leadership but also sets an example for our team—emphasizing the importance of collaboration, trust, and shared ownership of success.

Ultimately, our shared leadership is a strength. By working together, we combine vision and execution, strategy and delivery—creating a balance that empowers our team, inspires innovation, and keeps Ascanio growing toward its goals.

Mixed Reality transforms training for high-risk professions —whether its engineers performing remote ship inspections, medical teams responding to mass casualties, or soldiers conducting urban operations, by creating immersive, interactive, data-rich and risk-free environments where individuals can develop and refine critical skills. Unlike traditional methods that often rely on static manuals, classroom lectures, or expensive real-world simulations, MR combines the best of the physical and digital worlds to deliver realistic, hands-on experiences. Trainees can interact with real and virtual equipment, and other trainees in real-time, in real space, while receiving immediate feedback, enabling faster learning, better retention, and improved decision-making under pressure.

What truly sets our MR solutions apart is the ability to collect and analyze performance data during training. Metrics like response time, accuracy, decision-making patterns, and even biodata such as stress levels and heart rate are tracked in real time. This data is then used to provide actionable insights and personalized suggestions for improvement, ensuring each trainee receives targeted guidance to enhance their skills and decision-making under pressure.

One powerful real-world application of our technology is our collaboration with Cyprus First Responders. We developed an MR training module for emergency response teams tasked with triaging multiple victims in complex and hazardous scenarios. Trainees are placed in a real environment with digital victims and objects that simulate disaster scenes, where they can practice prioritizing victims, navigating chaos, and applying protocols—all without the logistical challenges and costs of physical simulations.

Mixed Reality empowers high-risk professionals to train more effectively, safely, and efficiently, reducing errors in the field and ultimately saving lives.

Our long-term vision for Ascanio is to become the global leader in immersive training solutions, where Mixed Reality becomes the gold standard for training and certifying professionals across industries. We see a future where MR is not just an enhancement to traditional methods but a fundamental part of professional development—offering a completely reliable, unbiased, and data-driven approach to assessing skills and performance.

Over the next decade, MR will disrupt training for high-risk professions by combining realistic simulations, AI-powered adaptability, and rich performance analytics. Imagine a system where training scenarios not only replicate real-world conditions with absolute accuracy but also adapt dynamically to trainees’ performance, decision-making patterns, and stress responses.

This level of precision will enable MR to go even beyond training—it will redefine how professionals are certified. In fields like aviation, healthcare, defense, or maritime operations, MR will provide a fully unbiased and standardized way to evaluate readiness. Trainees will be assessed not by subjective measures or human bias but through clear, data-driven performance metrics captured during immersive, real-world simulations. This ensures professionals are not only trained to the highest standards but also certified with complete reliability and confidence.

At Ascanio, we are building the foundation for this future. Our platform already integrates immersive MR modules with real-time performance data, enabling organizations to track progress and optimize training outcomes. Moving forward, we aim to expand our solutions into new sectors like energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, where the margin for error is razor-thin and peak performance is critical.

Ultimately, our goal is for MR to become the trusted standard for developing the workforce of the future, reducing human error, improving outcomes, and saving lives.

For startups in the mixed-reality space, our advice is threefold: be persistent, persevere through challenges, and surround yourself with people who believe in you.

Innovation, especially in emerging technologies like Mixed Reality, is not a straight path. There will be moments when things don’t go as planned; prototypes fail, clients hesitate, or the market doesn’t respond the way you hoped. Persistence will be your greatest asset. Believe in your vision, keep pushing forward, and remember that setbacks are just opportunities to learn, pivot, and come back stronger.

Perseverance is equally vital. The MR space is exciting but demanding. It requires time, patience, and a relentless commitment to solving real-world problems. Success doesn’t come from flashy demos or short-term wins—it comes from building solutions that deliver true value, and that takes sustained effort.

Most importantly, surround yourself with the right people. Innovating in MR is not something you can do alone. You need a team, mentors, and partners who share your belief in the vision, but also those who will challenge you, support you, and help you get back on your feet when you stumble. Building a startup is tough, and having a support system—people who bring experience, encouragement, and perspective—can make all the difference.

Mixed Reality is a transformative technology, but the journey to innovate in this space is not about technology alone. It’s about resilience, trust, and the determination to create something that matters. So, our advice: stay persistent, embrace the challenges, and lean on the people who inspire you to keep going. Success in this space isn’t just about what you build; it’s about how you get there and who you bring along for the ride.

What: Ascanio

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Who: George Tziazas is a serial entrepreneur. He has been managing business, innovating, and creating groundbreaking software for the better part of a decade. He has managed and helped create every type of software ranging from game development to enterprise systems, government systems, mobile apps. He is currently the CEO of Ascanio, a mixed reality software development company for trainings in mission-critical professions.  He has created strategic partnerships with companies for Ascanio such as Microsoft, as well as networked, creating over 20 partners in the last year alone. He has been working as a catalyst between shareholders and developers on multiple occasions with great success. He has been awarded as a Millennial Entrepreneur by IN Business. He has unique insights in the ecosystem of technology startups and enterprise systems as well as the latest trends in technology and software. He has been invited as a speaker to multiple events about innovation and young entrepreneurship.

Minas Kyriakou is a visionary entrepreneur with a deep passion for cutting-edge technology, particularly in the field of mixed reality. As the co-founder and joint CEO of Ascanio, Minas has been instrumental in transforming the company from a game development studio into a global leader in immersive, mixed-reality training solutions. His innovative work spans industries such as maritime, defense, and healthcare, where he has helped revolutionize mission-critical training by seamlessly merging the digital and physical worlds. Through partnerships with industry giants like Fameline Holding Group, Minas has pushed the boundaries of mixed reality technology, creating platforms that allow professionals to train for high-stakes scenarios, from emergency responses to complex maritime operations. His forward-thinking leadership has driven the company’s growth and its ability to meet the evolving demands of modern industries. Beyond his corporate achievements, Minas is also a dedicated mentor, actively supporting and guiding startups at various incubators and accelerators. His involvement in mentoring young entrepreneurs reflects his commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the next generation of tech leaders. This dual role as both an industry innovator and mentor showcases his dedication to advancing technology while giving back to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.