Web Summit 2024: New Year, New Tech?

Written By Luísa Amorim

After Paddy Cosgrave resigned on the eves of the Web Summit 2023, everyone thought the worst would happen – was the World's largest tech conference (Financial Times) in jeopardy? Was the Web Summit 2024 compromised in the following year? You could feel the hesitation, but everything ran smoothly. 

So, here we are for another year. The question is: what can you expect from the Web Summit 2024? With a stellar lineup of speakers covering topics like AI, HR & Recruitment, and the future of work, the 2024 edition promises to be an essential stop for anyone passionate about tech's impact worldwide.

Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned participant, here’s everything you need to know about Web Summit 2024, its lead speakers, key talks, and what’s ahead for 2025.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Web Summit 2024: Understanding the Basics

    Where is the Web Summit 2024?
    Is Web Summit Worth It?

  • Web Summit 2024: Top Speakers and Highlights

    Top Speakers at Web Summit 2024
    10 Must-See Talks at Web Summit 2024
    But… why (still) Lisbon?
    Networking Opportunities and Side Events
    Exclusive Web Summit Side Event: BRIDGE IN’s Closed-Doors Breakfast

  • Web Summit 2024: Hot to Get to MEO Arena

  • What’s Next for Web Summit? What Happens in 2025?

Image source: Web Summit’s Flickr

Web Summit 2024: Understanding the Basics

Let’s start from the beginning.

The Web Summit was created in 2009 by Paddy Cosgrave, David Kelly, and Daire Hickey. Before becoming Europe’s biggest tech conference (Reuters), it started small in Dublin, and it quickly outgrew its original home and found a new base in Lisbon – where it’s been held since 2016.

According to the company, the Web Summit’s mission is to create moments that enable “meaningful connections between the CEOs, founders, investors, media, politicians, and cultural figureheads who are reshaping the world.”

Where is the Web Summit 2024?

In Lisbon, the so-called new San Fransico. The Web Summit 2024 will bring together over 70,000 people and companies at the MEO Arena – from November 11 to 14 – and it’ll have multiple tracks:

  • AI Summit

  • SaaS Summit

  • People Summit

  • Fintech Summit

  • Growth Summit

  • Creative Summit

  • Startup University

  • Marketing Summit

  • Developer Summit

  • Commerce Summit

  • New Media Summit

  • New Energy Summit

  • Government Summit

  • New Venture Summit

  • Corporate Innovation Summit

Don’t worry; your ticket grants you access to all the tracks.

Is Web Summit Worth It?

The Web Summit 2024 is the perfect spot to network, collect leads, build new business connections, and even close deals. But it’s also an exciting spot for investors looking for unique opportunities.

But you’ll need a clear goal and strategy to meet it – as we’re speaking about an event with over 70,000 participants. Standing out can be challenging when most attendees share the same goals: marketing, selling, expanding, or finding investors and partners.

Focus on why you bought a ticket and navigate the scene accordingly. However, if you’re looking for a hassle-free solution to do business in Iberia, look for us! We’ll be there to help you expand.

Web Summit 2024: Top Speakers and Highlights

A lot will happen at the same time, in different stages. That’s why we tried helping you by gathering a list of important speakers and events that might interest you. But you should also check the official schedule to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

Top Speakers at Web Summit 2024

The Web Summit 2024 promises a lineup of speakers from a wide range of sectors – from AI to entertainment – promising fresh perspectives on where technology is heading. Here are just a few names who’ll hop on stage:

  • Jessica Sibley, CEO at TIME

  • Josh Silverman, CEO at Etsy

  • Lidiane Jones, CEO at Bumble

  • Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice-Chancellor 

  • Brad Smith, President & Vice Chair at Microsoft

  • Etosha Cave, Co-founder & Chief Science Officer at Twelve

  • Nicki Sheard, President, Brands & Licensing at BBC Studios

  • Eshan Ponnadurai, Global Head of Consumer Markeitng at Meta

  • Nekesa Mumbi Moody, Co-Editor-in-Chief at The Hollywood Reporter

These are just a handful of personalities who’ll take part in shaping Web Summit 2024 discussions. The talks will dive into pivotal areas of tech, from the ever-expanding potential of AI to the evolving digital finance landscape.

10 Must-See Talks at Web Summit 2024

The schedule is endless. So we’d advise you to pick your topics first and then go through where each speaker’s at – or the other way around if there’s a personality you want to listen to.

To help you out, here are 10 must-attend talks happening at the Web Summit 2024:

  1.  Transforming experiences with Generative AI
    Speaker: Cristiano Amon (CEO & President at Qualcomm)

  2. Fuelling the future of online creativity
    Speaker: Jack Conte (Co-founder and CEO at Patreon)

  3. What the US election means for marketing
    Speakers: Mark Penn (Chairman and CEO at STAGWELL) and Lucinda Southern (Managing Editor of Media and Technology at Adweek)

  4. Future-proof your team with an AI-ready workforce
    Speaker: Edward Kim (Co-Founder & Head of Technology at Gusto)

  5. (AI)investing
    Speakers: Kanu Gulati (Partner at Khosla Ventures) and Kevin Jiang (Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Mangusta Capital)

  6. How HR can lead the way in AI workplace governance
    Speakers: Sarah Franklin (CEO at Lattice) and Harry McCracken (Global Technology Editor at Fast Company)

  7. Fintech 2034: The unicorn roadmap
    Speakers: Iana Dimitrova (CEO at OpenPayd), Charles McManus (CEO at ClearBank), and Janine Hirt (CEO at Innovate Finance)

  8. What to do about social media
    Speakers: Helle Thorning-Schmidt (Former Prime Minister of Denmark) and Joe Benarroch (Former Head of Global Business Operations at X)

  9. Building on the battlefield: Leading IT teams in a turbulent world
    Speaker: John Adam (CRO at Aimprosoft)

  10. In sync: A new era in European payments
    Speaker: Madalena Cascais Tomé (CEO at SIBS)

Paddy Cosgrave speaking at initial Web Summit 2024 opening

Image source: Web Summit’s Flickr

These talks will offer invaluable insights into how technology is driving change across industries and provide practical strategies for adapting to these shifts.

But… why (still) Lisbon?

Lisbon’s startup ecosystem has been rising in recent years, with no prediction of slowing down. So, it comes as no surprise that the Web Summit keeps prioritizing the Portuguese capital over other European ones. But that’s not all.

Lisbon’s rich cultural history makes tourists, emigrants, and digital nomads feel at home; it holds a growing tech ecosystem and keeps feeding a vibrant startup community. Lisbon is home to many tech startups and international companies, like Dashlane or Catawiki – drawn to Portugal’s supportive policies and incentives for innovation.

The city’s infrastructure, transportation, venue (MEO Arena), and welcoming atmosphere make Lisbon the perfect place for this annual global tech gathering. Beyond the conference, the city's food, culture, and lovely views highlight the city more every year.

Networking Opportunities and Side Events

Besides the Night Summit, other side events will happen before, after, and during the Web Summit. So, grab a pen and a notebook (your smartphone does it, too) and keep an eye on these events:

But that’s not all.

Exclusive Web Summit Side Event: BRIDGE IN’s Closed-Doors Breakfast

For the first time, besides being present at the Web Summit, we’re hosting an exclusive event – for distinguished guests only. This closed-doors breakfast happens on November 11, at 10 AM, in Lisbon’s business district.

An informal networking session without boring presentations. Especially throughout for companies and entrepreneurs looking for tailored advice on how to expand their tech businesses to Portugal or Spain.

Web Summit 2024: Hot to Get to MEO Arena

You can get to the venue in different ways. 

If you’re arriving from a different country and landing at Lisbon’s Airport (also known as Humberto Delgado Airport), you’ll find plenty of options. Once you’re out, there are different transport options, such as metro, buses, and taxis (Uber and other companies, too).

If you’re in the city already, head to Parque das Nações, where MEO Arena is. You’ll find hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions there – but don’t forget to book accommodations early, as Lisbon fills up quickly during the Web Summit.

And here’s the best part: we’ve prepared a 48-hour video guide with the best-hidden spots in Lisbon! Click below to watch it and get ready to take notes.

What’s Next for Web Summit? What Happens in 2025?

The Web Summit 2024 sets foot in Lisbon while anticipating what 2025 will bring. There will be many global events under the Web Summit’s trademark:

But you can expect the main event to remain in Lisbon until 2028, as the Web Summit keeps representing exciting times ahead – sharing top-notch insights into the future of technology and its impact on the world. Whether attending for the first or the 8th time, you’ll have a blast (especially if we run into each other!)

Luísa Amorim
Next

Employment Termination in Portugal: Hard But Not Impossible