Grit keynotes for Lisbon’s tech and start-up scene
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is home to Web Summit. Paris brings The Grit Code to its founders, tech teams and conferences.
Start-ups by the Atlantic
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and has hosted Web Summit, one of the largest technology conferences in the world, since 2016.
Founders need persistence. Paris has worked with founder audiences at Founders Dubai, Upside and Opus.
He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents, including Madrid, in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
Who Paris speaks to in Lisbon
Founders
Grit for founders.
Tech
Keynotes for engineering teams.
Tourism
Talks for the visitor economy.
Conferences
Main-stage keynotes.
Where Lisbon meets
Venues in Parque das Nações host Web Summit and international conferences.
- MEO Arena and FIL – in Parque das Nações
- City hotels – in central Lisbon
Ways to book Paris in Lisbon
Options: keynote, 45 to 60 minutes · workshop, 90 minutes up to half a day · virtual session, 30 to 45 minutes · host or MC for your event. Compare formats →
Why audiences believe him
5 days, 21 hours, 51 minutes
The time it took Paris to run 7 marathons on 7 continents: Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami.
More than £150,000 raised
For marine conservation, by rowing 4,800 km across the Pacific in 2023.
See Paris’s Madrid page. Keynote speaker Madrid · Upside pitch competition
Speaking in Lisbon, in person or virtually
Available for in-person events in Lisbon, or virtually in your local time zone.
Organisers typically book speakers about three months ahead, so an early enquiry gives the best chance of your preferred date.
Talks are delivered in English; an interpreter can be arranged by the organiser where helpful.
See also keynote speaker in Europe, or browse all keynote speaker locations.
Lisbon’s economy and who the talk is for
Lisbon has a population of about 545,796 (2021 figure, Wikidata), which makes it a substantial market for conferences, leadership events and company gatherings.
Lisbon is the head-office city for organisations such as Galp Energia (petroleum industry), CTT Correios de Portugal (mail), Jerónimo Martins (food distribution), Altice Portugal (telecommunications industry), Redes Energéticas Nacionais (electric power industry) and NOS (mass media).
Energy and resources (Galp Energia and Redes Energéticas Nacionais). For energy and resources businesses, grit is about consistency over decades-long assets. Paris shows how small, repeatable routines beat bursts of motivation, using the 7 marathons on 7 continents as the case study.
Telecoms (Altice Portugal and NOS). Telecoms businesses run networks that can never stop. Paris has spoken for Nokia, and his message on steady, disciplined effort under pressure suits network, sales and customer teams alike.
Retail and consumer goods (Jerónimo Martins). Consumer-goods and retail teams face constant targets. The Grit Code gives them practical tools for motivation that lasts beyond the conference day.
Students, graduates and faculty
Higher education is part of Lisbon’s talent pipeline, with institutions such as NOVA University Lisbon, Polytechnic University of Lisbon and Lusíada University. Paris’s talks for students and graduates focus on grit as a skill that can be learned, using his own expeditions as evidence.
Typical formats include welcome weeks, graduation events, entrepreneurship programmes and alumni dinners. University keynote speaker →
Other large venues in Lisbon
For bigger audiences and set-piece events, Lisbon venues include Estaus Palace.
Paris is comfortable on any stage, from an arena to a boardroom, and can also host the main stage as MC. Event host and MC →
How a Grit Code session works
- Paris starts with a short briefing call to understand the room, the sector and the challenge in front of it.
- The keynote uses film from his expeditions and TV work to make each idea concrete.
- Many organisers pair it with a Grit Deconstruction workshop or ask Paris to host the full day.
The content is shaped around Lisbon organisations and their goals, so the room hears examples that match its own challenges. Paris presents as an adventurer and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, not as a theorist.
Credentials at a glance
- He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes.
- Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
- In 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.
- His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views.
FAQ
Can I book Paris Norriss as a keynote speaker in Lisbon?
Yes. Paris speaks at conferences, company events and leadership programmes in Lisbon, in person or virtually.
Does Paris present in Portuguese?
He presents in English. Organisers can arrange interpretation if needed.
Which Lisbon industries is The Grit Code suited to?
The keynote is tailored to each sector. In Lisbon it suits energy and resources, telecoms and retail and consumer goods audiences in particular, along with leadership teams, sales kick-offs and all-hands meetings in any industry.
Does Paris speak at universities in Lisbon?
Yes. He speaks to students, graduates and staff, for example at institutions such as NOVA University Lisbon and Polytechnic University of Lisbon, on grit as a learnable skill.
Is there a workshop option for teams in Lisbon?
Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day and turns the keynote’s ideas into team habits and actions.
Can the keynote be delivered online for teams in Lisbon?
Yes. A 30–45 minute virtual version is available for remote or hybrid audiences, delivered in your local time zone.
Who has Paris spoken for?
Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.
More about Paris: About · The Grit Code · TV shows · Contact