Chris Christofi, CEO and Founder of Reventon, took to the Global Entrepreneur Stage at INSPIRE 2025 — Cyprus’s largest celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity — to share his remarkable story of resilience and success.
Christofi began his career in real estate at just 19. “It started with an ad about a sales role,” he recalled. “At 20, I had my first interview in real estate, sold 83 houses in my first year, and fell in love with the industry.”
In 2005, from his parents’ study and while $348,000 in debt, he founded Reventon, now one of Melbourne’s leading property investment and wealth management firms. “I lost everything. I started my company from zero,” he said. “My sister told me, ‘You never quit, no way you’ll do that.’ That pushed me to build, build, build.”
Reflecting on 20 years of Reventon, he admitted the journey had been far from smooth. “An entrepreneur’s journey is never a straight line but a roller coaster. There’s a fine line between arrogance and confidence. I always had role models and family to look up to, but they never fought my battles.”
Christofi pointed to several turning points: losing everything financially, dealing with his son’s health challenges, a failed business partnership that ended up in court, and a divorce. “The biggest lessons in my life came from the darkest times,” he said. “As long as I showed up to work, even if all I could do was shower, smile, and turn up, I had one mission — keep moving forward.”
Hard work, he insists, was never a burden. “I was working so hard because I loved what I do. I don’t believe in balance — there’s no such thing. You have to work hard. My therapy is learning and evolving. I love reading and understanding how I can be of service to my family, my community, and my team.”
For Christofi, success is about more than money. “It’s not the destination that matters, but the person you become along the journey. And all of it is meaningless if you don’t have the right company or good relationships with your family or team. I was never as wise as I am now.”
He closed with a message for aspiring entrepreneurs: “People hate risk, so they don’t do anything. But no strategy and no action means zero results. Take action — even small steps. Focus on progress and just get started. What’s the worst that can happen?”
The discussion was moderated by Stavriana A. Kofteros, Founder, Partner, W11 Ventures.
Partners & Sponsors
Strategic Partner: Cyta Business
Platinum Sponsor: Bank of Cyprus
Gold Sponsors: ECOMMBX, Zorbas Group, Cyfield
Silver Sponsors: PwC Cyprus, Petrolina, Bioland
Academic Sponsor: University of Nicosia
Stage Sponsors: National Bank of Greece (Cyprus), KPMG Cyprus, Odyssey, CyRIC/Gravity Ventures Incubator, Invest Cyprus
Panel Sponsors: HRDA, OPAP
Podcast Presenter: Payabl.
Sponsors: Hermes Airports, IMR, Libertex
Technology Partner: Kotsovolos
Community Partner: TechIsland, Junior Achievement Cyprus
Innovation Partner: Research & Innovation Foundation (IDEK)
Mobility Partner: Pilakoutas Group
Sustainable Transport Partner: Cyprus Public Transport
Sustainability Partner: Electricity Authority of Cyprus
Coffee Partner: Coffee Berry
Partner: Charalambides Christis
Supporters: ASBIS, CSR Cyprus, Capacitor Partners, HJS Insurance Agents, Mastercard, Robura, Superad, Kapodistrias, Photos Photiades Breweries & Epilogi, Voici La Mode Group of Companies, GrantXpert, Gap Vassilopoulos, Techbiz, Grow Sustainability Consulting, ASBIS, Murex, Drastyc, Bolt
With the support of: Cyprus Computer Society, CITEA, CPMA, Youth Board of Cyprus, OEB, Skills Cyprus, National Betting Authority
Media Sponsors: Alpha Cyprus, CBN, IN Business, Reporter, SuperFM
Organizer: IMH
Under the auspices of: Municipality of Nicosia
- INSPIRE 2025 – Where passion meets action, and action changes the world.
