.png)
.png)
.png)
IEF Overview
The Centre for Entrepreneurship (C4E) at the University of Cyprus, in collaboration with PwC Cyprus, hosts the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum, a recurring event designed to foster dialogue and cooperation between academics, industry professionals, policy-makers, and entrepreneurs. The forum serves as a vibrant platform to discuss the journey from research to business innovation, touching upon current debates and future trends. It aims to highlight promising research findings that could have commercial or societal impact.
​
As a special feature, each forum includes a Research Results Exhibition organized by the University of Cyprus' Research and Innovation Support Service. This exhibition aims to pool multidisciplinary expertise from a range of sectors, including academic researchers, professionals, and business leaders. The goal is to foster synergies that can lead to new research opportunities, economic development, and technological innovation.
IEF Objectives
Explore current discussions and future trends shaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cyprus and beyond.
​
​
01
Research to Entrepreneurship: Navigating the Pathway
Tap into a vibrant regional ecosystem, where academic rigor meets professional expertise, all committed to fostering social, economic, and environmental progress.
02
Networking Opportunities
Announcement of the winners of the Cyprus Entrepreneurship Competition 2025 for both Accelerator and Launchpad.
03
Cyprus Entrepreneurship Competition Winners Award Ceremony
01.
The PwC Distinguished Lecture
Fueling the Future: How Finance Drives Entrepreneurship and Innovation, with keynote speaker Eleni Vrettou, CEO of CrediaBank.
02.
Panel Discussion
A dynamic panel discussion featuring industry experts to delve deeper into key topics and share valuable insights.
03.
CyEC 2025 Winners Awards
Awards will be presented to the winners of the CyEC 2025 Accelerator and Launchpad tracks by the Minister of Commerce and Energy of Cyprus.
The Forum Structure
Keynote Speakers
FEATURED EXPERTS
Chief Executive Officer, CrediaBank
Eleni Vrettou
Distinguished Lecturer
Eleni Vrettou has more than 25 years of international experience in Banks in Greece and abroad, specializing in corporate and investment banking. She has been CrediaBank’s (previously Attica Bank) Chief Executive Officer since September 2022 having designed and handled the Bank’s transformation and development in Greece and beyond
Mrs. Vrettou held the position of Executive General Manager, Chief of Corporate and Investment Banking at Piraeus Bank Group. Prior to that, she worked for 14 years at HSBC Bank Plc in Greece and the United Kingdom. Her most recent position at HSBC was that of Managing Director and Head of Wholesale Banking Greece, while previously, she was Head of Multinationals and Business Development at HSBC for the CEE, CIS, Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa regions.
​
She also held the position of Chief Strategy and Investor Relations Officer at Lamda Development. Between 2019 and 2021, she served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Piraeus Factors S.A, Piraeus Leasing and Piraeus Leases, and a member of the Board of Directors of ETVA VIPE.
​
She is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credia Bancassurance Agency and an independent non-executive member of the BoD of STARBULK Carriers Corp and MOTODYNAMICS S.A.
Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy
Nicodemos Damianou
Keynote Speaker
Mr Nicodemos Damianou was born in Lefkosia in 1973. He holds a Sc.B Degree in Computer Science from Brown University USA, a Ph.D in Computer Security & Policy-based Management of enterprise-wide Computer Networks from Imperial College UK, a Diploma of Information Security from Imperial College, and an MBA from the University of Cyprus.
He is an IT and Information Security professional with many years of experience in Payment Systems and Fintech, Risk Management Methodologies and Digital Transformation Technologies.
​
He served at managerial positions within the Bank of Cyprus Group. From November 2017 to January 2024 he was the General Manager of JCC Payment Systems Ltd.
​
He is married to Rodoula Damianou and has two daughters, Eleni and Sophia.
The Panel
FEATURED EXPERTS
_edited.jpg)
Agenda
FEB 18 2026
11:15 -11:20
Opening remarks, Professor Christos Nicolaides - C4E Director
11:20 -11:25
Welcoming Note, Professor Tasos Christofides – Rector of the University of Cyprus
11:25 -11:30
Welcoming Note, Michalis Stavrides – Partner at PwC Cyprus
11:30 -11:45
Keynote speech, Dr. Nicodemos Damianou – Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy
11:45 -12:30
The PwC Distinguished Lecture by Eleni Vretou – CEO CrediaBank | Fueling the Future: How Finance Drives Entrepreneurship and Innovation
12:30 - 12:45
Q&A
12:45 - 13:30
Panel Discussion
13:30 - 13:45
CyEC 2025 – Award Ceremony – Mr Michael Damianos, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry
13:45 - 15:00
Networking Lunch
The Venue
University Avenue 1, CY 2109, Nicosia
Auditorium B108
Anastasios Leventis Council & Senate Building
University of Cyprus
Strategic Parner
Organizers
.png)
