Reconnecting roots with purpose – at Snappi 

For the first time since 2009, more people moved to Greece than left. In 2023. The recent Financial Times article on returning Greek talent inspired us to look around our own team.  

Snappi has welcomed a number of incredible people who came back to Greece, bringing with them world-class expertise, open hearts, and the ambition to build something meaningful. 

We asked them why they returned, how they see Greece today, why they chose Snappi and what word describes our journey together. 

Here’s what they shared. 

Chloe Liaskou, IT Technical Project Manager 

Lived: 14 years abroad — 1 in London, 13 in Amsterdam

Why she returned? I missed the warmth of the people, the closeness of my family, and, of course, the sun & food. There’s something about the spirit and everyday life here that I couldn’t find anywhere else. I was fully aware it wouldn’t be easy, and I have accepted the challenge. 

Thoughts on Greece? Greece is where my heart feels right. I know it’s not perfect, but I believe in its potential. It has the appetite to grow and to welcome back expats who want to be part of its future. 

Why Snappi? Choosing Snappi was the easiest decision. I was looking for a place to work that is progressive, innovative, and equally invested in culture, people, and growth—and Snappi clearly stood out. 

One word to describe Snappi: Visionary 

Ioannis Michos, CISO 

Lived: 40+ years in the UK 

Why he returned? After living and working in the UK for over 40 years, I felt it was the right time to return to Greece. My parents are getting older, and being closer to them—and to family and lifelong friends—was a big factor. Greece has always felt like home in many ways, and I wanted to reconnect with that. 

Thoughts on Greece? I love Greece. The food, the social culture, the weather—there’s a real sense of balance and joy in everyday life here. That said, there are definitely differences from the UK, especially in how things work professionally. Working etiquette and some governmental processes can take a bit of adjustment, but I’ve learned to embrace the change and see it as part of the experience. 

Why Snappi? I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and when I saw what Snappi is building, I knew I wanted to be part of it. There’s huge potential for Snappi to grow into a leading force in the European fintech space. The ambition and energy here are exactly what I was looking for. 

One word to describe Snappi? Innovation. 

Marina Kyriaki, Strategic Projects Director 

Lived: 10 years in London 

Why she returned? Because when roots are strong, they pull you closer to those you love and the places you cherish 

Thoughts on Greece? The quality of life does not compare anywhere in this world.  

Why Snappi? Snappi combines the best of both worlds — a Greek identity, an international crowd, an open-minded culture where each person sees and feels their contribution 

One word to describe Snappi? Genuine — It evokes authenticity, trust, and clarity 

Maria Dalavika, Product Assurance Lead 

Lived: Over 7 years in Germany — a place that shaped my mindset, my precision, and my love for bold ideas that actually work. But no matter how far I went, my heart had the coordinates of the Aegean Sea and Athens! 

Why she returned?  Because I believe the Mediterranean is not just a place — it’s a rhythm. I returned to Greece to combine the structure and clarity I found abroad with the creative spark, warmth, and soul of my roots. I came back to create, not just live. 

Thoughts on Greece?  Greece is an endless paradox — chaotic and poetic, ancient and modern. It’s a place where dreams sunbathe, and ideas dance barefoot. And that’s exactly why it’s the perfect playground for innovation with purpose. 

Why Snappi? Because Snappi isn’t just a banking app, it dares to dream of a better digital banking experience and backs it with action. I wanted to be part of a team where intelligence meets imagination, and where things move fast and meaningfully. 

One word to describe Snappi Electric.  

Konstantinos Babaramos, Treasurer 

Lived: 7 years in London. Having moved there to be at the heart of Europe’s financial and fintech hub. Coincidentally, I left Athens on the very day Brexit results were officially announced. After years of building experience across banks and fintech, I returned to Greece in the summer of 2023, ready for the next chapter. 

Why he returned? After the Greek referendum in 2015, I decided it was time to gain international experience. I was fortunate to receive an offer from a Geneva-based family office that was expanding into London.  Our Berkeley Square offices placed me at the epicenter of London’s financial world. It was an immersive introduction to London. 

Thoughts on Greece? Greece has transformed a lot since I left and for the better. There’s a renewed sense of optimism, the economy is on a stronger path, and what also excites me is seeing more and more expats returning.  While readjusting to any home country after years abroad takes time, so far I found the experience deeply rewarding. 

Why Snappi? I began my career at a Greek bank and continued in similarly engaging Treasury roles across other institutions. While these roles provide valuable experience, the ability to truly reshape or innovate was limited. That changed when I joined Metrobank, where Treasury was still being built and I was the fourth person in the team. It was hands-on, collaborative, and deeply fulfilling. The same applied at Checkout.com, a fast-growing fintech where you could feel things being built in real time. Those experiences showed me how much I thrive in environments where there’s both structure to create and impact to make. So, when the opportunity arose to help build the Treasury function of a neobank from the ground up it didn’t just feel like the next logical step, it felt like a calling. And along the way, I met some truly inspiring people who confirmed I was exactly where I needed to be. 

One word to describe Snappi: Trailblazing. We’re not just building another bank, we’re redefining what a bank can be in Greece. The mindset, the culture, the ambition. It’s all about pushing boundaries together and creating something that hasn’t been done in Greece before. And being part of that from day zero is what makes this journey so exciting. 

Dimitris Drougkas, Senior Product Delivery Project Manager 

Lived: France and Belgium – almost 4 years. 

Why he returned? Both for the quality of life in this country and my desire to apply what I learned abroad to make a meaningful contribution here. 

Thoughts on Greece? Emerging from a profound crisis just a few years ago, Greece now has the chance to reflect on past mistakes and move forward with renewed ambition, striving for a brighter future for everyone who calls this beautiful country home. 

Why Snappi? I found the opportunity to contribute to the development of Greece’s first neobank both exciting and inspiring. I was eager to apply my previous experience to support this vision and be part of the journey. Snappi is a paradigm shift for the banking industry in this country and I just wanted to be part of it. 

One word to describe Snappi Exciting 

Angelos Kanellopoulos, Head of ICT  

Lived: 17 years in the Netherlands. 

Why he returned? Mainly because of my parents and my family. Both of my parents are getting old, and I wanted to be around to take care of them when needed. I also wanted my daughter to have the opportunity to spend as much time as possible with them. The decision was mainly driven by emotional reasons and so far, it feels like it was the right thing to do. 

Thoughts on Greece?  I think that it’s a place that you either love or hate. Greece has a lot of potential but it’s usually quite complicated to realize it. 

Why Snappi? I loved the idea and the people I met during the interview process. I believed (and still do) that it is the most interesting technological project happening in Greece and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. 

One word to describe Snappi Innovation 

Nikolaos Richardou, Strategic Projects Senior Manager 

Lived: Nearly 6 years in London 

Why he returned? I came back mainly to be closer to my family and I have to admit, I enjoy the Greek lifestyle a bit more than the British. 

Thoughts on Greece? There’s still room for improvement in Greece but when it comes to lifestyle, few countries can compete.  

Why Snappi? Because it operates with EU-level startup standards.  

One word to describe Snappi? Journey 

Ioannis Traiforos, Strategy and M&A Senior Manager 

Lived: 1 Year in Ireland 

Why he returned? I decided to return to Greece to apply what I had learned ,in a place I know well and care about. The experience abroad gave me new skills and perspectives, but I saw more opportunity to grow and contribute back home—both professionally and personally. It just made sense to come back and build something meaningful here. 

Thoughts on Greece? Greece is complicated. It’s a place that gives you so much—good weather, strong community, a way of life that’s hard to replicate—but at the same time, it tests your patience constantly. Things can be inefficient, decisions get delayed, and you often feel like you’re working twice as hard to get half as far. But somehow, that frustration doesn’t cancel out the connection. If anything, it makes you want to stay and push through, because you know what the country could be. There’s talent here, creativity, and a different kind of drive that comes from having to navigate around limitations. It’s not easy—but it feels worth it. 

Why Snappi? Joining Snappi felt like a natural progression after my time at Blueground and Revolut.  I learned what it means to operate at scale in a fast-moving  environment. I saw how strong execution, data-driven decisions, and bold product thinking can reshape entire industries. But what excited me about Snappi was the chance to bring that mindset into something new—from the ground up. There’s something powerful about building a product locally, with a deep understanding of the market and the freedom to move fast. Snappi isn’t trying to be a copy of something that already exists. It’s an opportunity to create something fresh, relevant, and genuinely useful—and that’s what pulled me in. 

One word to describe Snappi? Bold. 

Lina Papageorgiou, Senior Sales Manager 

Lived: 5 years in Amsterdam 

Why she returned? I missed the simple joys of Greece like the warmth, the way of life and the people. It felt natural to return and reconnect with all of that. 

Thoughts on Greece? A country full of contrasts, with a rich history and a strong drive to grow and change. There’s a genuine warmth in the culture that inspires people to keep moving forward. 

Why Snappi? What drew me in was Snappi’s bold vision and the team’s enthusiasm to bring it to life. Being part of that momentum feels truly inspiring. 

One word to describe Snappi? Epoch – because it marks a new era in Greek banking. 

Venita Kompoura, Product Innovation Manager 

Lived: 3 years in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

Why she returned? After three years of business growth and international exposure, I returned to Greece to be closer to my family and to apply the experience I gained in emerging markets toward the evolving Greek digital ecosystem. I felt a strong personal and professional need to participate in the country’s digital transformation. 

Thoughts on Greece? Greece is a country full of untapped potential, especially in the areas of fintech, digital banking, and consumer innovation. Despite its structural challenges, I believe there is a new generation of users and companies ready to redefine the way we think about finance and digital services. 

Why Snappi? Snappi initially captured my interest as Greece’s first neobank, a rare opportunity to help shape digital banking from the ground up. The prospect of combining startup agility with the structure of a licensed institution aligned perfectly with my experience and ambition to build products that matter. That early vision of pioneering something new in the Greek market was what truly drew me in. 

One word to describe Snappi: Dynamic 
 

One team. One vision. One Greece. 

We’re proud of the people who brought their hearts home and chose to build the future with us. 

Snappi isn’t just another neobank. It’s the first Greek neobank licensed by the European Central Bank, with the team and culture to deliver on human-centered innovation.  

And as AI-powered technologies reshape the world, we believe that putting humans at the center becomes more important than ever.