Blog #90 – Web Summit Learnings

I had the pleasure of attending Web Summit in Lisbon this year and wanted to jot down a few thoughts while they’re still fresh. I went in with no real expectations. A few things became obvious quite quickly:

• AI dominated everything: sometimes hype, sometimes genuinely impressive.

• Job displacement; whole functions (CX especially) are already being reshaped.

• Human connection felt more valuable than ever, precisely because so much around us is moving towards automation.

• Impact and sustainability were far less visible than they should be. I’ve always believed tech and entrepreneurship are among the strongest tools we have for environmental, social, and economic problems, that message was missing.

• Energy: one of the biggest bottlenecks

• People: a reminder that builders come in every form, background, and intensity.

A chaotic, overwhelming, but ultimately inspiring week.

Blue Economy

The Blue Economy presence at Web Summit was noticeably small. I did meet a couple of really exciting companies, OZEAON being one I hope to stay connected with, but overall, ocean-focused innovation felt like a quiet corner in a very loud room.

Most of the floor was dominated by AI, fintech, and crypto, which isn’t surprising, but it does highlight a gap. Oceans are still treated as a niche topic on the global tech stage, despite being central to climate, energy, logistics, and biodiversity. The few ventures that were there felt early but ambitious, and it reminded me how much potential sits untapped in this space.

AI Fatigue

AI was everywhere, on stages, in booths, in conversations, in every second pitch deck. After a while, it became hard to tell what was meaningful progress and what was just another wrapper trying to ride the wave. There were some genuinely interesting sessions on investing in AI and the rise of "agentic" workflows, but equally a sense that we are hitting a saturation point.

It made me think about the Blue Economy: there’s a huge need for real applied AI for monitoring, detection, forecasting, optimisation, not just another layer on top of a PDF. The opportunity is wide open for startups that can move past surface-level automation and build tools that meaningfully support ocean data, operations, and infrastructure. ALSO, this is a time maybe to start peeling away from the masses.

Talks & Takeaways

• Agentic VC: a look at how automated scouts and AI-driven dealflow engines might reshape venture capital. If sourcing becomes fully automated, differentiation will shift even more toward networks, judgement, and niche expertise, especially in sectors like the Blue Economy where context matters.

• Quantum Computing: still early, still abstract for most industries, but the potential is hard to ignore. For simulation-heavy fields, quantum could eventually open doors traditional computing struggles with.

• Replit Use Cases: a reminder that small engineering teams can now build at a pace that used to require a full stack of talent.

• HealthTech: some interesting cases on AI-driven diagnostics and patient workflows.

They were scattered insights, but each pointed in the same direction: the world is moving fast, and the tools available to early-stage builders are getting stronger by the month.

The Human Element

Nothing replaces human connection. For all the talk about AG workflows, automation, and digital-first everything, the most valuable moments at Web Summit came from quick conversations, accidental introductions, and two-minute chats that told me more than most panels.

• Face-to-face beats everything

• Trust still drives opportunity especially in early-stage ecosystems where founders are betting on each other as much as the idea.

• Storytelling is king: the people who could communicate clearly and authentically cut through the crowd instantly.

• In a digital world, warmth becomes a differentiator something AI can’t replicate.

It reinforced a simple point: as industries become more automated and digitised, the ability to connect, listen, and build relationships will only become more valuable.

Closing Thoughts

Web Summit was chaotic, overwhelming, energising and absolutely worth the trip. Even with the AI fatigue and the noise, I walked away with new ideas, good conversations, and a clearer sense of where things are heading.

An inspiring week that reminded me why I care about tech: the people, the creativity, the urgency, and the belief that tech and entrepreneurship will solve meaningful problems.

CIAO

OTI H