At the side event of Sporos Platform in Panathēnea 2026, the HIIN discussed the question “Why Circularity Pays Off”, alongside ECBF VC and the Hellenic Development Bank of Investments, under the moderation of Andrei Geica. The event was held at OKUPA Athens and attended by a curated audience with great awareness of impact investing, both from investment sectors, as well as from the sectors of entrepreneurship.

All panelists agreed that given our geopolitical situation of the latest years, it is obvious that Europe needs secure strategic material flows and lower production costs. HIIN’s Vice President Dimitris Tselenis noted that especially for Greece and SE Europe, the strongest opportunities for Circularity projects lie where it can achieve industrial competitiveness.

Moreover, at the panel it was made clear that Venture Capital and institutional investors, as well as the HIIN as National Platform, all agree that Impact Debt must be flexible to allow for circularity to advance as an alternative to mainstream, “linear” methods of waste management. We need debt that understands transition, circular models and longer payback times, so that circular businesses can redesign processes as well as utilize and implement advanced technologies.