Brighton Hive: Building Business as an Ecosystem

What if the most valuable businesses of the future are not standalone companies, but ecosystems?

That question sits at the heart of Brighton Hive, a multi-venture ecosystem founded by Kyriakos Baxevanis and May Chunladecha. Built over 18 years, Brighton Hive challenges the traditional notion of business as a standalone, profit-maximising entity and instead positions it as an interconnected force for economic, social, and human value.

The journey began in 2008, at a time of financial uncertainty, when Kyriakos and May launched Little Jasmine Therapies & Spa from their home. It was not just a business decision, it was a necessity. What followed was not simply growth, but a redefinition of what growth could look like. Today, Brighton Hive encompasses Little Jasmine Therapies & Spa, Nostos Restaurant, Nostos Catering UK, Be Well Live Well, and The Big Fat Greek Club, five ventures operating across wellbeing, hospitality, and community engagement.

The structure is intentional. Each business exists independently, yet none operate in isolation. Together, they form a system designed to create connection between people, sectors, and ideas. In an era where many businesses are becoming increasingly transactional, Brighton Hive has doubled down on relationships as its primary currency.

This is a direct response to a wider shift. Consumers, employees, and communities are no longer satisfied with businesses that simply deliver a product or service. They expect contribution. They expect responsibility. Increasingly, they expect leadership.

Brighton Hive has positioned itself at the intersection of these expectations. Its ventures are built around a core principle of improving physical and emotional wellbeing at scale. Whether through a treatment at Little Jasmine, a shared meal at Nostos, a corporate activation through Be Well Live Well, or a networking experience at The Big Fat Greek Club, the intention is consistent. The aim is to create environments where people feel better, think better, and connect more meaningfully.

The ambition extends beyond commercial activity. Brighton Hive actively invests in the wider ecosystem through partnerships that range from independent founders to multinational organisations. Over nearly two decades, these collaborations have contributed to a more connected and resilient local economy. Its ongoing support for charities such as Rockinghorse and The Starr Trust reflects a belief that businesses should not sit adjacent to social impact but be fully integrated within it.

This philosophy also extends into education. As Chair of the Advisory Board for the University of Brighton’s School of Business and Law, Kyriakos contributes to shaping how future leaders think about business. By bridging academia and industry, the aim is to embed entrepreneurial thinking, real-world awareness, and a stronger sense of purpose from the outset.

Sustainability is approached in the same way. It is not treated as a layer of marketing, but as an operational responsibility. From responsible sourcing and waste reduction within Nostos Restaurant to broader environmental considerations across the group, Brighton Hive recognises that long-term success and long-term responsibility are inseparable.

At its core, Brighton Hive represents a different model. One that moves away from fragmented thinking and towards a more integrated, ecosystem-driven approach. It asks not only how a business grows, but what it contributes.

And it challenges others to rethink the role their businesses play within the systems around them.

As Kyriakos Baxevanis puts it:

“We are entering an era where business as usual is no longer enough. The most valuable businesses will not be the ones that operate in isolation, but the ones that build ecosystems around them. Profit is the outcome. Contribution is the strategy.”

https://brightonhive.co.uk/