We are proud to mark its eighth consecutive year as a sponsor and supporter of Reflect Festival. Our continued support reflects the Firm’s strong commitment to embracing new technologies and innovative ideas that shape the future. Participating in this event is a natural extension of our belief in driving forward-thinking solutions and promoting a digitally advanced, sustainable tomorrow.

As one of the most dynamic tech gatherings in the region, Reflect Festival stands out as a crossroads for innovation. Set in the heart of Limassol, Cyprus—just a three-hour flight from Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East—the festival serves as an ideal meeting point for the region’s boldest thinkers, creators, and disruptors.

With over 10,000 attendees, Reflect Festival 2025 featured an exciting mix of 30+ interactive side events, five dynamic stages, 250+ visionary speakers, 250+ investors, and 300+ startups—along with impactful workshops and thought-provoking panel discussions exploring the future of innovation.

In the midst of this high-energy environment, Elias Neocleous & Co LLC delivered one of the festival’s standout moments with a dynamic panel discussion titled “Legal Strategies for Startup Success” on the Big Picture Stage.

Moderated by our Managing Partner, Elias Neocleous, the discussion drew a packed audience of founders, investors, and legal innovators eager to understand how smart legal planning can supercharge startup growth—rather than stifle it.

The panel featured an exceptional lineup of leaders shaping the global and regional innovation landscape:

• Mr. Theodoros Loukaides, Director General, Cyprus Research & Innovation Foundation
• Ms. Andrea Kallis Parparinou, Partner, Elias Neocleous & Co LLC
• Mr. Konstantin Lomashuk, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, cyber•Fund
• Mr. Sergey Ivanov, CEO & Founder, Alma

Kicking off the conversation, Theodoros Loukaides spotlighted Cyprus’ climb to 40th on the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, underlining the island’s growing reputation as a serious tech and startup hub. Legal readiness, he noted, is a cornerstone of that success.

From there, the discussion dove into the fast-evolving intersection of technology, innovation, and law. Konstantin Lomashuk, drawing on his deep experience, urged startups to prioritize legal fundamentals early – advising them to “understand essential legal frameworks before building,” as even the most brilliant tech can stumble without the right legal architecture.

Sergey Ivanov added a founder’s perspective, noting that static or outdated regulations can stifle innovation—making agile legal support indispensable in fast-moving sectors.

Andrea Kallis Parparinou agreed and emphasized that while startups thrive on risk, unmanaged risk can quickly become a liability. Her practical advice:

• Choose the right legal structure
• Embed basic compliance from day one
• Lock in core IP early and tie it to the entity
• Structure financing that supports sustainable growth
• Decide how the founders will work with their teams, either as employees or independent contractors
• Become familiar with local and EU wider regulator — they are shaping your future

As Theodoros aptly noted, “regulation isn’t the enemy of innovation—it’s what makes sustainable innovation possible.”

The panel closed with a rousing call to action from Konstantin: regulators must evolve alongside innovators – and adopt an entrepreneurial mindset to truly support the pace and spirit of innovation. Echoing that sentiment, Elias Neocleous concluded: “legal strategy should be a growth enabler. With the right plans in place, we can build strong foundations for long-lasting success.”

Beyond the stage, our team was on the ground at the Elias Neocleous & Co LLC booth, connecting with the Reflect community and offering actionable legal insights to startups ready to scale. From AI to IoT, and blockchain to biotech, the future is being built now—and we’re here to ensure it’s built on solid ground.

At the heart of innovation lies a smart legal strategy. Let’s shape the future—together.