PRELIMINARY AGENDA
Monday, 3 November 2025
08:30 - 09:15
Registration & Networking Coffee
09:15 - 09:45
Opening Remarks
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Welcome Addresses:
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Maria Panayiotou, President, Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA)
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Evgenios Evgeniou, Chairman, Invest Cyprus
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Theodoros Loukaidis, Director General, Research & Innovation Foundation (IDEK)
THE REGULATORS’ AGENDA
09:45 - 10:15
Keynote Address by Dr. George Theocharides, Chairman, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC)
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Keynote Address by Michael Fekkas, A' Vice-Chair of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission
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Fireside Chat with the Regulators
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Moderator:
Panikkos Vakkou, Vice-Chairman, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission
​THE EUROPEAN ALTERNATIVES MARKET – INVESTMENT OUTLOOK 2026
10:15 - 10:50
Description:
An expert outlook on the trends shaping the European alternatives market, from growth drivers to asset class performance and investor sentiment heading into 2026.
Rishi Muktidoot, Director, Investment Strategy, BlackRock
Navigating the Macro Environment and the Role of Non-Traditional Asset Classes
The presentation will examine key macroeconomic trends shaping the global investment landscape and highlight how non-traditional asset classes can enhance diversification, risk-adjusted returns, and resilience within portfolios.
Rishi Muktidoot, Director, Investment Strategy, BlackRock
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Private Markets – Where are we, and where are we going?
Presentation will cover the subdued state of private markets, highlighting ongoing sluggishness in deal activity, fundraising, and liquidity, with some green-shoots emerging and poised to extend into 2026. It also explores the significant growth and diversification of evergreen funds, the continued strength of co-investment opportunities, and the evolving landscape of fundraising.
Antony Anastasiadis, Managing Director, Hamilton Lane
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Presentation by:
Marine Duverger, Director, Client Portfolio Management, Apollo Global Management
10:50- 11:05
Questions & Answers
11:05 - 11:35
Networking Coffee Break
AIFs: CAPITAL RAISING & CROSS-BORDER DISTRIBUTION
11:35 - 12:05
A strategic discussion on attracting and managing private capital in an increasingly interconnected marketplace. Experts will assess how fund managers can enhance their capital raising efforts, optimise cross-border strategies, and adapt to decentralised and digital distribution models.
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Key Discussion Points:
Capital Raising:
• Trends in capital raising and cross-border distribution
• Strategies to increase the flow of private capital to funds
• Securing capital for organic and acquisitive growth
Cross-Border Distribution:
• Insights into the evolving global distribution landscape
• The rise of decentralised finance (DeFi) and its impact on fund access
• Emerging platforms and technology-driven distribution channels
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Speakers:
Karolina Gosz-Renzi, VP, Clearstream Fund Services
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Enhancing Cross-Border Access to Alternative Funds
An overview of how evolving platforms like FundsPlace support more efficient access to hedge funds, private equity, and other alternative vehicles. The discussion will explore practical approaches to improving execution, custody, and distribution, and the role of integrated solutions in facilitating cross-border capital raising.
Nicolas Hausseguy, Global Head of Fund Distribution, Euroclear
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Presentation by:
Dita Jagosova, Vice President, Sales & Relationship Management, Investment Funds Services – Asia, Middle East & Africa, Clearstream Banking S.A. (Singapore Branch)
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Presentation by:
Harrys Michaelides, General Manager, ECOMMBX Investment
12:05 - 12:20
Questions & Answers
PRIVATE EQUITY & VENTURE CAPITAL SPOTLIGHT
12:20 - 12:50
Private Equity & Venture Capital – Asset Classes and Investment Strategies
A comprehensive discussion exploring the opportunities and challenges shaping Europe’s private markets. The panel examines private equity, venture capital, and growth strategies across sectors, highlighting ESG, impact investing, and investor appetite.
Key Discussion Themes:
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Private equity trends and opportunities in 2026 and beyond
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Growth equity, real estate, and continuation funds
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Distressed assets and NPL investment strategies
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Venture capital dynamics and emerging technology sectors
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ESG & impact investing as drivers of long-term alpha
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Fundraising trends and institutional investor sentiment
Speakers:
Growing European PE&VC Opportunity Set, Risks and Opportunities
Driven by historic performance and global macroeconomic tailwinds, the European PE and VC ecosystem is attracting strong interest from international investors. The fragmented nature of the European economy, maturing PE and VC market, and everchanging macro conditions, combined with the rise of AI and the increased ESG requirements from institutional investors, present challenges and opportunities LPs need to navigate.
Petros Krappas, CFA, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates
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Presentation by:
George Dimopoulos, Partner, VentureFriends.vc
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12:50 - 13:05
Questions & Answers
13:05 - 14:00
Networking Lunch
Strategic Dialogue: The India Dimension
14:00 – 14:30
Panel Discussion: “India & Cyprus – Building Bridges in Alternative Investments”
Description:
As India’s alternative investments sector continues to expand, Cyprus is becoming a key partner for cross-border fund structuring, distribution, and financial collaboration. This session highlights opportunities for joint growth and regulatory cooperation between two dynamic markets.
Key Discussion Points:
• The growth of India’s AIF market and new investment opportunities
• Cyprus as a gateway for Indian fund managers into Europe
• Cross-border fund structuring, tax efficiency, and investor access
• Institutional capital flows between India, Europe, and MENA
• Innovation, fintech, and fund administration synergies
• Regulatory and policy collaboration for sustainable growth
Panelists:
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Rinkesh Devnani, Partner, Tax & Regulatory Services, KPMG India
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Pangratios Vanezis, Board Member, Head of Enterprises and Startups, KPMG Startup Innovation Lab, KPMG Cyprus
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Panayiotis Chrysostomou, CFA, Manager, Banking Services & Representative Offices, Eurobank Cyprus
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Moderator:
Petros Mavrommatis, Vice President, Cyprus Investment Funds Association
Innovation & Globalization
14:30 - 15:00
Panel Discussion: From Innovation to Investment: Scaling Funded Companies for Global Markets
Innovation alone is not enough — the true challenge lies in transforming ideas into scalable, investment-ready businesses that can thrive in international markets. In Cyprus, the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), through flagship Innovation Programmes and blended finance Programmes such as DISRUPT and BOOST, has been instrumental in accelerating this transformation by backing a new wave of high-potential companies across PropTech, FoodTech, HealthTech, Digital Transformation, and DeepTech.
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This panel brings together visionary founders who have successfully navigated the journey from early-stage innovation to investor readiness. They will share insights on:
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How targeted public funding acted as a catalyst for private investment,
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The strategies they employed to de-risk and strengthen their business models,
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Their paths to global expansion and competitiveness.
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Moderator:
Theodoros Loukaidis, Director General, Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF)
Panelists: (TBA)
Private Credit & Diversification
15:00 - 15:05
Closing Remarks by Petros Mavrommatis, Vice President, Cyprus Investment Funds Association
15:05 - 16:00
Networking Reception