Top 10 Web Summit talks and side events you shouldn’t miss this year
Are you excited about the Web Summit being just around the corner? Our team at BRIDGE IN sure is! Over 70,000 attendees from the global tech ecosystem are expected to gather in Lisbon from November 10-13. Being based in this sunny city, we can already hear the buzz building up.
But let’s be real. This tech conference, with so many talks and meetups and side events happening at the same time in different locations, can be very overwhelming. Especially if this is your first time attending.
That’s why we’ve done the homework for you and selected the top 10 unmissable talks and side events you shouldn’t miss this year.
P.S. If you will only attend the side events, feel free to jump to number 10 to check them out.
Top 10 Web Summit talks and side events you shouldn’t miss this year
1. Building for the 99%: inside Lovable, the world’s fastest-growing tech company
Why: To find out how Lovable went from a simple idea to $100M ARR in 8 months
When: Monday, Nov 10 from 18:35 to 19:00
Who: Anton Osika, Co-founder and CEO at Lovable
Where: Centre Stage
Considering this fireside chat is happening during the opening night, it’s hard to miss it. However, if you’re thinking of skipping the opening night, this talk might convince you otherwise.
Osika, CEO and Co-Founder of Lovable, was previously a particle physicist at CERN. Before co-founding Lovable, he also co-founded YC-backed Depict.ai, raising $20M.
Lovable, on the other hand, had quite a crazy journey, going from a simple idea to $100M ARR in 8 months. This fireside chat will reveal how the team at Lovable managed to achieve that as well as what comes next for Lovable as they aim to grow their customer base from 2 to 8 million.
2. The inside scoop: digital marketing insights from Meta's CMO
Why: To discover the formula for digital marketing success
When: Tuesday, Nov 11 from 14:00 to 14:20
Who: Alex Schultz, CMO at Meta and Sara Fischer, Media Correspondent at Axios
Where: Centre Stage
Want to get the inside scoop on how to achieve growth through digital marketing? Who better to learn from than Meta’s own marketing mastermind, Alex Schultz? As Meta’s CMO, Schultz propelled Meta to achieve 2 billion users.
During this talk, Schultz will reveal some key principles and best practices as well as talk about his new book "Click Here: The Art and Science of Digital Marketing and Advertising." Exciting!
3. Truth in the age of propaganda and polarisation
Why: To learn how to promote truth and combat misinformation
When: Tuesday, Nov 11 from 10:20 to 10:40
Who: A.G. Sulzberger, Chairman and Publisher at The New York Times and Katherine Maher, CEO at NPR
Where: Centre Stage
In this age of propaganda and polarisation, when facts and reality come into conflict when misinformation is backed by powerful agendas, you can’t help but wonder if we’ve come to an irreversible point where fighting for truth is considered a radical movement.
New York Times chairman and publisher A.G. Sulzberger will be joined by NPR CEO Katherine Maher to talk about all the above, as well as discuss the state of the free press today.
Fun fact: Maher was the interim CEO of Web Summit in Lisbon from October 2023 until January 2024 before becoming the CEO of NPR.
4. Solving today’s talent matchmaking crisis
Why: To lift the veil on today’s talent matchmaking crisis
When: Tuesday, Nov 11 from 10:30 to 10:45
Who: Wouter Durville, CEO and Co-founder at TestGorilla
Where: Stage 8
Here’s a funny conundrum:
63% of employers say that it’s harder to find great talent than a year ago
70% of job seekers say it’s harder to land a job
And on top of this, people are complaining about AI taking their jobs. There comes a point when you might go: “Make it make sense, please.”
And that’s exactly what this keynote talk is aiming to solve. Is it a talent shortage or is it a complete mismatch? Or is it that companies aren’t looking into untapped talent in other parts of the world?
At BRIDGE IN we help you expand your business and easily tap into the Portugal, Spain, and Italy markets.
5. The legacy playbook for AI agents won't work
Why: To find out how why you should follow an AI-native approach
When: Tuesday, Nov 11 from 10:15 to 10:35
Who: Jesse Zhang, Co-founder and CEO at Decagon AI
Where: Stage 4
Decagon AI Co-founder and CEO Jesse Zhang will share his perspective on why the legacy playbook for AI agents, which is code-heavy and engineer-dependent, is not the right approach.
Join this keynote to learn how an AI-native approach is the way to go, since it puts control back in the hands of the people who are closest to the end user.
6. The pulse of European venture capital
Why: To gain a clear view of the European VC ecosystem
When: Tuesday, Nov 11 from 11:15 to 11:35
Who: Yusuf Özdalga, Partner at QED Investors, Stephanie Sher, Founder and Managing Partner at Integral Ventures, and Nalin Patel, Director of Research at PitchBook
Where: Stage 14
For the longest time, the venture capital market in the United States has been the leading one. With that said, it’s time to check the pulse of the European venture capital landscape.
If you’re curious to learn more about the VC market beyond the US and gain a clear view of how that landscape is doing in Europe, this is the keynote talk for you. It will unveil not only the health of the VC capital in Europe but also the direction that this ecosystem is taking.
7. Turning wearables into early-warning systems
Why: To find out if your wearables could one day save your life
When: Thursday, Nov 13, from 11:05 to 11:25
Who: Tom Hale, CEO at Oura
Where: Stage 11
After checking the pulse on Europe’s VC market, it’s time to let your wearables check your own pulse. What if we told you a wearable, one day, could save your life - would you believe it?
On the last day of the conference, Tom Hale, CEO of Oura, will shed more light on this topic as he explores how continuous biometrics and your own data can help reveal early signs of illness before any potential disease symptoms manifest.
8. Regulating at the speed of innovation
Why: To find out how the Irish Data Protection Commission is setting regulation precedents
When: Thursday, Nov 13 from 14:25 to 14:45
Who: Des Hogan, Commissioner at Data Protection Commission and Pascale Davies, Tech Reporter at Euronews
Where: Centre Stage
This is yet another fireside chat you have to attend on the last day of Web Summit. Regulation, when designed poorly, can hinder innovation. But when the frameworks are thoughtfully implemented, regulation can provide clarity for innovation to thrive. It can also drive innovation towards solving critical challenges society is facing..
This talk will focus on how Ireland is setting the precedents that could have a global impact in the years to come.
9. Walk and Talk
Why: To have 1:1s and connect with fellow Web Summit attendees
When: Wednesday, Nov 12 from 11:00-16:50
Who: Web Summit attendees
Where: Praça MEO Arena. Starting point: next to the giant screen
For the first time, Web Summit Lisbon is introducing the Walk and Talk meetups, so we had to include this cool idea in the list (even though it is not a talk per se).
If you like holding meetings while walking, you will love this new concept. All you need to do is show up and be open to connecting with others.
P.S. These meetups are not happening only on November 12 but also on November 11 and 13, during the same time frames: 11:00-16:50.
10. Web Summit side events
Last but not least, the cool thing about Web Summit is that it is not only happening at the main venues but also across Lisbon (and other cities) with many organizations, tech incubators, and other venues organizing side events during the Web Summit week.
Most of these side events are free to attend, but you might need to RSVP in advance. And as a rule of thumb, a ticket to Web Summit is generally not required to attend most side events.
Here are our top 5 picks, chronologically:
1. Portugal Tech Week
When: Friday, Nov 7 until Nov 16
Where: All over Portugal
Organizer: 351 Portuguese Startup Association
While it’s mentioned as a single side event, please keep in mind that there are a lot of events happening during Portugal Tech Week. The events will take place all over Portugal the week before, during, and after Web Summit.
300 free events
20 cities
23,000+ participants
One of the events 351 Portuguese Startup Association is organizing is the Lisbon Tech Run on November 9 at 10:00. You can check out the full agenda here.
2. Elétrico Pitch
When: Sunday, Nov 9 from 18:00 to 20:00
Where: Lisbon
Organizer: 351 Portuguese Startup Association
Picture this: You’re in Lisbon, riding the famous yellow tram through the heart of Lisbon, while pitching in front of global investors. 12 selected startups will have the opportunity to do so and the winner will get a prize of €5,000 by Deel.
Part of the Portugal Tech Week, Elétrico Pitch is a “revolutionary twist on the classic 30' pitch, propelling it into a realm of historic charm and dynamic potential,” as mentioned on the event website.
While this year’s deadline just passed, keep an eye out for the next event. Below you can check the 2024 edition:
3. AI startup founders sunset meetup
When: Sunday, Nov 9 from 19:00 to 21:00
Where: Quiosque do Cais
Organizer: ActionGrid.ai
If you are an AI startup founder in Lisbon or coming to Lisbon the weekend before Web Summit, this free and casual sunset meetup will be the right one to kick off Web Summit.
AI founders and innovators from around the world will talk about growth strategies, fundraising, and collaboration opportunities over drinks while enjoying the sunset in Lisbon. Feel free to RSVP here.
4. Scaling climate solutions (innovation tracks)
When: Monday, Nov 10 from 9:30 to 11:30
Where: greenhub, by Unicorn Factory Lisboa
Organizer: Startup Portugal
Ready to join the dialogue on how climate tech is driving change? At this free side event organized by Startup Portugal, you will get to connect with entrepreneurs who are turning climate challenges into business opportunities.
During the Web Summit week, they are also organizing more events focused on Fintech, Green Technology, Gaming, and AI sectors.
5. Investing in future technologies: how to get EU funding for your project?
When: Tuesday, Nov 11 from 14:30 to 15:15
Where: Masterclass Room 3 at HaDEA
Organizer: HaDEA
This is one of the side events you shouldn't miss if you want to learn how to get EU funding for your project.
The masterclass is hosted by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA). Marina Zanchi, Director at HaDEA and Silke Obst, Head of Unit Zanchi will be joined by 4 representatives from 4 HaDEA-managed projects:
Ricardo Jorge Bessa from AI4REALNET
Italo Mattia Spada from OpenDBL
Cristina Balla from FIERCE
Jamilia Arykbaeva from RadioVal
Let’s meet at Web Summit?
BRIDGE IN’s team will be at Web Summit this year, and we’ll be happy to chat with you about anything, from the latest Web Summit talk to how you can scale your business into Portugal, Spain, or Italy.
Find us at the Unicorn Factory Lisboa Stand on November 12 from 9:00 to 12:30, or reach out to our team, Elisa Tarzia and Juxhina Malaj to schedule any other time to meet from November 10-13.
Hope we see you there!
Source for all images: Web Summit
