Runway to Web Summit events support local tech communities ahead of Web Summit events, fostering innovation and growth. The latest gathering brought together Web Summit founder and CEO Paddy Cosgrave, along with QDB CEO Abdulrahman Hesham Al-Sowaidi, to discuss the future of tech and its impact on Qatar’s ecosystem. They were joined by local Qatar-based startups SkipCash (mobile payment platform), Adeer (AI business management solution), Wqtah (platform for booking local experiences), and Kafy (food-tech) who shared their latest innovations and future plans.

Speaking at the event, Web Summit CEO, Paddy Cosgrave highlighted the potential of Web Summit Qatar 2025. “We are delighted to be in Doha today, alongside some incredible local Qatari startups showcasing the immense talent and potential of this region—which is truly exciting. It’s great to see some of last year’s participants returning as partners for this year’s event,” said Cosgrave. “We’re also thrilled to be here with Qatar Development Bank, who have been such a key part in growing Qatar’s startup ecosystem by offering support and resources that entrepreneurs need.” He added;

Honestly, we can’t wait for Web Summit Qatar 2025.

In 2024, Web Summit Qatar showcased the potential of Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, a foundation 2025 is set to amplify. “The success of Web Summit Qatar 2024 highlights Qatar’s role as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, showcasing exceptional talent and opportunities across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa,” said Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the
Government Communications Office and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee.

“As one of the fastest-growing events in the region, Web Summit Qatar attracts increasing global attention, underscoring its significance as a platform for innovation and collaboration. Building on this momentum, the 2025 edition will foster deeper partnerships, empower more startups, and drive greater progress in the tech and innovation sectors,” he added.

During the February event, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) unveiled its latest Startup Qatar Investment Programme under the Startup Qatar platform, aimed at supporting tech startups in establishing or expanding operations in Qatar. The event marked the signing of 24 Memoranda of Understanding, fostering strategic partnerships to advance the country’s tech ecosystem.

At the Runway to Web Summit gathering in Doha today, QDB CEO Abdulrahman Hesham Al-Sowaidi emphasized Web Summit’s role in driving innovation and collaboration, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a global leader in the tech and startup sectors.

“Web Summit Qatar represents a powerful testament to Qatar’s emergence as a global innovation hub. When thousands of startups from around the globe converge here and express interest in our ecosystem, it signals something truly transformative,” said Al-Sowaid. “We’ve successfully created an environment where innovation thrives, where government support meets entrepreneurial spirit, and where great ideas find the resources to become global solutions.”

Al-Sowaid continued, “Qatar today stands as a launch pad for innovation, connecting visionary entrepreneurs with unprecedented opportunities. Through platforms like Web Summit, we’re actively shaping the future of global innovation and establishing Qatar as the natural home for transformative ideas in the region and beyond.”

The latest Runway to Web Summit gathering in Qatar also spotlighted the contributions of Qatari startups through a panel where founders shared their journeys, challenges, and goals.

After attending as startups at the inaugural Web Summit Qatar in 2024, SkipCash, a QR-based mobile payment app, and Wqtah, a platform for booking local experiences, are returning as partners for the 2025 event. Both shared how participating in last year’s event influenced their development and prepared them for future opportunities.

Web Summit Qatar 2025 is set for February 23–26.

The post Honestly, We Can’t Wait for Web Summit Qatar 2025 — Paddy Cosgrave appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

The company is holding its first-ever summit in the Middle East — in Doha, the Capital of Qatar and it has gathered over 15,000+ attendees including government officials, entrepreneurs, investors, startups, the media, and the next generation of leaders reshaping the world, to mention a few.

“We host the Web Summit Qatar 2024 for the first time in the Middle East, which comes in line with Qatar’s National Strategy to advance our technology ecosystem,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Than, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Qatar said at the launch of the event on Monday. “This confirms the country’s position as a promising regional destination for the technology & investment sectors.”

Web Summit CEO Ms. Katherine Maher at the launch event noted that over the last few years, they noticed a growing presence from the Middle East at Web Summit events —which led to the company considering holding an event in the Middle East.

“Dynamic founders, investors, and entrepreneurs from the region were contributing to our events in such a meaningful way, that we knew that it was time for us to bring an event here,” said Maher.

After receiving bids from several cities across the Middle East, Web Summit selected Doha as the new event’s host city for the next five years. The summit plans to deepen its existing relationships in the region through Web Summit Qatar.

“Web Summit Qatar represents a brand new opportunity to connect a new generation of entrepreneurs, investors, and changemakers,” said Maher.

Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office and Chairman of the Web Summit Qatar 2024 Organising Committee, said, “Hosting Web Summit Qatar signifies a milestone in our nation’s ongoing journey to forge the future, showcasing Qatar’s growing status as a place where people, ideas, and inspiration come together to envision the next digital revolution.”

He noted that the tremendous turnout of attendees demonstrates the high demand for such events in the region, and Qatar is a potential hub for SMEs and innovators.

On its very first day, Web Summit Qatar set records in Web Summit history including the biggest startup participation in a first-year edition and the largest presence of startups from Africa.

“With such a strong start, Web Summit Qatar is poised to be the next spot for technological leaps to take place,” said Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani.

In numbers

• 15,453 attendees from 118 countries.
• 1,043 startups, the largest gathering of startups ever in the Middle East — were selected from 81 countries to showcase their visions and innovative solutions to attendees including potential investors.
• 10 percent of attending startups come from Qatar, 20 percent from Africa, and 50 percent from the wider MENA region.
• 10 percent of startups joined the event through Web Summit Qatar’s Impact program, which focuses on tech for good.
• 358 startups will take part in 42 Mentor Hours sessions during the event, learning from and connecting with leading entrepreneurs in the industry.
• 401 investors are coming from 46 countries. Investors include Peak XV Managing Director; GV Ravishankar, Global Ventures Founder Noor Sweid, Founding Partner & CEO of 500 Global; Christine Tsai, Managing Partner at 500 Global; Khailee Ng, and Invest Qatar’s Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, to mention a few.
• 380 speakers including; H.E. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Trevor Noah, Nora Fatehi, Mark Read, Will Ahmed, Jonathan Ross, Sara Sabry, Amjad Masad, Sachin Dev Duggal, Patrice Evra, John Obi Mikel, Gilberto Silva, and Hosam Arab, among others.
• 148 partners exhibiting on the event floor, including Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, Snap, Shell, Deloitte, Palo Alto Networks, and Qatar Investment Authority, to mention a few.
• 37 percent women attendees, 30 percent women speakers, and 31 percent women-founded startups

Qatar announces USD$1bn investment in international and regional VC funds

During his opening remarks at Web Summit Qatar 2024, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced Qatar’s first-ever venture capital Fund of Funds program, which will invest USD$1 billion in international and regional venture capital funds. Led by the Qatar Investment Authority, the initiative aims to foster innovation and boost the tech ecosystem in the country. In addition, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also emphasized that as technological innovations rapidly advance, it is a collective duty to ensure this progress serves the greater good by balancing innovation with ethical principles and guiding progress with moral wisdom for the benefit of all.

US-based Breshna wins Web Summit Qatar PITCH

Breshna was named winner of Web Summit Qatar’s startup competition, seeing off dozens of international businesses to secure the top prize in PITCH, powered by Jusour. The no-code game development platform impressed the judges, seeing off competition from Uzbekistan and the UK on the final day.

Breshna aims to empower users to create, share, and monetize their video games without prior coding or game design knowledge. The platform provides its network of 175,000 users with a game-maker editor, an AI-powered text-to-game engine, and a Web3-enabled metaverse.

Hailing from Washington DC, Breshna founder and CEO Mariam Nusrat said moments like these are important in the long, hard journey of a founder: “This kind of visibility is really cool.”

Uzbekistan-based financial services company IMAN and UK-based healthcare solutions business Rhazes finished as runners-up.

PITCH, powered by Jusour, is Web Summit Qatar’s startup competition, that brought together the world’s leading early-stage startups for a live onstage battle. 40 of the 1,043 startups at this year’s event qualified for the three-day competition, culminating in Breshna taking the top prize.

Qatar to continue supporting African startups

While addressing the press and commenting on the participation of African startups at the 2024 Web Summit Qatar, H.E. Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology at the Government of Qatar applauded the participation of the startups and also stated that their government will continue to support African startups and that the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has specific plans for that.

He noted that most if not all the African startups that participated at the summit resulted as part of the network key from their “African Colleagues” during the Qatar-Africa forum.

With 1,043 startups participating at the Web Summit Qatar 2024, 200 startups were African.

Katherine Maher’s last day in office as Web Summit CEO

While officially closing the 2024 Qatar Web Summit, Katherine Maher announced that she will no longer be the CEO of Web Summit. Maher announced that she will be taking on the position of CEO of NPR starting in late March.

“I’m delighted to announce that I will be taking up the position of CEO of NPR starting in late March. NPR has been a lifelong part of my soundscape, and I credit its reporting with sparking my curiosity that set me onto the path to become the person I am today,” said Maher.

Maher was appointed as the CEO of Web Summit on October 30th, 2023 succeeding Paddy Cosgrave who resigned just over a week ago, following a backlash over comments he made about the Israel-Gaza conflict. The board appointed her to lead the company through this period of transition.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated from the time of publication

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Scheduled to take place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) from February 26 – 29, Web Summit Qatar is going to be double the size expected with more than 12,000 attendees already registered, up from the original target of 7,500.

Web Summit Qatar has selected — from thousands of applicants — 1,000 startups from 80 countries including Qatar, the U.S., Egypt, Brazil, Italy, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and India. Attending startups represent almost 30 industries. It will be the most global representation of startups ever for a first-year Web Summit event.

100 partners will be exhibiting including Microsoft, Qatar Investment Authority, Deloitte, and Palo Alto Networks. Trade delegations from countries including Canada, Türkiye, Bahrain, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Kenya — will be attending Web Summit Qatar to explore business opportunities in Doha and in Qatar in general.

The Women in Tech program, which runs across all Web Summit events in its commitment to balance gender in the technology sector, has also sold out. The Women in Tech lounge will welcome organizations like Women of Qatar and Woman Techmakers along with thousands of Women in Tech attendees from all over the world, reflecting the truly global nature of the Women in Tech program.

Stars such as Emmy Award-winning South African comedian, Trevor Noah will join Sara Sabry, astronaut, founder and CEO of the Deep Space Initiative; Amjad Masad, co-founder and CEO of Replit; Builder.ai founder and chief wizard Sachin Dev Duggal; YouTuber Felipe Neto; soccer legend and Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva; and Tabby co-founder and CEO Hosam Arab at Web Summit Qatar in February.

“The incredible global representation at our first Middle East event is a powerful reminder that technology is international and opportunity is everywhere,” Web Summit CEO Katherine Maher, said in a press statement. “Selling out the startups, partners, and Women in Tech programs weeks before the event is set to take place speaks to the quality and caliber of the Web Summit events, alongside the support of the GCO, as we expand into a region with an incredible generational opportunity and dynamism.”

Maher further stated, “I’m particularly excited to celebrate women’s empowerment at the Women in Tech lounge, and look forward to meeting the Women in Tech community from around the world.”

Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour Al Thani, Chairman of the Web Summit Qatar Organising Committee said they are pleased to host the first Web Summit event in the Middle East, which will build on the unique blend of opportunity, innovation, and connectivity our country has to offer.

“We believe emerging technologies will transform the world of work and business, as well as across education, government, public services, and the private sector,” said Mansour Al Thani, in a statement.

Web Summit Qatar joins the company’s global roster alongside its flagship event, Web Summit, which draws 71,000 attendees to Lisbon (Portugal) every November; North America’s fastest-growing tech event, Collision, in Toronto (Canada); and Web Summit Rio (Brazil), which will take place for the second time in 2024.

The post Web Summit Qatar 2024 Sells Out Startup and Partner Programs appeared first on PC Tech Magazine.

This event in the Middle East is part of the summit’s global strategy to broaden its reach into new markets. Web Summit Qatar will provide new opportunities to connect the tech world in growing ecosystems across the Middle East, Africa, and India, expanding on the company’s established presence in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia.

Web Summit Qatar joins the company’s global roster alongside its flagship event, Web Summit, which draws 71,000 attendees to Lisbon, Portugal each November; North America’s fastest-growing tech event, Collision, in Toronto; Web Summit Rio, Brazil, which will take place for the first time in 2023; and RISE, which will be returning to Hong Kong in 2025.

After receiving bids from several cities across the Middle East, Web Summit has selected Doha as the new event’s host city for the next five years. The summit plans to deepen its existing relationships in the region through Web Summit Qatar.

“Web Summit in Lisbon has become the world’s largest technology conference, and our ambition is to make Web Summit ever more global. Establishing a new event in the Middle East is part of that broader plan for Web Summit,” Paddy Cosgrave, Web Summit CEO and Founder, said in a press statement.

Cosgrave further remarks that “Web Summit Qatar will help connect a new generation of founders in the Middle East to investors, journalists, customers, partners, and more around the world, and represents a new opportunity for Web Summit to convene technology leaders and develop an already fast-growing tech scene.”

Qatar has a fast-growing technology ecosystem, with a rapidly expanding startup scene, private sector, and government support for technology innovation. According to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report 2021, Qatar ranks 28th globally for its capacity for innovation, outpacing other countries in the region. The country also invests heavily in technology infrastructure, focusing on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cybersecurity.

His Excellency Mr. Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Qatat Minister of Communications and Information Technology endorsed the Web Summit.

“Qatar looks forward to hosting thousands of innovative and future-shaping leaders and thinkers at Web Summit Qatar,” he said. “The summit joins a roster of global conveners in Qatar, that capitalize on world-class facilities and infrastructure, ease of travel, and strong economic growth.”

Mr. Mohammed Al Mannai noted that all attendees will have the opportunity to meet peers, explore avenues for growing their businesses, and experience Qatar’s vibrant culture.

The first year of the summit in Qatar will take place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) from March 4-7, 2024. The summit will give opportunities for industry leaders to share ideas with others in different fields, a chance to meet business partners, as well for startup founders to meet potential investors.

Notably, Web Summit through its startup programme – ALPHA – gives startup founders from around the world an opportunity to be part of the conference and get a chance to showcase their startups that are disrupting their industries and introduce them to the world’s leading investors, companies, and media. Last year in Lisbon, Portugal 52 startups were selected to attend the summit among which 25 were African startups from Chad, Egypt, Gambia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Tunisia. This year, we expect the number of African startups to be selected increase.

ALSO READ: RWANDA’S ICT MINISTER, PAULA INGABIRE ENDORSES THE 2023 AFRILABS ANNUAL GATHERING

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