Celebrating the EY Rising Star Award: A Milestone in Eunoia’s Journey 

Last week, our CEO, Stefan Farrugia, received the prestigious EY Rising Star Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This recognition is not just a personal achievement for Stefan but a testament to the journey of Eunoia – a journey defined by bold vision, relentless innovation, and a commitment to creating meaningful impact for our clients, our team, and the industries we serve. 

As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on what it means, how we got here, and what lies ahead for Eunoia as we continue to grow from a small company on a small island into a global player in data and AI. 

A Vision That Started with “Beautiful Thinking” 

When Stefan founded Eunoia in 2017, he had one clear goal: to transform how businesses harness the power of their data. The name “Eunoia,” meaning “beautiful thinking,” reflects this ethos. It’s not just about building solutions – it’s about rethinking how businesses can use data to solve problems, unlock opportunities, and create competitive advantages. 

From those early days as a start-up in San Ġwann, Eunoia has grown into a team of over 40 talented professionals with offices in Malta and Cyprus. We’ve worked across industries – finance, retail, iGaming, maritime, and insurance – delivering solutions that modernise systems, enhance decision-making through AI, and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. 

But what has always set us apart is our belief that technology is only as powerful as the people behind it

The Power of Partnerships 

At Eunoia, we don’t see ourselves as vendors – we see ourselves as partners. Every project begins with listening to our clients’ unique challenges and co-creating solutions that deliver long-term value. 

This philosophy has driven some of our most impactful work: 

  • Helping businesses modernise legacy systems into scalable cloud-based platforms that improve efficiency and agility. 
  • Building AI-powered accelerators that automate processes and provide actionable insights. 
  • Developing CFOUR, our compliance software that helps companies meet EU regulations while building trust and transparency. 

Our approach is simple: success isn’t measured by short-term wins but by the lasting impact we create for our clients. 

    A Team That Makes It All Possible 

    As Stefan often says: “An entrepreneur is nothing without the team behind him – the people who execute the dreams.” 

    The heart of Eunoia is our incredible team of “Eunoians.” With an impressive 85% retention rate over three years, we’ve built a culture where innovation thrives because people feel supported and valued. Through continuous learning initiatives, we’ve delivered over 800 hours of training to empower our team and ensure they stay ahead in this fast-evolving industry. 

    Many of our team members have grown from trainees into leaders who now manage their own projects – proof that investing in people creates exponential returns. 

    Technology with Purpose 

    We live in exciting times where technology – especially AI – is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. But with great power comes great responsibility. At Eunoia, we believe technology should be a support system for humanity, not something to fear. 

    Our upcoming Biagio ESG analytics platform is an example of this belief in action. Designed to help businesses align with EU climate goals, it demonstrates how technology can drive sustainability while delivering business value. 

    As AI continues to evolve, so will the demand for quality data. The more data we generate and feed into AI systems, the more intelligence will emerge – and with it, endless possibilities to revolutionise industries like healthcare, logistics, and beyond. 

    Why This Award Matters 

    The EY Rising Star Award is more than just recognition – it’s validation of what we stand for at Eunoia: 

    • For Our Clients: It reflects the trust they place in us to solve their biggest challenges with innovative solutions tailored to their needs. 
    • For Our Team: It celebrates their hard work, creativity, and commitment to excellence every day. 
    • For Malta: It showcases what’s possible when a small company on a small island dreams big. 

    As Stefan said during his acceptance speech: “This award belongs to everyone who believed in our vision – our incredible team at Eunoia who bring ideas to life every day, our clients who trust us as partners in their digital transformation journeys, and my family who supports my crazy ideas.” 

    What’s Next for Eunoia? 

    This milestone is just the beginning. As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, our focus remains on three key priorities: 

    Global Expansion: Building on our success in Cyprus, we’re entering new markets like Dubai and East Europe to bring our solutions to more organisations worldwide. 

    Sustainability Leadership: Launching ESG analytics tools that help businesses thrive while contributing to a greener planet. 

    Talent Development: Continuing to invest in our people through mentorship programs, hackathons, and structured learning initiatives. 

    Our dream is simple yet ambitious: to become a global leader in data and AI while staying true to our roots – a company from Malta proving that small islands can achieve big things. 

    A Message of Gratitude 

    Icon of quotes next to a client testimonial, highlighting the role of advanced analytics in legacy system migration.

    To everyone who has been part of this journey – thank you. To our clients who trust us with their most critical challenges, to our team who pour their hearts into everything they do, and to the wider business community for fostering an environment where innovation can thrive – we couldn’t have done this without you. 

    “We build solutions that outlast contracts because we believe in creating something bigger than ourselves.” That’s the spirit of Eunoia – and it’s what will continue driving us forward.

    – Stefan Farrugia