#WebSummit2019: Europe’s most innovative tech-fest goes 100% cashless this year

For the first time ever, Web Summit attendees have the option of leaving their banknotes and coins behind. A three-year partnership with Portugal’s leading payments service provider, SIBS, has enabled electronic payment options across the entirety of this year’s conference.

SIBS will provide secure payment solutions for all vendors at the event, with systems that accept all types of digital payments and solutions, including card and mobile app payments.

The Minister of Economy, Pedro Siza Vieira, states that “this partnership allows us, once more, to position Portugal as an innovative country that continues reinforcing the focus on the digitalisation of its economy”. “The opportunity to showcase our technological innovation in an event with such high international visibility, and the association with such a strong brand as Web Summit, offers Portuguese cashless technology a great reputation. At the same time, I hope it encourages a greater penetration of digital payments in our economy” he states.

“With the world becoming ever more cashless, Web Summit is keen to move forward and build a smoother payments experience for our attendees. We’re delighted to be partnering with SIBS on this journey. Both the Web Summit and SIBS teams are delighted to be working on this project together over the next three years.” – says Paddy Cosgrave, Web Summit CEO and founder.

Alongside being the cashless event partner, SIBS will also be accreditation partners over the next three years.

“SIBS has been Web Summit’s partner since its first edition in Portugal and we’re really proud to see this connection strengthened. The future of payments is digital and, as a highly digital country, we keep our focus to make cashless societies. It is a strategy with clear benefits for the national economy that needs to be reinforced. In an event so focused on technology and innovation, it makes perfect sense for cashless payments to be a reality” – says Madalena Cascais Tomé, SIBS’ CEO.