Web Summit
Web Summit is an annual technology conference founded in 2009 by Paddy Cosgrave, David Kelly, and Daire Hickey in Dublin, Ireland, initially attracting 150 attendees focused on web technologies and startups.[1][2] Relocating to Lisbon, Portugal, in 2016 due to growth and local incentives, it has evolved into a major global event drawing 71,528 participants from 153 countries in 2024, featuring keynotes, investor meetings, and exhibits from over 3,000 companies.[3][2] The conference emphasizes networking among entrepreneurs, executives, developers, and policymakers, with discussions spanning artificial intelligence, climate tech, and regulatory challenges in digital economies.[4] Web Summit's expansion includes affiliated events such as Collision in Toronto and Web Summit Vancouver, broadening its influence beyond Europe to foster international tech ecosystems.[5] Its scale has positioned it as a pivotal venue for deal-making and trend-setting, though it has encountered defining controversies, including acrimonious founder disputes culminating in High Court litigation over shares and governance, as well as Cosgrave's 2023 social media criticisms of Israel's response to the Hamas attacks, which led to sponsor withdrawals, speaker boycotts, and his brief CEO resignation before reinstatement in 2024.[2][6][7] These incidents highlight tensions between the event's commercial imperatives and its leadership's public stances, yet attendance records persist, underscoring its entrenched role in the tech calendar.[3]
Overview
Founding and Core Purpose
Web Summit was founded in 2009 in Dublin, Ireland, by entrepreneur Paddy Cosgrave, alongside David Kelly and Daire Hickey.[1][2] The initiative emerged from Cosgrave's background in startups and technology events, with the goal of creating a platform that connected emerging tech trends with business opportunities.[2] The first event occurred in October 2009, drawing 150 attendees to discuss advancements in internet and web technologies.[1] This modest gathering marked the inception of what would become a major annual conference, initially focused on fostering dialogue among developers, founders, and investors in the tech sector.[1] At its core, Web Summit's purpose has been to unite the technology and business communities, enabling networking, knowledge sharing, and deal-making in areas such as startups, digital innovation, and global tech ecosystems.[2] Unlike broader industry forums, it emphasized practical intersections of web-based technologies with entrepreneurial ventures, prioritizing attendee-driven interactions over passive lectures.[1] This foundational aim has persisted, evolving to encompass broader themes while retaining an emphasis on actionable tech-business synergies.[2]Event Format and Activities
Web Summit operates as a four-day annual conference, typically beginning with an opening night event featuring introductory talks and networking receptions, followed by three full days of intensive programming.[8][4]
Core activities encompass keynote speeches and panel discussions delivered on multiple stages, including the prominent Centre Stage, where industry leaders present on emerging technologies, business strategies, and global trends.[8][9]
Sessions vary in format, ranging from fireside chats and debates to workshops and masterclasses, with topics spanning artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, startups, and sustainability; access to select masterclasses and roundtables requires an event ticket.[10][11]
Networking constitutes a primary focus, supported by dedicated lounges, investor meeting zones, and a mobile app for scheduling one-on-one interactions among over 70,000 attendees, including executives, founders, and venture capitalists.[12][13]
Startup-specific initiatives include pitch competitions such as the Startup Pitch and showcase programs like Startup University, enabling emerging companies to demonstrate products to investors and secure funding opportunities.[13]
Beyond the main venue, side events organized by national delegations, sponsors, and partners—such as evening meet-ups, dinners, and parties—extend engagement and foster informal connections.[14][11]
Venues, Scale, and Attendance Trends
The Web Summit originated in Dublin, Ireland, where early iterations from 2009 to 2015 utilized venues such as the Chartered Accountants House for smaller gatherings, reflecting the event's initial modest scale. Attendance began at 150 participants in 2009 and reached approximately 400 by 2010, growing steadily amid Ireland's tech ecosystem but constrained by local infrastructure limitations.[2][15] In 2016, the event relocated to Lisbon, Portugal, to the Altice Arena (formerly MEO Arena) and adjacent FIL exhibition center, enabling expansion to international crowds through larger capacity and logistical support. This shift accommodated the conference's growth into a multi-venue setup spanning exhibition halls, multiple stages, and networking zones, with the Altice Arena serving as the core hub for keynotes and sessions. The move aligned with Portugal's efforts to position Lisbon as a European tech hub, facilitating attendance from over 150 countries in recent editions.[5][4][16] Attendance trends demonstrate exponential scaling post-relocation, interrupted briefly by pandemic restrictions:| Year | Attendees | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 150 | Inaugural Dublin event.[2] |
| 2010 | ~400 | Early Dublin growth.[15] |
| 2021 | 42,751 | Lisbon, reduced capacity amid COVID-19 recovery.[17] |
| 2022 | >70,000 | Full in-person return in Lisbon.[17] |
| 2023 | 70,236 | Record for that year at Altice Arena.[18] |
| 2024 | 71,528 | Sold-out Lisbon edition with 3,050 exhibiting companies.[3] |