AI and Innovation at Web Summit 2025: Investor Trends and IPO Outlook

Web Summit 2025, held from 10 to 13 November in Lisbon, Portugal, convened global leaders in technology, investment, and innovation. The event drew more than 71,000 participants from 157 countries, including a record number of investors—a clear indication of renewed confidence in technology-led growth and cross-border deal-making.

Our team attended this flagship annual conference to gain first-hand insights and distil key takeaways on investor sentiment and IPO outlook within the technology sector—critical themes shaping capital markets and future deal flow.

AI Moves from Hype to Operational Discipline

Artificial Intelligence dominated discussions, not as a buzzword but as a core driver of business transformation. Seventy-eight per cent of organisations now use AI, and seventy-one per cent have adopted generative AI, reporting an average 3.7x return on investment for every pound invested. Founders leveraging AI achieve product-market fit two to three times faster, making AI integration a critical factor in valuations and strategic exits.

Investor surveys revealed that AI is reshaping deal processes: the top use cases include summarising due diligence materials (34%) and identifying relevant deals (26%), accelerating transaction timelines and improving decision-making.

Fundraising Momentum: Record Investor Engagement and Startup Innovation

The official Web Summit report highlights that AI and machine learning were the most represented sectors among 2,725 start-ups, reflecting investor priorities. Crunchbase data shows that nearly 200 start-ups from last year’s programme raised $715.5 million post-event, with AI ventures leading the charge. This trend reinforces the importance of early investor engagement and transparent data sharing for founders seeking to capitalise on this momentum.

Web Summit 2025 also showcased breakthrough ideas shaping the future of funding. Portugal-based Granter won the top prize at the Web Summit PITCH competition, beating 104 other finalists from a pool of 2,725 startups. Granter’s AI-powered grant assistant helps businesses find the best funding opportunities, check eligibility instantly, and craft strong applications, making the path to securing capital faster and smarter. Read more about Granter’s win at Web Summit 2025 PITCH competition.

IPO Outlook: Signs of Rebound

Global equity markets are showing signs of recovery, and this optimism was echoed in conversations at Web Summit 2025. Analysts from McKinsey and KPMG forecast accelerating M&A volumes, supported by falling interest rates and improving macro conditions. In parallel, Morgan Stanley reports that IPO activity is gaining traction in late 2025, with strong demand expected into 2026—particularly for technology and AI-driven companies. For founders and advisers, this signals that preparation for public market entry should begin now, as investor appetite for innovative tech businesses strengthens.

DFIN: Enabling Tech Deals in the Era of AI

As AI adoption accelerates, regulatory and privacy risks intensify—making robust data governance essential for cross-border transactions. For technology ventures pursuing global expansion, securing sensitive intellectual property and customer data during fundraising or M&A is no longer optional; it’s a strategic imperative.

DFIN brings proven expertise to this landscape. Since 2017, we’ve supported more than 800 traditional IPOs and 350 SPACs globally. Today, over 2,000 companies rely on our compliance solutions, and we process 170,000 regulatory filings annually—leveraging automation, digital technologies, and AI to save time and reduce risk.

Our solutions are designed for speed, security, and compliance at every stage of the deal lifecycle:

• Venue® Virtual Data Room (VDR): Secure document disclosure, built-in due diligence workflows, granular permissions, and region-specific compliance frameworks for multi-jurisdictional deals.
• IPO Readiness Solutions: Streamlined disclosure and regulatory filings for companies preparing to go public.
• Risk Mitigation for Intangible Assets: Protect intellectual property portfolios and sensitive data throughout the transaction process.

Whether you’re raising capital, pursuing M&A, or planning an IPO, DFIN enables confident deal-making in a market where innovation and security define success.

Explore Venue Virtual Data Room for Tech: DFIN Venue® Virtual Data Room | Secure VDR for M&A, Investment Banking & Private Equity

Contact Us for a Consultation: Contact DFIN | Donnelley Financial Solutions