For the first time ever in Portugal, Web Summit will run its new scholarship programme, which unites up to 500 young people looking to change the future. The majority of selected scholars hail from Portugal. The programme is designed to empower young people – some of whom will become tech’s future leaders – so they can own their development and build connections that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Portugal’s thriving tech ecosystem, world-class talent, creativity and culinary scene will be on the world stage throughout the week of Web Summit. As host country, Portugal will be well represented in all dimensions of the event, from speakers and programming to start-ups and partners on the exhibition floor.

Some of the top Portuguese start-ups at Web Summit include: Bairro - A micro fulfilment operator with an optimised supply chain focused on empowering e-retailing and digitalisation for offline retailers and shops, RealFevr - A Portuguese Web3 start-up building an ambitious ecosystem around licensed digital sports collectibles and video games, Zharta - A Web3 DeFi lending platform bringing borrowers liquidity and investors low-risk yield on blockchain by providing NFT collateralised instant loans and Portal da Queixa - A digital platform and SaaS company that brings businesses and consumers together to foster trust and build reputation, Sound Particles - The creators of 3D-audio software that’s used in major Hollywood studios, and in productions such as Game of Thrones and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Hoopers - A global basketball community that connects players, fans and enthusiasts through products, contents, experiences and NFTs.

Some of the prominent Portuguese speakers include Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, Antonio Costa, prime minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa Silva, minister of economy and maritime affairs and Carlos Moedas, mayor of Lisbon, Mayor Carlos Moedas who will use the opportunity to announce the latest developments in relation to the launch of the Unicorn Factory in Lisbon, which was announced at last year’s Web Summit.

Positive impact on the Portuguese economy

Web Summit continues to have a positive impact on the Portuguese economy. In previous years Web Summit has: Generated more than €200 million in economic activity during the week of the event, had an approximately €72 million effect on domestic demand, and an impact on national tax revenue of €24.9 million (2019), added €64.4 million to the Portuguese hospitality industry over the four days of the event (2019), according to the Portuguese Hotel, Restaurant and Similar Association (AHRESP) , with attendees spending about €125 a day on accommodation alone, generated an average of €400 in earnings for Lisbon-based Airbnb hosts over the four days of Web Summit 2021, according to figures from Airbnb. That’s nearly half of the national average minimum wage income for an entire month. During the second quarter of 2022, Airbnb has seen a rise of more than 80 percent in searches for accommodation in Lisbon for the days surrounding Web Summit.