Draft:Webit

Webit is a global event consisting of series of meetings between founders of startups, corporations, policy makers and investors. Webit is about creating a worldwide community of people with interests in technology that help develop products aimed at tackling SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) related to poverty reduction, bringing zero hunger, improving the quality of education, improving healthcare, etc.

One of the main discussions at Webit over the years is artificial intelligence and its application in different professional fields, including education. In addition, topics related to cybersecurity, confidentiality, innovation, media influence, and others are also discussed. As of 2022, Webit has organized in-person, online, and hybrid events in different parts of the world, including Sofia, Istanbul, Dubai, Singapore and New Delhi.

According to the company's data, the number of attendees at the in-person edition of Webit for the event held in 2019 reached over 15,000 participants from about 192 countries. In 2021, the Webit Global Impact Week's hybrid edition had 102 687 participants from 192 countries.

History
Webit Events was founded in 2008 by Dr. Plamen Russev. It covered topics such as Blockchain, AI, Digital Entertainment, Freedom of Speech, the Future of Media, Biotech, Cybertech, Fintech, Crypto, Defence, Space, Green Growth, SDGs and others.

Three years after Webit's launch, the Webit Foundation was created. It helps startups with grants. Up to now, the Webit Foundation has invested in over 1500 companies from 140 countries.

Webit also created a global technology competition named Founders Games. It helps innovative startups develop by receiving an award pool that currently stands at $6 million

In 2022, Webit founded the Webit Investment Network (WIN), which has the right to acquire shares of the finalist companies in the Founders Games competition.

2009–2019
In 2009, the first Webit Congress was held. Webit ran the event on October 7 and 8 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

In 2010, the second edition of Webit Expo & Conferences 2010 gathered around 5100 attendees from 21 countries. The third edition of the Webit Congress was held in 2011.

In 2012 Webit ran two events. On June 14 and 15, the Webit CEE Digital Summit took place, which included two conferences, Webit Digital Summit and Webit Leaders Summit. Global Webit Congress took place in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 11 and 12.

In 2013, Webit ran the Webit CEE Digital Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the Global Webit Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, with around 8000 participants from 103 countries. In 2014, three Webit events took place: (1) the Webit CEE Digital Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria; (2) the Global Webit Congress in Istanbul, Turkey; and (3) the Webit Digital Commerce Summit Mena in Dubai, UAE.

In 2015, Webit organized the following events: the CEEDS in Sofia, Bulgaria; Digit.Mena in Dubai, UAE; and Digit.EMEA in Istanbul, Turkey.

In 2016, Webit organized four events: Webit.Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria (around 5000 attendees from about 60 countries); Webit.Mena in Dubai, UAE; Webit.Apac in Singapore; and Webit.India in New Delhi, India.

Rosen Plevneliev (Former President of the Republic of Bulgaria) opened Webit.Festival in 2016. He was awarded a prize for contribution to the digital economy development in Bulgaria.

Webit.Festival was held in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Yordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia, had speech at the opening of the Webit Digital Festival in 2018.

2020-2023
In 2020, Webit ran virtual events, including the Leadership Summit, the Policy Innovation Week, and the Leading Media Forum.

In 2021, Webit ran hybrid, in-person, and virtual events. The first hybrid Webit Global Impact Week edition was held between December 14 and 18, as it took place both in Miami and Sofia. One of the speakers was Oľga Algayerová.

In 2022 Webit Global Impact Forum and Webit Unconference were held.

In June 2023, the summer edition of Webit was held, where the focus was the use of artificial intelligence in different fields, including business, healthcare, finance, marketing and others.