Web Summit is a gathering of world leaders, CEOs, students and enthusiasts to encourage tech innovation, to find answers to the world’s pressing issues, as well as allow the magic of serendipity to take place
As a student of entrepreneurship, I am always on the lookout for amazing opportunities to learn from the masters of the trade and I reckon it doesn’t get bigger than attending the annual Web Summit.
The Web Summit promises to bring together the same number of attendees as you can expect from a Manchester United versus Liverpool game, as well as the biggest names in the business world that is not too different from those experienced at an Oscar Award Ceremony for actors.
Essentially, Web Summit is a gathering of world leaders, CEOs, students and enthusiasts to encourage tech innovation, to find answers to the world’s pressing issues, as well as allow the magic of serendipity to take place. And for the first time since its inception in 2010, Web Summit will take place in Lisbon (originally in Dublin) from the 7th till the 10th of November 2016.
Also Read: An Asian startup’s reaction to the Web Summit controversy
Admittedly, there have been numerous articles opposing Web Summit for a host of reasons and while that may be the case, I reckon I’ll make my verdict only once the curtain falls on the 10th November 2016. Until then, here are four reasons why I’ve got my tickets booked:
Boost my understanding of the entrepreneurship world
I am currently on my final two months of the year-long Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme offered by Nanyang Technological University, where coupled with my internship, I have also made concerted efforts to learn the ropes of starting and running a business through networking events and private face-to-face coffee sessions with entrepreneurs.
If Web Summit’s marketing messages are to be believed, I can foresee taking my growth and development to a higher level, especially with experts in the field sharing their views on a myriad of tracks. These tracks extend from the AI Summit, where the issues on ethics and commercial applications are explored, to Machine Summit where Internet of Things is the name of the game. And with Singapore in pursuit of becoming a SmartNation, there may be some areas that could be relevant — to StartUp University – which I reckon will be pretty much a crash course on being an entrepreneur. One place you’ll definitely find me would be the Sport Summit where talks on data analytics for elite performance by world class coaches and athletes will take place.
Dancing among the stars
Web Summit is pretty much a constellation with the biggest and brightest stars of the tech scene gracing the event and it would be a pipe dream to sit and have a coffee with every one of them. So if I manage to chance a meeting with any of them, I reckon they’ll be nice enough to answer one question.
Ted Chng
Who: Serial entrepreneur and Co- founder of Merry Jane Media with Snoop Dogg
What is Merry Jane Media: It provides the latest in cannabis use and ultimate aims remove the stigma of using it.
One question: Do you think Singapore, with its strong stand against drugs, will ever be a place for Cannabis to flourish and be accepted?
Richard Arnold
Who: Managing Director of Manchester United Football Club nominee for Sports Innovator of the Year with his commercial work at MUFC. This includes securing the most valuable sports sponsorship by Adidas worth US$1.3 billion.
What is MUFC: One of the giants of the football past, winning the football’s oldest competition – English FA Cup – last season
One question: Loved how MUFC has recruited during the summer with big names coming in. My question is, were there ever thoughts of reinstating Sir Alex Ferguson as team head coach and manager since he stepped down?
Nathan Eagle
Who: Founder of Jana
What is Jana: The largest provider of free unrestricted Internet access in emerging markets
One question: How did you convince investors and partnering mobile operators to offer free Internet, and yet still be a profitable company?
Relevant reading – Nathan Eagle: How We’ll Bring Free Internet to 1 Billion People
Ronaldinho
Who Brazilian football legend who has pretty much won the every notable trophy in world football – individual or team.
One question – May I have your autograph?
Alex Kein
Who: Founder of Kano
What is Kano: A build-it-yourself kit for kids that provides an amazing coding learning experience
One question: Singapore government has made concerted efforts to be a SmartNation and with the US$19 billion investment in the RIE2020, including offering Computing as an ‘O’ levels subject, just wondering if Kano has any plans to expand into Asia?
Luis Figo
Who: Portuguese football superstar who has played for footballing giants Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and was a gem in Portugal’s Golden Generation in the 90’s – heavily involved in– Dream Factory Network
What is the Dream Factory Network: Figo watch allows youth players to upload videos of them playing which will serve as a scouting tool
One question: Recent news have shone the spotlight on notable clubs who have been guilty of flouting the rules –Article 19 –where a club cannot sign a player under 18 – seeing how this idea fresh on everyone’s minds, how does DFN go around this seeing that its target demographic may those that article 19 is applicable.
Relevant reading –The Lost Boys: Inside Football’s Slave Trade
First time in Lisbon
My one year Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme has enabled me to take weekend trips to the major cities in Europe – Paris, Munich, Prague, Zagreb and Ljubljana to list a few – and attending Web Summit would give me a great chance to add to this list.
As a football fan, I’ll be paying homage to the home of the European Champions as well as three-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, formerly of Sporting Lisbon (professional club in Lisbon), Manchester United and currently, Real Madrid.
Attending on a Student Scholarship
While I’ve only recently set foot into the world of entrepreneurship, I have come to acquaint myself with the number of big-ticket events that brings together the big names of the corporate and start-up scene: TNW, TechCrunch and of course, Web Summit. Prices can easily hit upwards of GBP 300 (US$388) going all the up to GBP 1,000 (US$1294) and while I understand how anything worth doing is worth the effort, I felt I could do without it at this stage of my development, as much as I would love the opportunity.
I must admit then when my mentor Doug Morrison nominated me for the Student Scholarship – Web Summit offers to students, allowing them to attend the event for free – I was speechless and grateful, and I knew this aspiration was very much alive.
Confirmation of my complimentary tickets came in a month later, leading my mates (four of whom I could bring along) rejoice and plans are well underway for a great time in Lisbon in more ways than one.
My excitement stems from the promise Web Summit has provided through their relentless advertising and follow-up emails, and to avoid making any judgments based on the opinions of others, I’ll be keeping a positive outlook. I’ll be sure to upload a post-Web Summit article, for sure.
And if you’re heading down to, or based in Lisbon, feel free to give me a shout!
#roadtoLisbon #herewego #keeplearning #Web Summit
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