Web Summit in Lisbon: An Engine for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Find out all you need to know before attending the event.
In the last few years, Lisbon has been increasing its popularity in the startup scene due to its special ingredients that make it a unique and efficient tech ecosystem. There's the quality of life, the government's visa schemes, and incentives designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs. Together with this startup hub scenario, Lisbon has become a stage for several events and conferences, and among those, the Web Summit certainly deserves special attention.
Every year, the Web Summit attracts over 70,000 people to Lisbon, making it one of the most outstanding tech events in the world. Its mission is to put together CEOs, founders, investors, media, politicians, and cultural figureheads who are reshaping the world, allowing people to create significant connections, especially for the tech world.
Founded in 2009 by Paddy Cosgrave, David Kelly, and Daire Hickey, Web Summit was initially held in Dublin, Ireland until 2016, when it moved permanently to Lisbon. Since then, it has been covering topics centered on internet technology, emerging technologies, and venture capitalism. Web Summit's partners range from Fortune 500 companies to startups, with attendees representing all levels and sectors of the global high-technology industry.
This year, the event will take place from November 13th to 16th, and the address of the event is The Altice Arena. It will count with 2300 startups, more than 160 countries present, and more than 1000 speakers that will be present in panels, Q&A sessions, roundtables, and masterclasses.
This year, some of the most expected names that are already confirmed are:
And every week new names are released.
The ticket prices can vary from 900 euros to 24.950 euros depending on your interest, and you can purchase it through the official website. Here is what you need to know before making your purchase:
General attendee - 995 euros
It includes access to the exhibition floor, masterclasses led by experts, downloadable files of contacts, a personalized schedule builder, and more!
VIP - 4.950 euros
The difference from the General attendee ticket is the evening receptions, access to meeting spaces, fast-track registration, and access to all exhibition floor lounges.
Chairperson - 24.950
This ticket will grant you access to the Forum space (an area dedicated to speaker preparation), 1:1 personalized support with a Web Summit team member, and private parking.
Investors - 1.195 euros
Besides all the general attendee benefits, it will provide you with an Investor networking database, a searchable startup database, pre-arranged investor-to-investor meetings, pre-arranged investor-to-startup meetings, investor-specific content, and investor Lounge access.
Despite the price being high, and no discount offered to students, it is a great enriching career and life opportunity, through hundreds of life-changing speakers, exciting companies, fantastic networking opportunities, and even investors that will enhance your path. If we take into consideration the basic package, you will have access to the talks held by hundreds of speakers and diverse themes, covering over 30 topics that are all somehow related to tech.
It is a program dedicated to early-stage startups with outstanding potential, that offers you the chance to join a global community of startups, each one selected by the Web Summit team for its potential, uniqueness, and world-changing ideas. If chosen, you’ll get three tickets to Web Summit, access to Investor to Startup meetings, and be eligible to apply for PITCH, Startup masterclasses, Mentor Hours, and more.
The applications for 2023 are still open. If you have a startup and believe the Web Summit is the right fit for you, don't miss the chance to apply for the ALPHA program.
Web Summit doesn’t end with the final talk of the day. Lisbon has limitless options for late-night networking, so every night, attendees take to the streets to explore the city and create connections along the way. So check here the schedule for your Web Summit nights:
Located on the riverfront, this spot is currently undergoing massive cultural regeneration. Many artists and investors have recognized the potential of some of the area’s derelict spaces, turning them into galleries, restaurants, and craft breweries, and the area comes to life at night time.
Praça do Comércio boasts stunning neoclassical architecture and a fantastic view of the Tagus. As evening falls, this vibrant hub in the heart of Lisbon transforms into a spectacle of lights, with tantalizing food trucks on hand to fuel your networking and dealmaking.
As the Night Summit draws to a close, the excitement doesn't end there. Amongst the radiant lights and buzzing atmosphere, you'll have the chance to revel in the connections forged and the memories made during Web Summit Lisbon 2023.
By metro:
Oriente metro station is only 300 meters from the event venue (Altice Arena). If you’re coming from the city, take the green line from Baixa-Chiado to Alameda. From there, take the red line to Oriente (Estação do Oriente).
Alternatively, you can take the blue line from Baixa-Chiado to São Sebastião. From there, you can take the red line to Oriente.
You can check metro routes and timetables here.
By bus:
Take the 728, 744, or 782 bus route to Oriente Station (Estação do Oriente), which is roughly 300 meters from the event venue (Altice Arena).
You can get more details here.
By taxi:
You can catch a city taxi from most areas in Lisbon, or use ride share apps such as Uber, Bolt, or Free Now. Dedicated drop-off and collection points at the venue will operate on all event days. But keep in mind that because of the higher number of people using the service, prices and waiting time might be higher, so we suggest you to plan your ride in advance, also considering the hour of rush in the morning to go to the event.
Transport discount for Web Summit attendees:
You can get up to 54% off the cost of a one-day, three-day, or five-day pass, which covers the entire Lisbon public transport network, including the Metro, trams, trains, buses, funiculars, and lifts.
You can buy your Web Summit transport pass at any time between October 17 and November 4. Passes can be purchased online on the Metro Lisboa website (Portuguese-language or English-language), in person at Lisbon Airport near the Web Summit registration marquee, or in person at Oriente next to the Metro station entrance.
Web Summit takes place at the Altice Arena, just next door to the Parque das Nações, a neighborhood that was a stage for the World Fair Expo 1998 and is situated close to the airport. If you prefer to stay close to the event, here we have some hotel options for you:
But during the Web Summit, there are a lot of after-hours activities taking place in neighborhoods like Cais do Sodré, Chiado, and the Bairro Alto. If you prefer to hit some of the best spots in the city, we suggest you pick a hotel located in the city center and close to the metro line, so you can easily access the event, but keep up with the nightlife. Here are some recommendations:
If you are looking for a good networking opportunity, inspiring content and talks, or driving your business forward, the Web Summit is just the right fit for you. No matter if you are a tech passionate, entrepreneur, or just a student, it won't miss opportunities for you during the event. The Web Summit was described as "The best conference on the planet" by Forbes in 2022, We hope you don’t miss out on this exciting experience in Lisbon, see you there!
Lisbon experiences daytime temperatures between 15°C and 20°C in November. However, as the sun sets, evenings and nights can turn cooler, making it advisable to keep an extra layer on hand for comfort. Additionally, November falls within Lisbon's rainy season, so occasional light rain showers are not uncommon. Nevertheless, despite the possibility of rain and cooler nights, mid-November in Lisbon generally offers pleasant conditions for exploring the city and its attractions.
You can check what to bring during this time of the year in our article What to Bring When Moving to Lisbon.
To avoid heading back to your hotel once you reach the conference, make sure to be well prepared and pop the following in your bag: