Hello dear reader, I’m Martina, Program Manager at AceON Accelerator, and this May I had the pleasure of attending Reflect Festival in sunny Limassol, Cyprus – a vibrant gathering that brings together founders, investors, tech enthusiasts, and innovators from across Europe and beyond. With 10 000+ attendees, 250+ speakers at 5 stages, 30+ side events, Reflect is a whirlwind of opportunity, connection, and inspiration.
For anyone building a start-up, these kinds of events can be a goldmine of advice, partnerships, and visibility – if you approach them well-prepared. I would like to share some tips about how to make the most of these intense but exciting days. Whether it’s your first start-up event or your fiftieth, here are my personal tips:
😴 Rest before the storm:
Don’t underestimate how exhausting a full conference day - or several days - can be. Between back-to-back meetings, hopping between stages, networking through the event app, and unofficial bar meetups and parties that last until morning, you’ll need plenty of power. Try to recharge beforehand: get good sleep and give yourself a buffer of energy.
👒 Come equipped:
Have your one-pager or start-up intro ready, bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated, and if it’s an outdoor event like Reflect, don’t forget sunscreen and a hat. Last year, I underestimated the Cyprus sun and ended up having to sit out for two hours in a cold room - not ideal when you’re there to meet people.
🔁 Track your contacts:
Prepare a system to organize your contacts for follow-up. For example, I take screenshots of the LinkedIn profiles I add during the conference, so I can easily follow up afterward without having to rely on memory or dig through messages.
🦄 Be memorable:
Great conversations are key, but something small and fun can help you stand out. I brought caps with “Sky is not a limit” written on them - not only useful under the Cyprus sun, but also a great conversation closer.
📣 Build buzz before you go:
Let your network know you’ll be at the event. A quick LinkedIn or Instagram post can lead to unexpected meetings and introductions -especially when your community knows where to find you.
🔎 Do your homework on investors:
If you’re a founder reaching out to VCs or incubators/accelerators at the event, take a minute to understand their investment focus. Is your stage, solution, and funding ask aligned with what they’re looking for? If not, you might burn a bridge before it’s even built and loose a precious time at the event.
🏃 Pitch-ready is a must:
Have your elevator pitch ready - and really, make it as short as possible. The shorter it is, the more time you’ll have for feedback or questions. Make sure it’s polished and to the point. Be clear about what makes your start-up unique, why users want it, how you’ve validated it, and be ready with key numbers and quick insights about the market you’re entering. You might only have one minute with someone important - make it count.
