The highly anticipated Web Summit Qatar 2025 has officially kicked off at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), reaching full capacity with an astounding 25,747 attendees from 124 countries. This marks a 10,000-person increase from last year, solidifying Web Summit Qatar as the leading startup and technology event in the MENA region.
With 1,520 startups, 723 investors, 381 speakers, and 168 exhibiting partners, the summit is a hub of innovation and global collaboration, spotlighting the transformative power of AI, fintech, healthtech, and digital policy.
🚀 Web Summit Qatar 2025 by the Numbers
📌 Sold out with 25,747 attendees from 124 countries
📌 1,520 startups and 723 investors – the largest startup gathering in the Middle East
📌 168 global partners, including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, Huawei, and IBM
📌 381 speakers tackling AI, fintech, climate change, and global policy
📌 47% of startups are women-founded – a 51% increase from last year
📌 120 AI-powered meetups bringing attendees together through Web Summit’s proprietary networking system
📌 AI dominates the startup scene (17%), followed by SaaS, Healthtech & Wellness, Fintech, and Education
🎤 Web Summit CEO: “Qatar is a Gateway to the World”
At the Opening Night, Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave emphasized Qatar’s growing role in the global technology ecosystem, stating:
“Qatar is a gateway, not just to the Middle East, but to the world. For the next three days, Qatar will be Web Summit’s home. This incredible venue, which we once wondered if we’d ever fill in five years, is now at maximum capacity after just two.”
He acknowledged the shifting global landscape, adding:
“Technology is redefining our global existence. After nearly 500 years of Western dominance, we are moving toward a multipolar world. The 25,000 of us gathered here are seeking answers about our rapidly changing future.”
🇶🇦 Qatar’s Vision for Innovation
In his opening speech, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, likened Qatar’s economic transformation to a startup in the digital age:
“Being a small state like Qatar is similar to being a startup—where a brilliant idea can change the world.”
He highlighted Qatar’s bold strategy for deregulation and private sector growth, reinforcing its commitment to pioneering fintech, AI, and climate tech:
“Built on the strength of our energy sector, we are unlocking the economy for private sector innovation. Qatar is ready for a takeoff in transformative partnerships that will shape the future of the MENA region.”
🌍 The Largest Startup Gathering in the Middle East
This year’s Web Summit Qatar has attracted 1,520 startups from 90+ countries, including 228 from Qatar. Over the coming days, these startups will meet with investors, explore partnerships, and tap into new regional business opportunities.
📌 85% of startups are from outside Qatar, reflecting the event’s global reach.
📌 Last year’s participating startups raised a collective $120 million in the 12 months following the event.
🌟 Women Leading the Charge in Tech
One of the biggest achievements of Web Summit Qatar 2025 is the surge in women-led startups:
📌 47% of startups are women-founded – a 51% increase from 2024
📌 37% of attendees are women, a reflection of Web Summit’s efforts to foster diversity
📌 Women-led startups received exclusive incentives to boost their participation
🌏 A Global Tech Hub with 168 Partners
Web Summit Qatar 2025 is hosting 168 global partners from Qatar, the United States, UK, India, Egypt, Brazil, Nigeria, and beyond.
🌟 Tech Giants Exhibiting at Web Summit Qatar:
✅ Amazon
✅ Microsoft
✅ Meta
✅ TikTok
✅ IBM
✅ Huawei
These companies are showcasing cutting-edge innovations alongside early-stage startups, further positioning Qatar as a tech and investment powerhouse.
🤝 AI-Powered Networking & Meetups
Web Summit’s AI-driven matchmaking platform has facilitated 120 new meetups, connecting attendees based on shared interests and industry sectors.
🚀 Notable AI-Powered Meetups Include:
🔹 Women in Sustainability
🔹 Cybersecurity & AI
🔹 Neurodiverse & ADHD in Tech
🔹 AI CEO Meetups
🔹 Space Tech & Innovation Enthusiasts
These meetups are helping entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders forge meaningful connections and accelerate growth.
🎤 381 Industry-Leading Speakers Take the Stage
Web Summit Qatar 2025 features an all-star lineup of global speakers, including:
🌟 Will Smith – Hollywood superstar
🌟 Alexandr Wang – Founder, Scale AI
🌟 Malcolm Gladwell – Bestselling author & podcaster
🌟 Jay Shetty – Motivational speaker & podcast host
🌟 Alexis Ohanian – Founder, Seven Seven Six & Reddit
🌟 Eduardo Saverin – Co-founder, Facebook & B Capital
🌟 Laura Chambers – CEO, Mozilla
Over 710 editors and journalists from major news outlets like Financial Times, Reuters, Al Jazeera, CNBC, and The Wall Street Journal are covering the event’s biggest announcements.
💰 723 Investors Seek the Next Big Startup
Web Summit Qatar has drawn 723 global investors, including:
✅ Noor Sweid – Global Ventures
✅ Kevin Gasque – Greycroft
✅ Vivek Goyal – Altimeter
✅ Christian Meermann – Cherry Ventures
✅ Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hardan – Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)
QIA’s $1 billion Fund of Funds programme, launched last year, is celebrating its first anniversary, with new investments in fintech, AI, and clean energy.
🧠 AI Takes Center Stage
AI dominated Opening Night, with Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang reinforcing its role in shaping the future of technology, business, and governance.
📌 AI is the leading startup sector at Web Summit Qatar (17%)
📌 Followed by: SaaS, Healthtech & Wellness, Fintech, and Education
📌 AI-powered networking sessions are fostering key discussions on AI ethics, power, and its societal impact
🌟 Meetups Focused on AI Include:
🔹 Women Founders in AI
🔹 AI CEO Networking
🔹 Qatar-Based AI Enthusiasts
🚀 The Future Begins at Web Summit Qatar 2025
With record-breaking attendance, groundbreaking discussions, and game-changing innovations, Web Summit Qatar 2025 is redefining the tech landscape.
📢 Stay tuned for exclusive insights, major announcements, and transformative conversations from Web Summit Qatar!
🔗 Read more: breakingai.news and https://qatar.websummit.com/
