DigitalMara attended Web Summit 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, from November 13 to 16. Startups, investors, industry experts and tech enthusiasts gathered to network, share ideas, get insights from leading experts and participate in conversations on exciting topics. Here’s a look at some of the main themes and our impressions and take-aways.
First, some statistics from organizers of Web Summit 2023:
- 70,236 people from 153 countries attended,
- 43% of attendees and 38% of speakers were women,
- 2,608 startups exhibited, almost one in three founded by women,
- attendees included more than 900 VCs, angel investors and major funds,
- 321 partners were present on the exhibition floor.
The event included more than 25 content tracks and 16 stages, covering everything from deep tech, the future of work and supply chains to sport, music and entertainment. However, the most talked-about technology was definitely Artificial Intelligence, starting with the opening ceremony, where Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales discussed the benefits of large learning models for the sake of accuracy and how AI could improve Wikipedia. Other sessions dealt with regulations, ethics, GenAI, various ways to use AI, building AI ecosystems, ChatGPT and much more.
Microsoft chief sustainability officer Melanie Nakagawa, for example, outlined how AI could be used to address sustainability challenges and to accelerate the creation of climate solutions. Athan Stephanopoulos, executive vice president of CNN, talked about the prospects and pitfalls of using AI in journalism. Hovhannes Avoyan, the founder and CEO of Picsart, explained how AI could fuel entrepreneurship, raise a creator economy, and democratize creativity and marketing. Shell’s Head of AI, Amy Challen, shared the company’s experience with GenAI and its potential in the energy industry.
Obviously, Web Summit is heaven for startups, which get access to master classes, Mentor Hours, round tables, showcase sessions, and networking opportunities with top investors and industry experts.
Each day, PITCH sessions took place, including small project presentations and Q&As with investors. Some 105 startups from many countries and industries were selected to participate in this three-day competition. The 2023 winner is Inspira, a startup from Brazil that offers a digital platform based on AI for lawyers. It allows optimizing day-to-day tasks such as research, knowledge management, readings, analytics, and reporting. Other finalists were Cognimate, a health startup from Cyprus, and Kinderpedia, a childcare solutions business from Romania.
Some other themes that stood out at the event:
- The climate tech sector poses challenges for startups aspiring to succeed, with notable blind spots. Experts enumerated the steps climate-tech founders need to take to rapidly scale and accelerate their impact, from securing the initial institutional investment to navigating through an IPO and beyond. They provided insights into some tools that can facilitate this journey.
- Technology is fundamentally transforming education by providing innovative tools and resources that enhance learning, collaboration, and accessibility. Experts discussed how to foster critical thinking and cultivate essential skills for the 21st century.
- Ensuring the sustainability of technologies and processes is a crucial consideration in today’s rapidly evolving world. Achieving sustainability involves addressing environmental, social, and economic impacts to create solutions that endure over the long term. Experts from various industries shared their vision.
- Financial analysts have evaluated the repercussions of the banking crises and minimal investments in Fintech projects this year. Conversations revolved around the potential emergence of new phases of innovation and creativity within the industry, exploring collaborative opportunities between traditional banks and Fintech companies. Another focal point for discussion included the application of AI in finance, alongside an examination of current trends and challenges facing the Fintech industry.
- The intersection of digital transformation and energy transition represents a critical nexus in shaping the future of the energy landscape. As societies worldwide seek more sustainable and efficient energy solutions, digital technologies play a pivotal role in revolutionizing how energy is produced, distributed, and consumed. Experts shared their knowledge on insights and tools needed for a greener and more resilient future.
- E-commerce experts shared current industry insights and discussed future trends.
DigitalMara
Our team, Tatyana Vasilkova, manager of strategic partnerships, and Ksenia Repina, marketing lead, attended Web Summit and shared their impressions:
“WebSummit is an incredible platform for catching the latest trends and feeling the pulse of the tech market in all its details. Everyone in the audience at this biggest tech event in Europe can achieve incredible results. For startups, there are several opportunities to pitch their ideas to investors. Companies can establish media and partnership relations on a really high level. Not to mention the great benefits of hearing speeches, panel discussions, round tables and master classes on more than 15 stages.”
Our team met with a lot of people and made many new connections, attended several sessions and heard from interesting speakers, visited the exhibits of various companies and spotted a lot of startups with groundbreaking ideas. Spending time at the Web Summit was enormously beneficial.
