spotify well and truly stole the show, winning awards for the best web application/service, best startup founders and best new startup summer 2008-2009 – which seemed more than a good enough reason for me to consume another champagne with spotify being my favourite app of late. i think all of my christmases came at once when shakil kahn from spotify asked to be introduced to me and then went on to introduce me to roberta!

whilst i was disappointed that my good friend richard moross of moo only made it to the finalists for best entrepreneur, it was sweetened slightly by huddle winning the best enterprise/b2b startup (emea) award.

it was fantastic to finally meet the travelling geeks, including Robert Scoble, Sarah Lacy and Meghan Asha. it was great to see so many familiar faces, including my friends Tariq Krim (Netvibes), Zee Kane (The Next Web), Michael Smith (Firebox), Andy McLoughlin (Huddle) and Andrew Scott (Rummble) amongst many others.

the event just went to prove what a happening web scene exists in europe, how tight the community is and that even in times of an economic turndown, paid events still serve a very good purpose. i walked away more inspired and motivated than i can remember being in a very long time, promising myself to attend more events in future. thanks to mike butcher for organising!