Last week’s Web Summit in Lisbon was nothing short of impressive. With over 70,000 industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs, the event took over four sprawling pavilions connected to a massive arena, complete with enough speakers, lights, and staging to rival a rock concert. The opening night set the tone, featuring the Web Summit founder Paddy Gosgrave, the Mayor of Lisbon, and the Prime Minister of Portugal, culminating in a conversation between Pharrell Williams and the CMO of Visa.
The sheer number of events was overwhelming, but in the best way. A few standouts for me included:
• “FinTech 2025 Trends”
• “AI’s Insatiable Appetite for Energy”
• “Building the Cities of Tomorrow”
• “Is AI Eating SaaS’ Lunch?” (yes)
• “The Future of FinTech Funding”
• “The $1.4B Quantum Boom”
Beyond the sessions, the connections were the real magic. I met fascinating people on transit, in line for pizza, waiting for the bathroom, and through the incredibly well-designed Web Summit app. The city came alive at night with events scattered across Lisbon, creating an electric atmosphere that blended business with culture. It was awesome!
My takeaway? Web Summit is THE industry event if you’re looking to connect with entrepreneurs, raise funding, or get a pulse on upcoming trends in FinTech, AI, and Geopolitics. With four packed days of programming, it’s all about what you make of it. I’ll see you next year at Web Summit Lisbon 2025!
Comments