Doha will host a global payment platform and a brand-new regional find and venture studio among others, as part of a number of partnerships announced on Monday.
Doha will headquarter an early-stage venture investment firm and a leading payment orchestration platform among others, as part of the agreements and partnerships announced on the second day of Web Summit Qatar 2025.
In partnership with the Qatar Investment Authority and the Qatar Development Bank, UK-based capital management firm UTOPIA will launch A-typical Ventures, aiming to “scale innovations and drive economic diversification” across the Middle East.
QDB’s Executive Director of Investment and Incubation Mohammed Al-Emadi, UTOPIA’s CEO Roo Rogers, Founding Partner Alina Truhina and Qatar Africa Business Forum’s head Fatema Ali Al-Khater were present at a press conference held to reveal the details on Monday.
The new venture will be on the lookout for bold and disruptive ideas across sectors such as fintech, health tech, e-commerce, climate tech, logistics and mobility from the region, according to Truhina.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for the region, and we are eager to contribute to the growth of a thriving, innovation-driven venture economy,” Truhina added.
The investment in one of the first deployments of QIA’s Funds of Funds program, which aims to back the next wave of disrupters, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund said in a joint statement.
“The launch of A-typical Ventures represents a key milestone in advancing an innovation-driven venture industry and strengthening the startup ecosystem,” said Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO of the Qatar Financial Centre.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani had announced a day earlier that six venture capital firms will set up their regional hubs in Doha, under Funds of Funds.
Leading payment platform to operate from Doha
One of the world’s leading payment platforms Yuno will lead its “accelerated expansion” in the Middle East from its new headquarters in Doha, the firm’s CEO Juan Pablo Ortega said in a separate press conference.
Yuno’s strategy to expand in the Middle East, supported by Invest Qatar, was heavily influenced by its participation in the Web Summit last year, eventually leading to a partnership, Ortega added.
The company aims to tap into a quickly expanding e-commerce market in the GCC, currently valued at QAR 6.89 trillion, equivalent to $1.888 trillion, by providing businesses with a “frictionless and single-integration solution,” according to a company statement.
Regional payment solutions will soon be added to the company’s list of supported gateways as a part of the expansion plans.
“The establishment of our regional headquarters in Qatar mark a key step in Yuno’s global growth strategy,” Ortega said during the announcement press conference.
“The region’s vibrant and rapidly evolving payments ecosystem aligns perfectly with our mission to enable businesses to accept and make payments anywhere in the world—quickly, securely, and cost-effectively.”
QFC launches Metaverse; Qatar Airways continues AI haul
Adding to the list of various initiatives geared towards strengthening Doha’s status as a start-up-friendly city was the Qatar Financial Center’s unveiling of its Metaverse.
“It marks a significant step in shaping the future of Qatar’s financial ecosystem by revolutionizing business engagement and collaboration,” said QFC’s CEO Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida.
Following the bandwagon was Qatar Airways, announcing the world’s first AI booking service with Sama, the world’s first AI Cabin Crew.
It is another step to enhance travel experience in addition to staying at the forefront of the technological and AI innovation, according to Qatar Airways’ CEO Badr Al-Meer.
“Qatar Airways’ partnership extension with Web Summit Qatar illustrates our commitment to innovation and highlights our pursuit of adopting cutting-edge technological advancements to deliver leading passenger experiences,” Al-Meer said in a statement.
More announcements and agreements are set to be finalised and disclosed in the coming days of Web Summit Qatar 2025.
Source:https://dohanews.co/agreements-reached-to-establish-doha-as-tech-hub-at-web-summit-2025/
