From modest beginnings in 2010 with just 500 visitors, the Web Summit has mushroomed in just three years to become the most exciting conference for tech start-ups. The key to its success has been the ability of the organisors to attract first-rate US entrepreneurs to speak and hang out at the Summit and the accompanying Founders conference.

Local talent from Google, Facebook, Paypal, Yahoo, and LInkedin is also expected. Many of these companies have their HQs in the "Silicon Docks" area of the city!