For an idea to succeed, it is not enough for it to be a good one; it also needs the right organisation, belief, consistency and the right partners, stressed the Executive Director, Consumer Banking at the Bank of Cyprus, Irene Grigoriou.
“Banking support comes in there. The bank operates not only as a financier, but also as an adviser,” she said characteristically, speaking at the opening ceremony of Inspire Festival 2026, during the panel discussion “Inspiring Cyprus: Leadership, Collaboration and the Power to shape the future”.
She also explained that banks, as the lifeblood of the Cypriot economy, can provide practical support to an entrepreneur. “With 127 years of presence, the Bank of Cyprus finances most businesses in Cyprus and understands the difficulties, as well as the pitfalls into which an entrepreneur can fall,” noted Grigoriou.
Collaboration, according to her, is the keyword. “All stakeholders – the state, banks, telecommunications companies and businesses – can turn to our advantage, and to the advantage of our young people who want to invest, work and innovate in Cyprus, the fact that we are a small place. Together with the business community, all stakeholders can work together to create a very good place where a young person can start their own business,” she pointed out characteristically.
The discussion was moderated by journalist Themis Georgantas.
