Web Summit have announced that the event will move to Lisbon, Portugal in 2016. The Web Summit is to be located in Lisbon “for the next few years”, according to Portugal’s deputy prime minister, Paulo Portas. The organisors have been considering the move for quite some time. The lack of hotels, inadequate transport links and poor WiFi all contributed to the decision.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny is said to be very disappointed by the blow to the Irish economy and reputation. Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships, Mr Kenny said he hopes the summit will come back to Ireland again in the future.
“We’re excited to move but also saddened about leaving Dublin,” said founder Paddy Cosgrave. “I have nothing but thank yous to many people here after five years in Dublin. The startup community in Dublin, in particular, couldn’t have been more supportive. From people like Eamon Leonard and Ray Nolan to Chris Horn and many others, they’ve all been incredible supporters.”
Last year, the international event brought in an estimated €35 million to the Irish economy. The event expects to see 30,000 attendees at Dublin’s RDS this November. The company based in Dublin employs 130 people and will continue to be based in Ireland.