Filenews 1 February 2026
4th YOUTH TECH FEST CYPRUS 2026 powered by Freedom24
The Warehouse by IT Quarter, Limassol
7 February 9am-6pm
Admission is free for all.
More information on www.youthtechfest.com
Interview of Sean Alimov, Founder – Youth Tech Fest Cyprus to Phileleftheros
In an era where innovation and technology are rapidly shaping the future, initiatives that empower young people with skills, confidence, and curiosity are more important than ever. Youth Tech Fest Cyprus, held for the 4th year this year, has evolved into an internationally recognized platform that connects education, technology, and creativity for children, families, and educators across the island. On the occasion of this year's event, we talk to Sean Alimov, Founder of Youth Tech Fest Cyprus.
Sean, Youth Tech Fest is now in its 4th edition. How did this journey begin?
Youth Tech Fest was born from a simple yet powerful idea, inspired by an eight-year-old girl from Cyprus: to give young people access to the skills, inspiration and opportunities they need in a world that is changing faster than ever.
Technology today is not a "luxury". It's part of everyday life, education, sports, art, music, and almost every future career path. From the beginning, our vision was to create an open and inclusive space, where children, parents, and educators could experience this future together.
We didn't want a traditional conference or a one-way educational experience. We wanted something dynamic, accessible, and inspiring. A place where curiosity drives learning and knowledge is acquired through experience!
What makes Youth Tech Fest stand out from other educational or technological events?
What really sets Youth Tech Fest apart is how we combine different skills and interests, based on each child's abilities, talents, and uniqueness.
Youth Tech Fest is not only interactive and technological; It is also artistic, musical, theatrical, athletic and, above all, human. Our mission goes far beyond a one-day event. The festival is part of a broader initiative that is already creating opportunities and preparing children for complex problem-solving, ethical thinking, innovation, and leadership in a technologically evolving world.
Youth Tech Fest is aimed at children, teenagers, parents, educators and professionals. We firmly believe that learning cannot work in isolation. When education and the business world work together, the impact is much more substantial and timeless.
That's why admission is absolutely free! Accessibility is a key pillar of our mission. The program is designed so that different age groups find something meaningful, from robotics, XR and VR, science, gaming, sports, dance and music for younger children, to academic guidance and discussions for parents and teachers.
What can visitors expect at Youth Tech Fest 2026?
This year's event is enriched by the participation of representatives from 43 leading UK universities, as well as students and alumni from Harvard, UCL and Cambridge, who will share experiences and practical knowledge about admissions processes at world-class universities.
At the core of the festival is the upgraded Edutainment Zone, with experiential experiences in XR/VR, robotics, gaming, science, art, and environmental actions, designed to nurture the curiosity, creativity, and skills of the future.
The program also includes top competitions and presentations, such as the Chess Festival, the Youth Unicorn Start-Up Competition, the Future Voices Stage (debate competition), the Rising Rhythms National Dance & Music Competition, the Cubing Tournament and a dynamic Roblox Gaming Hackathon.
At the same time, Family Sport Bonanza brings parents and children together through activities such as martial arts, football, cycling and rugby, offering a complete experience for the whole family.
Why is this event important especially for Cyprus?
As an event, Youth Tech Fest inspires young people to discover innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, science, sports, and technology. As an initiative, it facilitates access to quality education and international professional opportunities.
In 2025, Youth Tech Fest became the first educational initiative to receive global recognition at the Non-Profit Organizations Awards, where it emerged as the World's Best Youth Tech & Innovation Festival. This distinction contributed significantly to enhancing Cyprus' international image and attractiveness.
What is your long-term vision?
The international recognition has attracted the interest of academic and business leaders from the US, UK, Europe, and the Gulf countries. Our long-term goal is to expand the Youth Tech Fest beyond Cyprus and establish it as a reference point for cooperation between education, the state and businesses.
Our ultimate goal is to make a substantial contribution to how young people in Cyprus learn, think and envision their future.
What message would you like parents and teachers to keep?
Youth Tech Fest is designed to support parents and educators in a rapidly changing world. We provide tools, knowledge, and experiences that make learning more meaningful and engaging.
We focus on skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy, creativity, and adaptability, while also highlighting topics such as online safety, responsible use of technology, and mental well-being.
Above all, our goal is to unite parents and educators in a shared learning environment that empowers young people with knowledge, confidence, and perspective.
