- Web Summit Qatar draws 15,453 attendees from 118 countries, marking a significant milestone in the region’s tech advancement.
- Featuring 1,043 startups from 81 nations, including 10% from Qatar, the event spotlights diverse visions and innovations.
- With 37% of attendees and 30% of speakers being women, Web Summit Qatar emphasises gender diversity, fostering collaboration and empowerment within the tech industry.
During the Opening Night of Web Summit Qatar, CEO Katherine Maher expressed enthusiasm for the event’s debut in the Middle East, highlighting the significant contributions of regional entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators. She emphasised the event’s role in fostering connections among a new generation of changemakers.
Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, hailed the event as a milestone in Qatar’s journey towards technological advancement. He underscored Qatar’s growing stature as a nexus for ideas and innovation, citing the record-breaking turnout and the event’s immediate impact on the Web Summit’s history.
The inaugural day of Web Summit Qatar witnessed unprecedented achievements, including the largest-ever startup participation for a first-year edition and a notable representation of startups from Africa. With such promising beginnings, Web Summit Qatar is poised to become a pivotal platform for fostering technological advancements and entrepreneurial endeavours in the region.
Web Summit Qatar Draws 15,453 Attendees from 118 Countries
Web Summit Qatar drew 15,453 attendees from 118 countries to the sold-out event at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). It served as a groundbreaking platform for founders, investors, journalists, and leaders to connect and drive innovation in the Middle East.
This inaugural event marks a significant milestone in the region’s technological advancement, fostering global collaboration among those shaping the future. Held in Doha, it symbolises Qatar’s emergence as a hub for cutting-edge ideas and collaboration on a global scale. Attendees from diverse backgrounds converged to propel forward the transformative power of technology and entrepreneurship.
The Middle East’s most extensive assembly of startups ventures
The Middle East’s largest startup gathering selected 1,043 startups from 81 countries out of nearly ten thousand applicants, showcasing diverse visions to attendees. Qatar represents 10 per cent of the participating startups, with Africa and the wider MENA region contributing 20 per cent and 50 per cent respectively. Additionally, 10 per cent of startups joined through Web Summit Qatar’s Impact programme, focusing on tech for good.
During the event, 358 startups will engage in 42 Mentor Hours sessions, connecting with industry-leading entrepreneurs. They’ll also have the chance to compete in Web Summit Qatar’s PITCH competition, powered by Jusour, presenting their ideas to global investors. This platform offers invaluable opportunities for networking, learning, and growth in the dynamic startup ecosystem.
401 investors
Attracting 401 investors from 46 countries, including prominent figures like Peak XV’s GV Ravishankar, Global Ventures’ Noor Sweid, 500 Global’s Christine Tsai and Khailee Ng, and Invest Qatar’s Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, the event promises a vibrant platform for exploring investment opportunities in a rapidly expanding market.
Scheduled to convene some of the largest funds globally, attendees aim to connect with the next generation of startups. With a focus on simplicity and clarity, the gathering seeks to facilitate fruitful discussions and collaborations, fostering growth and innovation within the investment landscape.
380 speakers are currently participating, along with 896 members of the media
The event boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, including His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, comedian Trevor Noah, actress Nora Fatehi, and WPP CEO Mark Read. Also present are notable figures like Whoop CEO Will Ahmed, Groq CEO Jonathan Ross, astronaut Sara Sabry, and Replit CEO Amjad Masad.
Soccer icons Patrice Evra, John Obi Mikel, and Gilberto Silva, along with Builder.ai CEO Sachin Dev Duggal and Tabby CEO Hosam Arab, add further prestige. With 380 speakers and 896 media members in attendance, the event promises to be both informative and influential.
Web Summit Qatar Features 148 Exhibiting Partners, Including Six Community Partners
At Web Summit Qatar, 148 partners are participating, aiming to seize business prospects in the region and connect with emerging companies and technologies. Among them are prominent tech giants like Microsoft, Snap, TikTok, Meta, and others such as Qatar Investment Authority, Deloitte, and Palo Alto Networks showcasing their innovations.
Additionally, delegations from countries like Canada, Türkiye, Bahrain, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Kenya are present, seeking opportunities in the Middle East market. Notably, six community partners, dedicated to supporting underrepresented individuals in the tech sector, are actively engaged in the event, fostering inclusivity and diversity within the industry.
Women Leading in Tech at Web Summit Qatar
The event boasts a significant presence of women, with 37 per cent of attendees and 30 per cent of speakers being women. Additionally, one in three startups in the program features a woman on the founding team. The Women in Tech Lounge serves as a focal point for organisations such as Women of Qatar and Women Techmakers, attracting thousands of women from around the world.
It provides a platform for networking and support within the tech industry, fostering collaboration and empowerment among women. The diverse perspectives and voices present enrich discussions and drive innovation. This inclusive environment underscores the importance of gender diversity in technology, shaping a more equitable and dynamic industry landscape.
Qatar Unveils $1 Billion Investment in Global and Regional VC Funds
During the opening ceremony of Web Summit Qatar 2024, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the State of Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, unveiled Qatar’s pioneering venture capital Fund of Funds program. Managed by the Qatar Investment Authority, the initiative earmarked US$1 billion for investments in both international and regional venture capital funds.
The primary goal was to nurture innovation and fortify the technological landscape within the nation. His Excellency emphasised the necessity of harmonising technological advancement with ethical considerations, advocating for a collective effort to ensure progress benefited society as a whole, guided by moral principles and wisdom.
Web Summit Qatar stands out as a landmark event driving innovation and collaboration in the Middle East’s tech landscape. With record-breaking attendance, unparalleled startup participation, and a diverse lineup of speakers and partners, it signifies Qatar’s rise as a global hub for technological advancement.
The event’s emphasis on inclusivity, with a significant presence of women and initiatives promoting diversity, underscores its commitment to fostering a dynamic and equitable industry. As attendees connect, learn, and explore opportunities, Web Summit Qatar paves the way for transformative growth and innovation in the region’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
