Impact startups at Web Summit

We want to celebrate the emerging companies within our network that are striving to make the UN Sustainable Development Goals achievable.

Our impact startup programme showcases the startups working to have a positive impact on their communities, industries and ecosystems, and introduces them to the world’s leading investors, companies and media.

Apply for our 2025 startup program, and join us next year in Lisbon.

Deborah Brosnan
Climate Scientist & Marine Biologist
Deborah Brosnan & Associates

What are Impact startups?

Impact startups are selected for the innovation they show in following the UN’s SDGs – 17 objectives in the fight for a better world.

We define Impact startups within our network based on four factors:

1. Pursuing one or more of the SDGs through their operations.
2. Adapting enterprise objectives to be more sustainable.
3. Solving industry problems that could have a far-reaching effect.
4. Prioritising social collaboration and idea-sharing over competition and profit.

Photograph of The Solutions project CEO Gloria Walton speaking on the Planet Tech Stage at Web Summit. Gloria is gesturing with hands and sitting on a chair.

Meet our 2024 Impact Startups

Benefits of being an Impact startup

A person appears to be addressing a small crowd of people. The person is gesturing with both hands as if emphasising a point. Visible in the background are people and exhibition stands.

Brand awareness

The world’s leading media publications and journalists will join Web Summit 2024 looking for the next big news story.

Investor to Startup meetings area at Web Summit

Funding

We have invited investors who are specifically interested in funding social enterprise startups, giving you access to 1,000+ investors, impact-focused VCs and entrepreneurs.

three attendees smiling and chatting around a laptop

Networking

Start networking weeks before the event with the Web Summit app – reach out to investors, sign up for Mentor Hours, and find potential leads.

A view of an attendee taking notes at Masterclasses Stage during day two of Web Summit 2023 at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal

Learning

Schedule meetings with founders from your industry, and learn from our impact focused masterclasses, roundtables and curated content tracks.

What happens when I apply?

A photograph of three people sitting at a roundtable. One person appears to be talking and the other two are listening, with their backs faced to the camera. There is an Apple MacBook sitting on the table between the three people.

Chat to our specialist team

One of our startup experts will be in touch to discuss your company, goals and objectives for Web Summit.

Assessment and selection

Our team dedicates countless hours to finding the most exciting, high-potential startups to join our events.

Prepare with our startup success team

Your dedicated startup success manager will work with you to help guide you through the startup journey and get the best out of attending Web Summit.

Time for Web Summit

Now for the main event. Fill your time at Web Summit with our many startup activations: PITCH, our startup battle; Mentor Hours, our advisory sessions with business leaders; and more.

"Our world is now in the early stages of a sustainability revolution."

Al Gore, Chairman, Generation Investment Management

“We need to move people from apathy to action over climate change.”

Sophia Kianni, Founder & Climate Activist, Climate Cardinals

Join Web Summit

Apply for our 2025 startup program, and join us next year in Lisbon.

Startup activations at Web Summit

Startups at Web Summit benefit from masterclasses, competitions, Mentor Hours, and networking opportunities with top investors and industry experts. Our initiatives are designed with your goals in mind.

Explore all startup activations