Me at the entrance of Reflect Festival 2025 under the inspiring banner: Doers Against All Odds.
On May 15–16, I had the chance to return to Reflect Festival in Limassol, Cyprus — and just like last year, the experience was both inspiring and energizing. But this time, it wasn’t just about discovery; it was about deepening connections, contributing more actively, and embracing new ways of learning and sharing.
Back to a Growing Community
Coming back to Reflect felt like reconnecting with a community. I was thrilled to see many familiar faces — people I had met during last year’s edition — and to see how those initial encounters had grown into more meaningful professional relationships.
But Reflect isn’t just about who you already know. It’s also about the people you meet unexpectedly — founders with ambitious ideas, creative minds who challenge your thinking, and VCs who show real interest in the kind of impact you’re trying to build.
Hands-On Learning: Workshops that Matter
One of the highlights of this year’s festival was my participation in hands-on workshop sessions, where we tackled real-world challenges through collaborative learning.
The first workshop, titled “Build a Landing Page with AI in 60 Minutes” and hosted by Maria Stylianou — Tech Leader and Head of Development at QBeat Academy — focused on building a website using AI tools. It was a fast-paced, hands-on session that sparked engaging conversations and fresh ideas.
Another dynamic workshop I joined was titled “Your Website S*cks: Live Roasting and Actionable Fixes”, hosted by Milan Novotný from CloudTalk.
This session was a brutally honest and interactive experience where real websites from the audience were dissected for weak SEO, confusing content, and poor design choices.
It was a refreshing take on website improvement — practical, fast-paced, and full of immediately actionable advice. This workshop reminded me how much power lies in small, sharp fixes when it comes to digital presence.
From Corporate Life to Startup Leap: A Talk that Resonated
Another highlight was the inspiring talk by Gerassimos Spyridakis: “From Corporate Stability to Startup Mode: Making the Leap”.
His story of trading a global corporate career for the chaos and creativity of entrepreneurship resonated deeply with many of us in transition or contemplating the leap.
The session was a raw and honest look into what it takes to step out of the comfort zone and into the uncertain, exhilarating world of startups. It was not just motivational — it was real, and that made all the difference.
A Fresh Stage for Bold Conversations
Reflect 2025 also introduced new and creative stage formats — including the Silent Stage, where audience members used headsets to tune into talks, creating a more intimate and focused atmosphere. This small innovation made a big difference, allowing for deeper listening and reducing the usual distractions of large conferences.
The speaker lineup was just as engaging. From startup founders to industry experts, every session brought meaningful insights, whether about scaling impact, navigating uncertainty, or building tech with purpose.
Gratitude and Takeaways
I’m grateful to the Reflect Festival team for once again delivering such a thoughtful, inclusive, and well-executed event. Every detail — from logistics to content curation — reflected care and creativity.
To the speakers, mentors, and all those I had the chance to meet or reconnect with: thank you for the inspiration, the shared moments, and the honest exchanges. This festival reminded me once again why I love being part of this space.
Reflect Festival is more than a yearly event — it’s a growing movement. And I’m already looking forward to the next chapter.
