At Gamescom 2025 in Cologne, Germany, this August, the public was introduced for the first time to Couch Heroes, an innovative project developed by Vardis Vardinogiannis. The platform seeks to bring a fresh perspective to creativity in the new era of digital entertainment.
Vardis Vardinogiannis—the son of Yiannis Vardinogiannis—recently told Zappit that the idea behind Couch Heroes was born naturally from his own passion for gaming, as well as from time spent playing with his family and friends. While studying abroad, he found that video games became a channel of communication with his loved ones back in Greece.
What is Couch Heroes?
In essence, Couch Heroes is a platform that redefines the gaming experience, creating a bridge between gamers and developers while promoting community empowerment and user engagement. According to Vardinogiannis, the application will be completely free, and users will be able to earn gifts and rewards for the games they already play.
The birth of Couch Heroes
Couch Heroes was founded in 2021, springing from Vardinogiannis’ vision as a start-up in the fast-growing world of eGaming. The company has since attracted talented professionals from more than 20 countries, unlocking the vast potential of the video games sector.
Coming from a family with a strong entrepreneurial background, Vardinogiannis Jr., who graduated from Georgetown University in 2019, assumed the role of CEO with the goal of expanding the video game market through a gamified platform that benefits both developers and players.
Since November 2021, he has partnered with Markellos Harinos, Aris Konstantinidis, and Ioannis Sourdis to lay the foundations for an eGaming company that would also help bring new Greek-made video games to life.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Vardinogiannis wrote: “From our humble beginnings to a powerhouse of 50 talented people, the gaming startup has come a long way—especially considering they come from more than 20 different countries. Today, we are fully organized across all departments, working with passion and creativity to create unforgettable gaming experiences. It’s truly inspiring to see how far we’ve come.”
Alter Ego Ventures steps in
The start-up has successfully completed two funding rounds. Its shareholding structure also includes Alter Ego Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Alter Ego Media, which holds a 1% stake worth 110,000 euros. For Alter Ego Media, this is another investment in innovative, technology-driven companies, reflecting its interest in the growth potential of eGaming and in creating synergies with its other activities.
With headquarters in both Cyprus and Greece, Couch Heroes operates under the motto “Gamers First,” fostering a company culture and structure that encourage creativity and innovation. A key goal of the platform is to breathe new life into the Greek gaming community while serving as inspiration for the next wave of game development in the country.
First playtest scheduled for November
The platform’s first release will be for PC, followed by console editions expected by 2027. As Vardinogiannis revealed to Zappit, the first public playtest will be held this November via the Couch Heroes Discord.
He admits that balancing a passion for gaming with the realities of running a business remains a challenge. Success, he says, requires a solid business model that can withstand the emotional highs and lows of creativity.
Vardinogiannis also points out that while Greece has an abundance of talent in game development, what is lacking is substantial support. Gaming, he emphasizes, is now a larger industry than both film and music. He believes the conditions exist for Greece to establish itself as a gaming hub.
He also offers advice for young people looking to take their first steps in game development, stressing how fortunate he feels to turn his passion into a career and to work in such an exciting field.
Expanding into cybersecurity
About a year ago, the family office of Giannis V. Vardinogiannis launched another tech-focused venture: ThreatScene Greece. According to the General Commercial Registry (GEMI), the company was established on August 7 with initial share capital of 1 million euros. Through this vehicle, Vardis Vardinogiannis is also indirectly involved in the cybersecurity sector.
ThreatScene Greece is a subsidiary of the Cyprus-based Gloryband Holding. Its first board of directors includes: Nick Giannakakis (Chairman), Katerina Tasiopoulou (CEO), Vardis Vardinogiannis (Board Member), Alexandros Bregiannis (Board Member), and George Menexis (Board Member).
Shortly after its founding, ThreatScene Greece announced two institutional-level initiatives: the new Cybersecurity Code for Shipping and the Risk Assessment Certificate.
