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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.
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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.
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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
Eleni Vrettou has over 25 years of international banking experience in Greece and abroad, specializing in corporate and investment banking. Since September 2022, she has served as Chief Executive Officer of CrediaBank (formerly Attica Bank), where she has led and managed the bank’s transformation and growth both domestically and internationally.
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Ms. Vrettou previously held the role of Senior General Manager and Chief of Corporate and Investment Banking at Piraeus Bank Group. Prior to that, she spent 14 years at HSBC Bank Plc in Greece and the United Kingdom. Her most recent position at HSBC was Managing Director and Head of Wholesale Banking Greece, and earlier she served as Head of Multinationals and Business Development for the CEE, CIS, Mediterranean, and Sub-Saharan Africa regions.
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She also held the position of Chief Strategy and Investor Relations Officer at Lamda Development. Between 2019 and 2021, she served as Chair of the Boards of Piraeus Factors S.A., Piraeus Leasing, and Piraeus Leases, and was also a Board Member of ETBA VIPE.
Today, she is Chair of the Board of CrediaBancassurance Agency and serves as an Independent Non-Executive Board Member of STARBULK Carriers Corp. and Motodynamics S.A.
Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy
Nicodemos Damianou
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.
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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.
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He is married to Rodoula Damianou and has two daughters, Eleni and Sophia.
The Panel
FEATURED EXPERTS
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Agenda
FEB 18 2026
10:00
TBA
12:00
TBA
13:00
Lunch
14:00
TBA
16:00
TBA
16:00
TBA
The Venue
1 University Avenue, CY 2109, Nicosia
Auditorium B108
Anastasios Leventis Council & Senate Building
University of Cyprus
Strategic Parner
Organizers
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