Makarios Avenue in Nicosia is being transformed for two days into a large meeting point of people, ideas, entrepreneurship and opportunities.
The countdown is over. Read further to learn about everything that will happen today, 7 October.
In just a few hours, INSPIRE 2026 opens its gates in Nicosia, transforming Makarios Avenue into a unique business and cultural meeting point, where entrepreneurship meets innovation, networking, music, food and entertainment.
On 7 and 8 October, Nicosia is not just hosting another business event. INSPIRE is taking to the streets and creating a different setting, far from the traditional image of conferences with rows of seats, strict distance between the stage and the audience and an agenda that ends when the end credits roll.
INSPIRE 2026 brings together more than 150 speakers , on 7+ stages , through 60+ panels, fireside chats and keynotes.
CEOs and founders, entrepreneurs and innovators, international business leaders and creators will share stories of entrepreneurship, success, failure, risk, change and restart.
They will not only talk about the outcome, but also about the journey that preceded it. About the difficult decisions, the mistakes, the failures, the moments of doubt, and those decisions that ultimately changed the course of a life or a business.
At the same time, more than 100 podcasts, 3 networking zones, 2 exclusive VIP events, 3 DJs, 1 stand-up comedy show and a street food experience complete the program.
And this is perhaps one of the key features of INSPIRE: that inspiration and opportunities are not only found on the stages.
With more than 6,000 visitors, the meetings that will take place between the stages can prove to be just as important as the discussions on them. An acquaintance can develop into a collaboration, a conversation into a business idea, and a story can be the reason for someone to start their own journey.
Two days. One city. Endless inspiration.
THE DAY'S PROGRAM
The first day of INSPIRE 2026, Wednesday, 7 October, begins with the official opening and continues with parallel activities in different stages, covering topics such as entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, artificial intelligence, the work of the future, startups and leadership.
15:15 – 15:30
Brass Ensemble of the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra
Zone 1, Main Stage – Opening Ceremony
15:30 – 15:40
The Grand Opening of INSPIRE 2026 – Opening Welcome
Zone 1, Main Stage
Speaker: Themis Georgantas, journalist
15:40 – 16:00
Inspiring Cyprus: Leadership, Collaboration and the Power to Shape the Future
Zone 1, Main Stage
Special opening roundtable with the participation of Charalambos Prountzos, Maria Tsiakka Olympiou, Irine Gregoriou, Demetris Skourides and George Michael.
Moderator: Themis Georgantas.
16:00 – 16:20
The Journey of My Life: From Entrepreneurship to Giving Back
Zone 1, Main Stage
Fireside chat with John Christodoulou , Chairman & Owner, Yianis Group Ltd.
Moderator: Chrysanthos Tsouroullis.
16:00 – 18:00
Live Link by Super FM @DJ Booth
Zone 10, Street Food – Entertainment
16:20 – 16:25
Closing with Inspiration
Zone 1, Main Stage
Completion of the Grand Opening by Themis Georgantas.
16:30 – 16:35
Innovation Cyprus 2.0 – Welcome by Stage Presenter
Zone 3, National Bank of Greece – NBG Start Up Stage
With Anna Zongou, Marketing & Public Relations, National Bank.
16:35 – 16:50
Innovation Cyprus 2.0 – Welcome Addresses
Zone 3, NBG Start Up Stage
With George Agioutantis, Konstantinos Kollias, Marios Dikaiakos and Dr. Spyros Arsenis.
16:45 – 17:25
Self-Made Entrepreneurs: Built from Scratch – My Entrepreneurial Journey
Zone 4, Pinolo Restaurant – Success Stage
Moderator: Tasos Zorbas.
Speakers: Nicoletta Charalambous, Savvas A. Liasis.
Moderator/coordination: Philokypros Roussounides.
16:50 – 17:20
Fireside Chat
Zone 3, NBG Start Up Stage
Moderator: Dr. Spyros Arsenis.
Speakers: Dr. Nicodemos Damianou, Ernestos Panayiotou.
17:00 – 17:40
The Game Changers
Zone 1, Main Stage – Disruption Stage
Moderator: Gogo Alexandrinou.
Speakers: George Giovanni, Constantinos Kapodistrias, Elena Kontou, Christos Onoufriou, Christoforos Potamitis .
17:00 – 17:30
Employers of Choice
Zone 2, 360 Stage – Future of Work Stage
Moderator: Emily Antoniou.
Speakers: Marios Antoniou, Evangelia Aspromalli, Maria Karantoni.
17:00 – 17:10
Empowering the Next Generation
Zone 5, Outdoor Stage – Young Ideas. Real Impact.
With Nikolas Pantelis.
17:10 – 17:25
The Lasting Impact of Entrepreneurship Education
Zone 5, Outdoor Stage
Moderator: Nikolas Pantelis.
Speaker: Miriam K. Marancos.
17:20 – 17:30
Keynote Speech
Zone 3, NBG Start Up Stage
Speaker: John Christodoulou.
17:25 – 18:05
CEO Stories: The Journey to the Top
Zone 4, Pinolo Restaurant – Success Stage
Moderator: Nestoras Vasiliou.
Speakers: George Metzakis, Christiana Agroti, Chrysanthos Tsouroullis, Charalambos Panayiotou.
17:25 – 17:40
Young Entrepreneurs in Action – Team Showcase I: LIVIA – Intelligence for Smarter Farming
Zone 5, Outdoor Stage
Moderator: Nikolas Pantelis.
Speaker: Christos Charalambous, Founder & CEO, LIVIA.
17:30 – 18:00
Innovation in Established Businesses
Zone 3, NBG Start Up Stage
Moderator: Michalis Athanasiou.
Speakers: Stavrinos Kyriakou, Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, Orestis Dounias, Dinos Lefkaritis .
17:30 – 17:40
My Dream Job: Directing Stories Beyond Borders
Zone 2, 360 Stage – Future of Work Stage
Moderator: Marinos Hadjivasiliou.
Speaker: Andreas Sheittanis.
17:40 – 17:50
From Idea to Industry: Building Every Step of the Way
Zone 1, Main Stage – Disruption Stage
Moderator: Daphne Prodromou.
Speaker: Chrystallena Poulli.
17:40 – 17:50
My Dream Job: Choosing the Role of a Lifetime
Zone 2, 360 Stage – Future of Work Stage
Moderator: Marinos Hadjivasiliou.
Speaker: Daphne Alexander.
17:40 – 17:55
Young Entrepreneurs in Action – Team Showcase II: HerShield – Discreet Protection When It Matters Most
Zone 5, Outdoor Stage
Moderator: Nikolas Pantelis.
Speaker: Iro Christou.
17:50 – 18:30
The Innovators: Innovation, Research and Development in Cypriot Businesses
Zone 1, Main Stage – Disruption Stage
Moderator: Theodoros Loukaidis.
Speakers: Dr. Symeon Kassianides, Dimitris Kyriakou, Christos Ellinas, Nicolas Aristocleous, Dr. Vasileios Drakonakis.
17:50 – 18:00
Finding Your Way: Building a Career That Feels Right
Zone 2, 360 Stage – Future of Work Stage
Moderator: Emily Antoniou.
Speaker: Efi Chrysochou.
17:55 – 18:10
Young Entrepreneurs in Action – Team Showcase III: Clearflow – Reinventing Plastic Recycling
Zone 5, Outdoor Stage
Moderator: Nikolas Pantelis
Speaker: Christos Phylactou.
18:00 – 18:10
TED Talk – “Turning Ideas into Impact: From Concept to Growth”
Zone 3, NBG Start Up Stage
With Marios Pafitis and Alexandra Dimitriadou, MammoCheck.
18:00 – 18:10
My Dream Job: Turning Influence into Opportunity
Zone 2, 360 Stage – Future of Work Stage
Moderator: Nicholas Theodoulou.
Speaker: Margarita Orlova .
18:00 – 21:00
Live Music by DJ A Chris
Zone 10, Street Food – Entertainment
18:05 – 18:30
Self-Made Entrepreneurs: Building from the Ground Up
Zone 4, Pinolo Restaurant – Success Stage
Moderator: Philokypros Roussounides .
Speakers: Pantelis Ftellecha , Dr. Alexandros Michaelides .
18:10 – 18:40
Technology Transfer in Research
Zone 3, NBG Start Up Stage
Moderator: Panos Markopoulos.
Speakers: Marios Avraamides, Marina Neophytou, Alexandros Charalambides, Dr. Stylianos Yiatros, Pavlos Chatzidimitriou.
18:10 – 18:50
Jobs and Skills of the Future
Zone 2, 360 Stage – Future of Work Stage
Moderator: Emily Antoniou.
Speakers: Dr. Maria Charalampous, Savvas Socratous, Dr. George Horattas, Dr. Marinos Stavrou, Nadia Karayianni.
18:10 – 18:30
Interactive Discussion: What Does It Take to Turn an Idea into Action?
Zone 5, Outdoor Stage
Moderator: Nikolas Pantelis.
With the participation of Christos Charalambous, Iro Christos and Christos Phylaktou.
18:30 – 18:40
From a Single Salon to a Beauty and Wellness Empire
Zone 1, Main Stage – Disruption Stage
Moderator: Daphne Prodromou.
Speaker: Andrie Georgiou.
18:30 – 19:10
The Leaders Behind the Business
Zone 4, Pinolo Restaurant – Success Stage
Moderator: Celia Hadjichristodoulou.
Speakers: Christos V. Vasiliou, Michalis Antoniades, Marina Grigoriou, Georgia Lefkariti.
18:40 – 19:20
Small Teams. Big Disruption.
Zone 1, Main Stage – Disruption Stage
Moderator: Theodoros Loukaidis.
Speakers: Andreas Charalambous, Natalia Miranchuk, Evagoras Xydas, Dinos Matheou.
18:40 – 19:20
Innovation-Promotion Initiatives and Institutional Stakeholders
Zone 3, NBG Start Up Stage
Moderator: Maniana Kalogeraki.
Speakers: Charalambos Prountzos, George Pantelides, Lia Joan Riris.
18:50 – 19:20
AI: Working with Intelligence
Zone 2, 360 Stage – Future of Work Stage
Moderator: Emily Antoniou.
Speakers: George Malekkos, Andreas Kitsios.
19:10 – 19:40
Leadership in Practice
Zone 4, Pinolo Restaurant – Success Stage
Moderator: Harrys Michaelides.
Speakers: Andreas Michael, Panagiotis Trisokkas.
19:20 – 19:40
AI: Hype and Reality
Zone 1, Main Stage – Disruption Stage
Moderator: Maria Ftelleha.
Speaker: Demetris Trihinas.
19:20 – 19:50
Innovation & Funds
Zone 3, NBG Start Up Stage
Moderator: Dr. Spyros Arsenis.
Speakers: Dora Trachana, George Karantonis, Yannis Tsepis, Melina Mai, Thomas Athanasiou.
19:20 – 19:30
From the Courtroom to the Start-up: Reinventing Success
Zone 2, 360 Stage – Future of Work Stage
Moderator: Emily Antoniou.
Speaker: Pella Dimitriades.
20:30 – 21:15
Stand-up Comedy Show
Zone 5, Outdoor Stage – Entertainment
With Constantinos Psillides, Christina Tryphonos, Christodoulos Demetriou, Vasilis Panayiotou and Paolo M.
21:00 – 23:00
Live Music by DJ Andy M
Zone 10, Street Food – Entertainment
And the experience continues
INSPIRE 2026 does not end at the stages. The program is designed so that business knowledge, networking and entertainment coexist in the same space, creating a two-day event with continuous opportunities for meetings, discussions and new ideas.
For two days, Makariou Avenue becomes the point where entrepreneurship meets the city.
October 7 and 8. INSPIRE 2026.
Two days. One city. Endless inspiration.
INFORMATION
Strategic Partner: Cyta Business
Platinum Sponsor: Bank of Cyprus
Innovation Partner: ISE
Gold Sponsors: Cyfield, Zorbas Group
Silver Sponsor : Bioland Energy, Petrolina (Holdings) Public Ltd
Stage Sponsors : National Bank, KPMG Cyprus, Invest Cyprus - CIPA, Odyssey Cybersecurity
Academic Associate : University of Nicosia
Sponsored by : IMR/UNIVERSITY OF NICOSIA, HRA, Henry 's by Columbia, 33East
Panel Sponsor : Allwyn Cyprus
Technology Sponsor: Abasis.AI
Hospitality Sponsor: Hilton Nicosia
Supporting Organisations: KEPA-SkillsCyprus, National Betting Authority
Exhibitors : Drastyc, Emphasys centre, GrantXpert, onlyseo, Photos Photiades Breweries, Wolt, Nicosia Marathon, Giorgio Armani, Factorial, Consulting Ltd, Bank of Cyprus Nicosia Marathon
Sponsors : Cloud Office, CP Herbal Skin Care, Farm Wisely Cyprus, Chr. Kapodistrias & Sons Ltd, Superhome Center, Alphamega Hypermarkets, Mimajo Healthy Snacks Ltd, Robura Asset Management, University of Limassol, Voici la Mode Group of Companies
Mobility Partner: ChaPilakoutasGroup
Wellbeing Partner: Wayfitco
Sustainability Partner: EAC
With the support of: Cyprus Computer Society, CITEA, CCCI, CPMA, OEB, Youth Board of Cyprus, TechIsland, StudentLife Academy
Communication Sponsors: ALPHA Cyprus, CBN, IN Business, REPORTER, SuperFM
Organizer: IMH
Under the auspices of the Municipality of Nicosia
(Source: InBusinessNews)
