Storm Charles forces one‑day cancellation at Web Summit but Irish start‑ups adapt

Web Summit 2026 lost its Wednesday programme on 10 November after the Portuguese government advised against proceeding due to Storm Charles.

Organisers in Lisbon cancelled the day because of risks such as tidal flooding, public‑transport disruption and high winds affecting outdoor structures. Attendees said the worst‑case weather did not materialise, but the day was still lost.

For the 28 Irish start‑ups exhibiting with Enterprise Ireland at the Ireland Pavilion, the cancellation meant losing one of the event’s three main days. Senior client adviser Michael O’Dea said the companies quickly shifted to online meetings, setting up video sessions that ran throughout Wednesday.

When the summit resumed on Thursday, 12 November, the remaining companies shared the schedule, allowing the Wednesday exhibitors to still showcase their products. O’Dea praised the “scrappy, pioneering spirit” and solidarity of the Irish start‑ups.

Enterprise Ireland reported that 18 of the 28 firms were seeking investment, with combined fundraising targets of about €30.45 million. The delegation covered AI, cybersecurity, fintech, regulatory compliance, sustainability, construction, life sciences and enterprise software, with AI featuring prominently.

Irish AI firms have attracted €947 million in venture capital since early 2025, placing Ireland second in Europe per‑capita for AI venture‑capital activity in 2026, according to PitchBook data released by Enterprise Ireland.

During the week, several start‑ups announced new products and partnerships, including Dublin‑based Otis, which launched an AI‑powered hospitality platform, and construction tech firm EchoByld, which unveiled EchoByld Pro.

Source: Silicon Republic. Photo: Earth Photart / Pexels.