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 polished and to the point. Be clear on what makes your start-up unique, why users want it, how you’ve validated it, and have quick insights ready about the market you’re entering. You might only have one minute with someone important - make it count.
