Startup University

A crash course in kickstarting a startup

You’re following the same path as the startups that grew into the world’s largest companies. Take advice from founders, CEOs and investors at Startup University, and see how they got from where you are to where they are.

Join them in Lisbon this November.

Tara Chklovski, Founder & CEO, Technovation, on Startup University Stage during day one of Web Summit 2023 at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal
Tara Chklovski
Founder & CEO
Technovation

What's happening?

No one prepared you for this in school. Welcome to Web Summit’s crash course on building and growing your startup, with curated content and insights from some of the world’s most famous startup success stories. Your ticket gives you access to all Startup University sessions, as well as to roundtables, masterclasses and other 25-plus tracks at Web Summit.

Arpit Mittal, Founder & CEO, SpeakX, on Growth Summit Stage during day three of Web Summit 2023 at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal
From startup to scale-up

No startup has all the answers at the beginning. Here, the biggest success stories take to the stage to share what they’ve learned along the way. Discover which business models and which strategies are taking startups to new geographies and new growth.

Funding landscape in 2024

The funding landscape has changed dramatically, and there’s a new reality for raising money. With inflation and recession on the rise, what are investors looking for in the new market? Founders, unicorns and investors discuss the challenges and opportunities they’re facing and debate the lessons that can be learned from the turmoil of recent months.

Next-gen technologies

What’s the next big thing? Where is the new wave of tech innovation taking us? What are the coolest technologies that are going to make a difference in the next five years? Meet the startups innovating across AI, biotech, the sharing economy, agritech, healthtech, robotics and more, as they deliver the next wave of creative change.

The company you keep

Have you got the right co-founder? Have you hired the right team? What about a board? Who you surround yourself with as a founder is one of the most important decisions you can make. Early hiring, recruiting for hypergrowth and leaning on your co-founder are all hugely important parts of the startup journey. Learn from founders who have succeeded – and failed – in getting the right people for their company.

Meet some of our past startup speakers

Alex Bouaziz
Alex Bouaziz
Co-founder & CEODeel
Maëlle Gavet
Maëlle Gavet
Maëlle Gavet
CEOTechstars
Dileep Thazhmon
Dileep Thazhmon
Dileep Thazhmon
CEO & Co-FounderJeeves
Dave Rogenmoser
Dave Rogenmoser
Dave Rogenmoser
Co-founder & CEOJasper
Melanie Perkins
Melanie Perkins
Melanie Perkins
Co-founder & CEOCanva
Tope Awotona
Tope Awotona
Tope Awotona
Founder & CEOCalendly
Geoff Ralston
Geoff Ralston
Geoff Ralston
PresidentY Combinator
Matt Biilmann
Matt Biilmann
Co-founder & CEONetlify
Gabriel Braga
Gabriel Braga
Gabriel Braga
Co-founder & CEOQuintoAndar
Sofia Nunes
Sofia Nunes
Sofia Nunes
Co-founder Mambu
Amanda Kahlow
Amanda Kahlow
Founder6sense
Edith Harbaugh
Edith Harbaugh
Edith Harbaugh
Co-founder & Executive ChairLaunchDarkly

Companies that attend

yuno logo

“Every company is faking it till they make it. There’s no making it. The story doesn’t end.”

Attendees network during BETA Happy Hour on day one of Web Summit 2022 at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.

Jager McConnell, CEO, Crunchbase

“You have to deeply care about your mission.”

Clubby Games Inc startup booth during day one of Web Summit 2022 at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.

 

 

Michele Romanow, Co-founder, Clearco

"Before, VCs only cared about growing, now they want startups to be unkillable and have the possibility of growth."

Pavilion 1; Startup Booths

Mike Sigal, Founder, Sigal Ventures

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