Paddy Cosgrave returns as CEO for Web Summit 2024 in Lisbon amid mixed reactions from tech giants

Web Summit 2024 will take place in Lisbon next week, expecting over 70,000 attendees. High-profile speakers include Pharrell Williams and Microsoft CEO Brad Smith. This year’s event follows last year's controversies surrounding co-founder Paddy Cosgrave, who has returned as CEO after a brief resignation. Cosgrave's previous comments about Israel led to significant backlash, causing major tech companies to withdraw from the event. His return has seen some companies, like Meta, come back, but others remain hesitant. Legal disputes among the co-founders are also set to be heard in court next year. A new book by Catherine Sanz details the rise and challenges of Web Summit, including Cosgrave's controversial leadership style. Despite the turmoil, Cosgrave continues to lead the event, raising questions about his future approach.