- Major tech giants Intel and Siemens have pulled out as sponsors of the Web Summit conference.
- Siemens told Insider that it’s not attending due to “recent developments surrounding Web Summit.”
- Several high-profile speakers withdrew from the conference over the founder’s remarks on Israel.
Intel and Siemens are pulling out as sponsors of Web Summit after its CEO and cofounder, Paddy Cosgrave, criticized the West’s support for Israel, the companies confirmed to Insider.
The multinational companies told Insider they’re withdrawing from the European tech conference, which is set to take place in Lisbon next month.
“I’m shocked at the rhetoric and actions of so many Western leaders & governments, with the exception in particular of Ireland’s government, who for once are doing the right thing,” Cosgrave wrote on X on Friday October 13, seemingly commenting on Israel’s response to Hamas’ terrorist attacks on October 7.
“War crimes are war crimes even when committed by allies, and should be called out for what they are,” he continued.
Cosgrave seemed to walk back his comments on Tuesday afternoon, saying that they had “caused profound hurt to many” in a 600-word apology — which came just hours after he posted that he “will not relent.”
“Following recent developments surrounding Web Summit, we have reviewed the situation and determined that Siemens will not to attend in 2023,” German tech firm Siemens told Insider in a statement Thursday.
The withdrawal of two of the conference’s biggest sponsors comes after several high-profile tech leaders canceled their speaking engagements over Cosgrave’s remarks.
Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan and Sequoia Capital investor Ravi Gupta were among the first group of people that canceled their appearances at the event on Monday.
Speakers have continued to back out of the event this week. Moshiel Biton, CEO and cofounder of rechargeable battery firm Addionics, told Insider that Cosgrave’s apology was “barely one” and the company stands by its withdrawal.
Gil Dibner, general partner at Angular Ventures, said the apology “changes nothing” about his decision to cancel his appearance. He added that it was “one of the least sincere apologies I’ve had the misfortune of reading.”
Intel is no longer listed as a partner on the Web Summit website, but Siemens is still featured on the partners page, as of Thursday afternoon.
The number of Israel-based speakers went from at least five to zero, according to Insider analysis.
“We are looking forward to welcoming 70,000 attendees from around the world with a full programme this November,” a Web Summit spokesperson told Insider. The spokesperson did not comment on the sponsors’ decisions to back out of the conference.
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