Web Summit Lisbon · 9–12 November 2026
Your pitch, as clear in English as in your own language.
Three small-group sessions for founders getting ready for Web Summit: explain your startup clearly, get people interested and keep the conversation going, in English.
The substance is there. In English, it loses its force.
In your own language, you can explain what you do in 30 seconds. In English:
- —your sentences get longer and your message gets blurry;
- —an unexpected question makes you lose your thread;
- —small talk and networking tire you out before you even start.
It's not about your level. It's the gap between what you can say in your own language and what you manage to say in English, at the moment it matters.
Who will work with you
Lisa Pavlova
Founder and Head of Pedagogy, Spica
My LinkedIn profileLast year at Web Summit, many of the founders I spoke to told me the same thing: in English, their pitch lost part of its force. This year I'm going back, and with our association we decided to help founders prepare.
I learned English and French as foreign languages myself, so I know what it's like to feel less sharp in another language.
My job isn't to rework your business model. It's to make what you have to say sound clear, natural and convincing in English.
“Your pitch doesn't need perfect English. It needs to be clear.”
What is Spica?
Spica is a project of Lingua.space, a non-profit association founded in Paris in 2023. Around forty members from nine countries have taken part in our clubs and challenges, in groups of six at most. Legal notice →
Your Pitch Kit for Lisbon
Your one-liner
One sentence a non-specialist understands and remembers.
Your 30-second pitch
Clear, built around three things people remember.
Your 2–3 minute pitch
A structured story with your evidence and a clear ask, adapted to an investor, a client or a partner.
Your answers to tough questions
Your ten most likely questions, with answers in two or three sentences.
Your rescue phrases
To buy time, rephrase, or say “I don't know yet” with confidence.
Your before / after
The same pitch recorded before and after the programme: you hear your progress.
What we don't promise: becoming bilingual in three weeks or losing your accent. The goal: being as clear and convincing as possible when the conversations count.
The programme
Before we start
Your “before” recording: “So, what does your company do?”, 30 seconds, no notes. I listen to it before the first session to target your priorities.
Session 1 — Make it clear
Your 30-second pitch, one a non-specialist understands and remembers. Replacing jargon with plain, precise English, working on your rhythm and your first rescue phrases.
Session 2 — Make it compelling
Your 2–3 minute pitch: a strong opening, evidence, why now, why you, and a clear ask adapted to an investor, a client or a partner.
Session 3 — Make it conversational
Pitching without a script: answering concisely, recovering when you don't understand, asking questions and proposing a next step. A Web Summit simulation with roles (investor, client, partner), then your “after” recording. Your dress rehearsal, the week you leave.
Between sessions
A short voice note to record, with my personal feedback on one or two priorities within 48 hours. Plus three Conversations in small groups to practise speaking (45 coins included, valid until 8 November).
75-minute sessions, online and in English, in groups of 4 to 6 founders. Every session follows the same principle: you pitch, you improve your English based on what you actually said, then you go again. Sessions are recorded only to prepare your personal feedback.
Dates
Online · Paris time
Thursday evenings, 18:30–19:45 (17:30–18:45 Lisbon / London)
22 October, 29 October and 5 November
If this group fills up, a second group will open on Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings: tell us your preference in the form. Registration closes on Sunday 18 October.
Who it's for
This programme is for you if…
- you're a founder or CEO and English isn't your first language;
- you're going to Web Summit to pitch, run a stand, or meet investors, clients or partners;
- your pitch feels less sharp in English than in your own language;
- you can hold a simple conversation in English, even with mistakes (B1 level minimum).
It's not for you if…
- you're a beginner in English;
- you're looking to rework your business model or pitch deck;
- your English-speaking co-founder will do all the talking in Lisbon.
What Spica members say
“My ambition is to manage teams across different countries, so I need to get my message across clearly in English. After just a few weeks of practice, I already felt the difference in my fluency. […] Spica also helps me grow beyond language.”
“I'm grateful for these English sessions. They respond exactly to what I need. I'm always pleasantly surprised by the quality of the content and the way each session is designed and facilitated. Our coach does remarkable work. A huge thank you!”
Your place
Launch price, until 15 October, for the first six places
€190
Then: €290
- 3 live 75-minute sessions, in groups of 6 founders maximum
- Your before / after recording
- Personal feedback on your voice notes between sessions
- 3 Conversations to practise speaking (45 coins included)
- Your complete Pitch Kit
Option: One-to-one rehearsal (45 min, week of 2 November): €100
Full refund if the first session isn't right for you. Write to me within 48 hours after it: full refund, no questions asked.
Prices include all taxes. Invoice in your company's name on request. If the group has fewer than 4 participants, you choose between a later date and a full refund.
Not sure yet? Start with a free Pitch Check.
Send me a 30-second voice note in English: your answer to “So, what does your company do?”, with no notes. Within 48 hours, you'll receive a reworked version of your pitch and two concrete tips.
Your voice note is only used to give you feedback, prepared with the help of AI tools. It stays between us and I delete it within 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Book your place
Fill in this form: I'll get back to you within 24 hours to confirm your place and send you the payment link.