Web Summit is one of the world's largest and most influential technology conferences, held annually in Lisbon since 2016 after relocating from Dublin. The event typically attracts over 70,000 attendees from more than 150 countries, with more than 2,000 startups exhibiting, 800+ speakers, 320+ partner organisations and coverage from over 2,100 international media outlets. The next edition is scheduled for November 9–12, 2026.
Web Summit's presence has had a transformative impact on Lisbon's innovation ecosystem. The Portuguese government estimated that the conference generates over €300 million in annual economic impact, and a €3 billion buyout clause was included in the contract to ensure Web Summit remains in Lisbon for its full 10-year commitment. Startups participating in the 2024 edition collectively raised $715.5 million, with AI startups accounting for $334.6 million.
Beyond the conference itself, Web Summit has catalysed a year-round technology ecosystem in Lisbon. The event helped drive the development of the Beato Innovation District and the broader Unicorn Factory Lisboa initiative. It features dedicated tracks on urbantech and smart cities, creating direct opportunities for startups to connect with city governments, investors and infrastructure providers.
Web Summit is organised by Web Summit HQ, an Irish-Portuguese events company founded by Paddy Cosgrave. The company also organises Collision (Toronto), RISE (Hong Kong/Kuala Lumpur) and Web Summit Rio (Rio de Janeiro), as well as specialist events including MoneyConf, SaaStock and others.
For smart city practitioners, Web Summit's Lisbon edition is significant as a platform where urbantech solutions meet global investment, policy-makers engage with innovators, and city-level partnerships are formed at scale.