Opening remarks

Web Summit Lisbon 2025 Kicks Off: A Decade of Innovation and Record-Breaking Attendance

Web Summit Lisbon 2025 has officially commenced, marking its tenth year in Lisbon, Portugal. Co-Host Casey Lau welcomed an unprecedented gathering to the 12,000-seat MO Arena, setting the stage for an incredible week of ideas, innovation, and high energy. This year’s event is officially the largest ever.

The summit boasts over 71,000 attendees from 157 countries, nearly 2,000 investors, and almost 3,000 startups. Co-Host Casey Lau, present since 2016, highlighted this decade milestone and the recent Web Summit Vancouver event in his hometown.

Mr. Lau reflected on a transformative tech year, noting OpenAI’s $500 billion and Nvidia’s $5 trillion valuations. He observed advanced technologies integrating daily life, including robot butlers, autonomous taxis, and drone deliveries, painting a picture of rapid technological evolution.

Despite advancements, Mr. Lau acknowledged tech complexities, referencing massive global layoffs and the ongoing AI debate. He questioned whether 2026 would usher in a utopia or a dystopia, reflecting current industry sentiments regarding AI’s impact and future.

On a positive note, the event celebrated past successes: nearly 200 startups from Web Summit’s 2024 program secured post-event investments. This collective funding amounted to $715 million, underscoring the summit’s role as a crucial platform for connecting innovative ventures with capital and fostering growth.

Over the next three days, attendees will engage with leading visionaries across technology, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and business. Discussions will span 13 stages, covering critical topics like agentic AI, media, European innovation, China robotics, climate tech, the US tech landscape, and further AI exploration.

Day one promises an electrifying atmosphere, with prominent speakers from companies like Runway, The New York Times, Qualcomm, Microsoft, Meta, Oracle, Red Bull Racing, and Nvidia. The energy is palpable as participants anticipate a week filled with insightful talks and valuable interactions.

To enhance the attendee experience, the Web Summit app serves as an indispensable tool. It allows users to build personalized schedules, connect with other participants, and join specialized communities and meetups. These features enable individuals with shared interests to easily find their tribes.

The app facilitates numerous meetups throughout the event, both on the show floor and as part of Night Summit activities. Co-Host Casey Lau highlighted diverse examples, including gatherings for robotics enthusiasts, neurodiverse professionals, and a “How to Be a Great Host” session, attracting over 800 sign-ups.

Further examples of community engagement include a giant Jenga meetup with over 900 participants, and Night Summit events featuring a Baldur’s Gate meetup, a comedy gathering, and content creators networking over cocktails and oysters. These varied opportunities ensure attendees can tailor their experience and avoid FOMO.