Lisbon, Portugal is the site of one of the largest tech conferences in Europe: the Lisbon Web Summit. In November 2023, the City of Seven Hills hosted the 8th edition of this renowned event, which featured discussions, exhibits, and talks from leaders in the tech industry.

The 2023 Web Summit attracted over 70,000 attendees from 153 countries to the Altice Arena, paving the way for tech innovation and discourse. The event showcased 2,600 startups across 15 stages, utilizing a total floor space of 215,000 square meters. A significant focus was placed on promoting women in tech, with 43% of attendees being women and more than 38% of speakers identified as female.

While the event was not without controversy, new CEO Katherine Maher took to the stage to emphasize the Web Summit’s commitment to advancing critical conversations about technology and society. Notable speakers at the conference included some of the tech industry’s most influential figures, many of whom discussed topics such as data protection, digital rights, and the future of technology.

The immense scale and numerous highlights of the 2023 Lisbon Web Summit solidified its reputation as an essential event for anyone invested in the technology sector. Startup founders had the opportunity to network, present their products, and engage in pitch matches, while event attendees were treated to a diverse array of discussions and panels.