“What controversy?” inquired the journalist from a prominent global television network during the recent Web Summit Media Dinner in Lisbon. Despite the uproar and intense debates following the contentious statements against Israel made by founder Paddy Cosgrave, which led to various tech figures boycotting the event and Cosgrave stepping down as chairman and CEO while retaining a significant financial stake, the conference appeared to have navigated itself away from disaster.
With over 70,000 attendees this year, featuring numerous speakers and a designated “Forum” for networking, the general sentiment among those navigating the vast, exclusive space designated for speakers indicated approval for Katherine Maher, the new CEO. Her impassioned speech on the opening night garnered enthusiastic applause, reinforcing the belief in the heightened urgency of Web Summit’s role.
Maher’s impressive background as the former CEO of the Wikimedia Foundation and chair of the board at Signal Foundation was viewed favorably, given the divisive political climate of 2023. Despite the internal discussions and rumors among speakers, founders, and investors, the majority of attendees, largely consisting of early-stage startups and individuals nurturing budding ideas, seemed more focused on securing investments than engaging in political discourse.
Over time, Web Summit has grown resilient, likened to the imperviousness of a “Borg Cube” from Star Trek, deflecting controversies and gaining energy from challenges. Cosgrave, known for stirring controversial topics, had previous encounters, such as inviting conflicting parties like the Grayzone publication and Zelensky’s wife, resulting in a swift retraction of the Grayzone’s invitation.
Controversy has been intertwined with the event since its earlier days in Dublin, criticized for causing traffic chaos and monopolizing luxury hotels. Additional context from Dublin-based contacts highlighted Cosgrave’s involvement in Irish politics, co-founding and funding an investigative journalism unit, “The Ditch.”
The uproar stemming from Cosgrave’s tweets about Israel, initially perceived as potentially insignificant chatter among a select few, spiraled globally. Whether it was an inadvertent misstep, a calculated move for event publicity, a reflection of personal views, or linked to future plans for a tech conference in Qatar, remains unclear.
Under new leadership, Web Summit might opt for a more controversy-averse path, possibly appealing to corporate sponsors but distancing itself from the edginess of startup culture. While organizers touted the event’s strength, attendees admitted to a quieter atmosphere, allowing for deeper interactions with startups due to fewer high-profile figures present.
Despite hopes to maintain its edge, there was a noticeable absence of Maher from the vibrant social scene Cosgrave would often frequent. In an ironic parallel to Cosgrave’s brief spotlight due to his tweets, attendees shifted their focus from the controversial subject to discussing the event itself and its impact on the tech community.
However, the absence of vocal Israel advocates who had announced their non-participation left the stage devoid of public outcry, unlike previous instances such as reactions to Trump’s election a few years earlier.
