The chief executive of Web Summit, Paddy Cosgrave, has resigned following backlash over his public criticism of Israel’s response to the Hamas attacks. Major sponsors and speakers, including Google, Intel, Meta, Siemens, and Stripe, withdrew their participation from the conference, prompting Cosgrave’s resignation. In a statement, Cosgrave acknowledged that his personal comments had become a distraction from the event and apologized for any hurt caused. Web Summit still plans to proceed with the conference in Lisbon next month, and a new chief executive will be appointed soon. Despite the controversy, Web Summit anticipates a similar attendance of around 70,000 people as in previous years.
Cosgrave’s resignation comes after he criticized Western leaders and governments for supporting Israel’s military campaign against Hamas. His comments drew criticism from prominent technology founders and investors, particularly from Israel. Ravi Gupta, a partner at Sequoia Capital, and Garry Tan, the CEO of technology incubator Y Combinator, were among those who dropped out of the event. Earlier in the week, Cosgrave expressed both regret and defensiveness, condemning the Hamas attacks while reiterating his criticism of Israel’s actions. However, he eventually published an apology on Web Summit’s website, affirming his support for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.
Despite the controversy surrounding Cosgrave’s comments, Web Summit intends to continue with the conference as planned. The organization is actively seeking a new chief executive to replace Cosgrave. The event, scheduled to take place in Lisbon from November 13, aims to attract a similar number of attendees as in previous years, with around 70,000 people expected. The withdrawal of major sponsors and speakers has undoubtedly impacted the conference’s prestige, but Web Summit remains committed to providing a platform for technology-related discussions and networking opportunities.
