Lisbon Prepares to Host the World’s Largest Tech Gathering
This November, Lisbon transforms once again into the global capital of innovation. From 10–13 November 2025, the Web Summit returns to Portugal’s vibrant capital, bringing together over 70,000 attendees from across the world — including tech leaders, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.
Now recognised as Europe’s largest technology event, Web Summit Lisboa serves as a crossroads for emerging ideas and future-defining collaborations. Expect keynote speeches from Fortune 500 executives, in-depth panels on AI, cybersecurity, fintech, sustainability, and sports tech, and networking opportunities that link startups with top investors.
Lisbon’s Altice Arena and FIL venues will once again host this global innovation-get-together, packed with product launches, venture announcements, and debates shaping how humanity interacts with technology.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
AI, Climate Tech, and Sports Innovation on Deck
Web Summit’s 2025 agenda is driven heavily by artificial intelligence, sustainability, and the future of human-machine interaction. Expect presentations on ethical AI, climate resilience, quantum computing, and data sovereignty — all core issues molding the next decade of digital progress.
This year’s event also builds on a major new initiative: the IBM & Web Summit Sports Tech Startup Challenge. The program will identify and support startups using AI to revolutionise sports, from athlete analytics and stadium automation to fan engagement.
According to IBM, the initiative bridges technology and athletic performance:
“We’re fusing decades of experience in sports technology with the ingenuity of global startups to shape the next era of sports innovation,” said Emily Fontaine, Global Head of Venture Capital at IBM.
Regional competitions take place in Qatar, Vancouver, and Rio, culminating at Web Summit Lisbon 2026, where the global winner is selected. The top startup receives mentorship, potential funding, and a paid proof-of-concept with IBM valued at up to $100,000.
Tech, Ecosystems Converge
Founded in 2009, Web Summit grew from a small Dublin gathering to a multi-continent network of events: Web Summit Rio, Web Summit Vancouver, and Web Summit Qatar. The Lisbon edition is its flagship, drawing heavyweights like Amazon, Google, NVIDIA, Apple, Stripe, and SpaceX.
Kevin McDonald, Chief Commercial Officer at Web Summit, described the event’s impact:
“Web Summit helps showcase startups that go on to become some of the world’s biggest companies — from Revolut to Whoop. This year’s focus on AI and sustainability makes it our most forward-looking program yet.”
The 2025 conference is expected to feature over 1,000 speakers, 2,600 startups, and 1,200 investors — with tracks dedicated to deep tech, green innovation, cyber defence, and space commercialisation. The Women in Tech program also returns, building on Web Summit’s goal to improve gender representation in tech and its leadership.
Why Web Summit is on the Tech Map
Lisbon’s rise as a European tech hub mirrors the Web Summit’s expansion. Over the past decade, the event boosted local startups, attracted foreign investment, and established Portugal as a digital innovation centre.
The Portuguese government and local accelerators leveraged Web Summit’s momentum to mature ecosystems in AI, gaming, and renewable energy. Cities like Porto and Coimbra now attract venture activity linked directly to partnerships formed during Web Summit.
With the 2025 edition, Lisbon further crystallises its role as Europe’s “West Coast of innovation” — open, collaborative, and ambitious.
TF Summary: What’s Next
Web Summit Lisboa 2025 promises to share the next wave of global technology — not limited to products, but in scope, vision, and purpose. By connecting tech innovators, policymakers, and daring founders, the event keeps Lisbon at innovation’s heart.
MY FORECAST: Expect this year’s Web Summit to encourage new AI-sustainability partnerships and strengthen Europe’s role in ethical and inclusive technology development. With IBM’s sports-tech collaboration, Lisbon is emerging as a key launchpad for hopeful startups that believe technology powers competition, performance, and fandom.
— Text-to-Speech (TTS) provided by gspeech