Entrepreneurial Festival

THE A-Z OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

IN THE HEART OF NICOSIA

Location

Makariou Avenue Nicosia

Language

English/ Greek

Entrepreneurial Festival

THE A-Z OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

IN THE HEART OF NICOSIA

Location

Makariou Avenue Nicosia

Language

English/ Greek

The A-Z of Entrepreneurship in the heart of Nicosia

INSPIRE 2026 is not just another event. It is the spark that ignites ideas, unlocks real success stories and meaningful conversations, and turns a “maybe?” into a sudden “why not?”.

For two full days, in the heart of Nicosia, professionals, creators, dreamers and entrepreneurs step into a world designed to provoke curiosity, challenge assumptions and awaken ambition.

In a world that changes daily — often without warning — Cyprus does not remain a spectator. The centre of Nicosia transforms for two days into an open, living festival of ideas. A place where creativity meets enterprise, technology flirts with imagination and opportunities are everywhere.

INSPIRE 2026 is not something you watch. It is something you live.

More Than a Festival… A Reset

INSPIRE 2026 is not simply a festival. It is a reset. It is Cyprus’ answer to those who want to create something real, bold and human. A place that brings founders, creators, innovators and the next generation together around a shared idea: to push beyond limits and build something that matters — together.

Are you ready to be amazed?

FACTS AND FIGURES

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The Festival

INSPIRE 2026 was born from the belief that powerful stories change everything. Here you will not hear perfect success stories. You will hear about sleepless nights, painful mistakes, frightening risks — and moments that made it all worthwhile. Open discussions, spontaneous panels, fireside chats that feel like conversations between friends, and experiences that put you right in the action. Expect honesty, energy, humour and emotion. Because entrepreneurship is not only strategy — it is courage, passion and persistence.

Beyond the Stories…
• Street food villages & pop-up flavours
• Live bands, DJ sets & creative performances
• Networking spaces
• Media lounges, podcast studios & content corners
• Technology, creativity & innovation zones

All in the centre of Nicosia — for conversations and moments you will remember long after the festival ends.

  • Street food markets
  • Live music & student bands
  • DJ sets & stand-up comedy
  • Interactive networking corners
  • Reporter lounges & podcast booths

All set in the open, urban fabric of downtown Nicosia—inspiring conversations under the sun, and under the stars.

Who Is Inspire 2026 For?

  • Start-up founders & young entrepreneurs seeking direction and momentum
  • CEOs & executives who know change does not wait
  • Professionals considering their next step
  • Small businesses building with persistence and purpose
  • Family businesses & next-generation leaders ready to move forward
  • Investors, mentors & ecosystem professionals
  • Students, dreamers & Gen Z creators
  • Artists, athletes and creators who work with discipline and soul

Previous Speakers & Performers

THE START UP STAGE

Dr Nicodemos Damianou

Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy

THE COCKTAIL STAGE

Charalambos Prountzos

Mayor of Nicosia

OPENING CEREMONY

Demetris Skourides

Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation, and Technology, Republic of Cyprus

OPENING CEREMONY

Themis Georgantas

Journalist

THE INNOVATΟRS’ STAGE

Theodoros Loukaidis

Director General, Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF)

THE INSPIRATION STAGE

Olivia Fotopoulou

Olympian, Track & Field Sprinter

THE START UP STAGE

Panayiotis Philimis

CEO, CYRIC Cyprus Research And Innovation Center Ltd & Gravity VC Fund And Incubator

THE INSPIRATION STAGE

Milan Trajkovic

Olympian, Track & Field – Specializing in the 110m Hurdles

THE INSPIRATION STAGE

George Achilleos

Olympian & World Champion, Skeet Shooting

THE START UP STAGE

Paris Fokaides

Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering at Frederick University, Founder & Managing Director, Euphyia Tech Ltd

THE START UP STAGE

Dora Trachana

Partner, Uni.Fund VC

THE START UP STAGE

Antonis Hadjiantonis

Innovation Director, CYRIC

THE INSPIRATION STAGE

Mikaelo Papadakis

General Manager, TOTAL SPORTS MARKETING

THE “ROAD TO SUCCESS” STAGE

Kyriakos Chrysochos

Group Founder, Cyfield Group

THE START UP STAGE

Carolos Georgallis

CEO, AIFCAP Managers & Partner of Kinisis Ventures Fund

THE START UP STAGE

Giorgos Tsapparellas

Senior Pre-Sales IoT Engineer, CYRIC

CONQUER THE WORLD STAGE

Yannis Matsis

Managing Director, Global Head of Business Promotion, MUFG Investor Services

THE COCKTAIL STAGE

Silia Ioannidou

Journalist, Communication Specialist, Radio Producer, LOVE FM

THE START UP STAGE

Giorgos Mouzouras

Head of Information Technology, Charalambides Christis Ltd

THE “ROAD TO SUCCESS” STAGE

George Georgiou

Journalist

Key Topics

SUCCESS STAGE

The Road to Success

Entrepreneurs from every sector, companies of all sizes and CEOs of major organisations share their personal success stories. The Road to Success focuses on the journey behind each achievement: the endless hours, the big decisions, the mistakes, the turning points and the anxieties that shape both people and businesses. Business leaders and CEOs share stories that rarely make the headlines but ultimately define their path. A theme for those who understand that real value is built step by step.

BEYOND BORDERS STAGE

Global Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders Conquering the World

Success does not stop at the edge of the map. Global Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders: Conquer the World brings together every journey that connects Cyprus with the world — and the world with Cyprus. From Cypriots excelling abroad, to Cypriot companies expanding into new markets, to international entrepreneurs who have chosen Cyprus as a base for growth.

DISRUPTION STAGE

Game changers and Innovators Rewriting the Rules

Innovation is not about improvement. It is about disruption. Game Changers and Innovators focuses on people and organisations that did not follow the market — they forced it to adapt. These are the stories of entrepreneurs who dared to think differently, invest in new ideas, technologies and ways of working, and transform entire sectors of the economy.

NEW GEN STAGE

The New Generation Leaders – Family Business, Succession and the Rising Stars of Cypriot Entrepreneurship
Cypriot entrepreneurship has already passed into the hands of the second, third and, in some cases, the fourth generation. This marks a profound shift, placing leaders in their 30s, 40s and 50s at the helm of Cypriot businesses. Millennials and Gen Z now represent the new leadership of the business landscape. New-generation business leaders share their thoughts, concerns, ambitions and expectations. The New Generation Leaders focuses on the moment when ambition meets responsibility: young leaders, successors of family businesses and rising executives building influence before they have decades of history behind them. It is about changing mindsets, managing expectations, making difficult decisions early — and leading an organisation forward without disregarding its past. A theme for those who do not wait their turn — they create it.

STARTUP STAGE

Start Your Business Here: From Idea to Traction

Every great journey begins with a small, bold “yes… I’ll do it”. Start Your Business Here: From Idea to Traction is dedicated to moment zero: the idea, the first step, the first risk and the first “how do I make this work?”. Stories of start-ups that endured, practical discussions on building something from nothing and clear answers to the most critical question — funding.

FUTURE OF WORK STAGE

Work and Career Reimagined: Skills, Intelligence, and Opportunity in a changing world

Work is not simply changing form. It is changing meaning. Work and Career Reimagined highlights a new reality where roles transform, skills become currency and artificial intelligence reshapes how we work — not only what we do. It is a theme for people who do not wait to see what happens in the market but want to build their place in it: as employees, leaders, creators or new entrepreneurs.

SUSTAINABILITY STAGE

Business with Impact: The ESG, CRS and Corporate Governance Champions

There comes a point in every company’s journey when the question changes. It is no longer only “how much are we growing and how much are we earning?” but “how are we growing, how responsible are we, and what are we giving back to society?”. Business with Impact: The ESG, CSR and Corporate Governance Champions is the session that speaks about this shift — businesses that realised responsibility is not a cost, but a direction.

PREVIOUS STRATEGIC PARTNER

PREVIOUS DIAMOND SPONSOR

PREVIOUS GOLD SPONSORS

PREVIOUS CITY LIFESTYLE SPONSOR

PREVIOUS PROUD SPONSOR

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PREVIOUS SILVER SPONSORS

PREVIOUS ACADEMIC PARTNER

PREVIOUS PADEL & WELL-BEING SPONSOR

PREVIOUS DESTINATION PARTNER

PREVIOUS MOBILITY PARTNER

PREVIOUS DATA ANALYTICS PARTNER

PREVIOUS SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT PARTNER

PREVIOUS SUPPORTERS

PREVIOUS OFFICIAL SUPPORTERS

PREVIOUS ACCESSIBILITY PARTNER

Community Partner

WITH THE SUPPORT OF

ORGANISERS

PREVIOUS STRATEGIC PARTNER

PREVIOUS PLATINUM SPONSOR

PREVIOUS GOLD SPONSOR

PREVIOUS SILVER SPONSOR

PREVIOUS STAGE SPONSORS

PREVIOUS PANEL SPONSOR

PREVIOUS SPONSORS

Previous Podcast Presenter

Previous Partner

Previous Academic Partner

Previous Community Partner

Previous Innovation Partner

Previous Mobility Partner

Previous Technology Partner

Previous Sustainable Transport Partner

Previous Sustainability Partner

Previous Supporters

Previous Street Food Sponsor

Previous Coffee partner

Previous Beverage Sponsor

With the Support of

COMMUNICATION SPONSOR

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