Web Summit
Web Summit is a technology conference series founded in Dublin in 2009 by Paddy Cosgrave, David Kelly, and Daire Hickey to bring together the business and technology communities.[1] Its first event, then called the Dublin Web Summit, was a technology conference attended by 150 people.[2] The series’ flagship conference is held in Lisbon, with additional editions organized in other regions.[3][4]
The conference brings together startups, investors, speakers, media, businesses, and public figures. Its programming includes keynote addresses, panel discussions, startup showcases, investor meetings, exhibitions, and networking events.[3][4]
History
Dublin and the Move to Lisbon
The first Dublin Web Summit took place in October 2009, with 150 attendees.[1] Following disputes with the Irish government, the organizers announced in 2015 that the event would move from Dublin to Lisbon; it was held in Portugal from 2016.[1][5]
In October 2018, Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave announced an agreement for the conference to remain in Lisbon for a further ten years. Reuters reported that Portugal’s government would pay €11 million annually to expand the venue and that organizers and officials anticipated attendance could eventually rise from 70,000 to 100,000.[6] A Portuguese Council of Ministers resolution dated November 8, 2018, approved a related agreement covering 2019 through 2028. It authorized state commitments of up to €80 million, with annual payments beginning at €8 million and later amounts adjusted for inflation; Turismo de Portugal and IAPMEI were assigned equal shares of the state funding.[5] The resolution described the conference as a way to support Portuguese startups and promote the country as a destination for investment, innovation, and tourism.[5]
Company and Founder Disputes
In 2018, Web Summit contributed $2 million to establish the Amaranthine Fund I investment fund; David Kelly and Patrick Murphy were listed as managers.[1] Daire Hickey resigned as a Web Summit director in August 2019, and Kelly resigned in March 2021. In May 2021, Kelly and Murphy established Semble Fund II, a successor to Amaranthine Fund I, without Web Summit’s involvement.[1]
In October 2021, Cosgrave sued Kelly, alleging that Kelly had breached his duties as a director of Manders Terrace, the company behind Web Summit, and caused it a $10 million loss. Cosgrave also brought a separate action in the United States alleging that Kelly and Murphy had used Web Summit resources for the fund and benefited from its association with the conference.[1] Kelly filed a shareholder-oppression case against Manders Terrace in November 2021, followed by a separate case from Hickey.[1] A civil trial concerning a legal dispute involving the founders was being heard at Ireland’s High Court in March 2025.[1]
2023 Leadership Crisis
On October 13, 2023, Cosgrave posted criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza following the Hamas attacks. His remarks prompted criticism from technology executives and announcements that companies and individuals would withdraw from Web Summit events.[7][1] Cosgrave later said Web Summit was “devastated” by the killings and issued an apology.[7]
Sponsors began withdrawing from the Lisbon conference on October 19. Intel and Siemens were among the first, followed by Amazon and Google; other companies reported as withdrawing included Meta and Stripe. Several speakers also canceled their participation.[1][7] Cosgrave resigned as chief executive on October 21, saying his comments had “become a distraction.” At the time, he also left the board; the company, which had about 300 staff and 6,000 volunteers and contractors, was being run by an executive committee.[1][7]
Katherine Maher was appointed to run Web Summit on October 30, 2023. The Lisbon conference went ahead in November, and the company confirmed that its Qatar event, then scheduled for February 2024, would also proceed.[1][7] Maher announced on January 24, 2024, that she would leave after the Qatar event to take a role with PBS in the United States; Cosgrave returned as chief executive on April 8, 2024.[1]
2027 Editions
Web Summit Qatar
Web Summit Qatar is scheduled for January 31–February 3, 2027, in Doha. Its event page describes it as a gathering of technology and business leaders and as the largest gathering of international startups in the Middle East.[9]
Web Summit Vancouver
Web Summit Vancouver is scheduled for May 25–28, 2027.[10]
Web Summit Rio
Web Summit Rio is scheduled for June 14–17, 2027, in Rio de Janeiro.[11]
Past Editions
2026
Web Summit Qatar in Doha drew 30,274 participants from 127 countries and 1,637 startups.[19] Web Summit Vancouver welcomed 20,235 attendees and recorded its largest-ever investor turnout for a North American edition.[20] Web Summit Rio had 40,287 attendees and 1,572 startups.[21]
2025
Web Summit Lisbon welcomed 71,386 attendees from 157 countries, including a record 1,857 investors and 2,725 startups.[22] Web Summit Rio welcomed 34,552 attendees and 1,397 startups.[15] Web Summit Qatar in Doha welcomed 25,747 attendees.[16] Web Summit Vancouver debuted with 1,108 startups from 117 countries, succeeding Collision in Toronto.[17][8]
2024
Web Summit Lisbon set an attendance record with 71,528 attendees.[23] The second Web Summit Rio drew 34,397 attendees and featured 518 speakers.[24] The inaugural Web Summit Qatar in Doha brought together 15,453 attendees from 118 countries and 1,043 startups.[25] Collision held its final Toronto edition that year as a separate event.[8]
2023
Web Summit Lisbon drew 70,236 attendees from 153 countries and a record 2,608 startups.[26] The inaugural Web Summit Rio brought together 21,367 attendees from 91 countries and 974 startups.[27] Collision was held in Toronto as a separate event, not branded Web Summit.[8]
2022
Web Summit Lisbon reached full capacity with 71,033 attendees from 160 countries, 2,296 startups, and 1,081 investors.[2] Collision also took place in Toronto as a separate event, not branded Web Summit.[8]
2021
Web Summit Lisbon marked the conference’s return to in-person format after the online-only 2020 edition. It drew 42,751 attendees from 128 countries, and women made up 50.5% of participants.[28]
2020
Web Summit moved fully online and attracted 104,328 attendees from 168 countries, with 2,007 startups. The online program included talks, roundtables, masterclasses, and networking.[18][29]
2019
Web Summit Lisbon drew 70,469 attendees from 163 countries and hosted 2,150 startups.[30] Collision was also held in Toronto as a distinct event.[8]
2018
Web Summit Lisbon welcomed 69,304 attendees from 159 countries, with more than 1,200 speakers across 24 stages.[31]
2017
Web Summit Lisbon drew about 59,000 attendees from 170 countries, with over 2,100 startups and 1,400 investors.[32]
2016
The first Lisbon edition drew 53,056 attendees from 166 countries.[32]
2015
The final Dublin edition drew more than 30,000 attendees and featured about 1,000 speakers. The move to Lisbon followed in 2016.[33]
2014
Dublin attracted more than 22,000 people and over 600 speakers. Its program included 10 themed summits, such as Builder, Enterprise, and Food Summit.[34]
2013
Dublin drew a record 9,834 attendees, with 872 early-stage startups and more than 350 speakers. The format expanded toward a festival of talks and events.[35]
2012
The Dublin meeting at the RDS drew about 4,000 visitors and included technology companies such as YouTube, Skype, Google, HP, and Microsoft.[36]
2011
Dublin drew about 1,500 attendees. The social program included a pub crawl hosted by Bono.[37]
2010
The Dublin Web Summit drew about 400 people and featured Jack Dorsey, Niklas Zennström, and Chad Hurley.[37]
2009
The initial gathering in Dublin attracted about 150 people.[37]
