Key Takeaways
- Mati Staniszewski spoke at Web Summit Qatar, reflecting on ElevenLabs’ journey from a startup booth to Centre Stage.
- His experiences resonated with many founders, highlighting the typical startup path of uncertainty followed by growth.
- ElevenLabs has rapidly become a global name in AI voice and audio technology, impacting various industries.
- Web Summit serves as a launchpad for startups, offering visibility and opportunities for founders at different stages.
- Staniszewski’s story illustrates that today’s small presence can evolve into significant recognition in the future.
Doha, Qatar — Speaking at Web Summit, Mati Staniszewski, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of ElevenLabs, shared a powerful reflection on the company’s journey — from exhibiting as a small startup to taking Centre Stage at one of the world’s most influential technology gatherings. Notably, Mati Staniszewski Spoke at Web Summit Qatar, marking a milestone for the company.
“This is my second Web Summit,” Staniszewski said during his appearance. “In 2022, we were a small booth, a small startup. I remember sitting in the audience and thinking about the stage — and fast forward to today, it’s an honour to be able to speak here.” For ElevenLabs, Mati Staniszewski Spoke at Web Summit Qatar and inspired many attendees with his startup story.
A Journey That Mirrors the Startup Path
Staniszewski’s remarks resonated with founders across the summit floor, encapsulating the arc familiar to many entrepreneurs: early uncertainty, long hours building in obscurity, and the rare moment when persistence turns into scale. His journey exemplifies how speaking opportunities, such as when Mati Staniszewski spoke at Web Summit Qatar, can inspire startup founders.
ElevenLabs first attended Web Summit in 2022, shortly after the company’s founding. At the time, the team operated from a modest booth, showcasing early versions of what would become one of the most influential AI voice and audio technology platforms in the world.
“I remember sitting in the audience, looking at the stage, thinking — there are a lot of people up there, and they’ve made it,” he recalled. This moment of reflection preceded Mati Staniszewski’s own appearance at Web Summit Qatar.
From Early Exposure to Global Impact
Just a few years later, ElevenLabs has become a global name in AI-generated speech and audio, powering applications across media, gaming, accessibility, education, and enterprise platforms. In fact, Mati Staniszewski Spoke at Web Summit Qatar to highlight the company’s progress to the international audience.
Staniszewski’s appearance on Centre Stage reflects not only ElevenLabs’ rapid growth, but also Web Summit’s role as a platform where early-stage startups can evolve into category-defining companies.
Web Summit as a Launchpad for Founders
The moment underscores a broader theme of Web Summit: creating visibility and opportunity for founders at every stage of their journey. To illustrate, Mati Staniszewski Spoke at Web Summit Qatar and provided insights into startup growth.
Each year, thousands of startups take to the show floor — some for the first time. For many, Web Summit serves as:
- A first global showcase
- A meeting point with investors and partners
- A proving ground for ideas and ambition
Staniszewski’s story stands as a reminder that today’s small booth can become tomorrow’s Centre Stage.
A Defining Founder Moment
“It’s an honour to be able to speak here,” Staniszewski concluded — a sentiment that captured both personal achievement and the collective ambition of the startup ecosystem gathered in Doha.
As Web Summit continues, stories like ElevenLabs’ highlight why the event remains a magnet for founders chasing global impact.
About ElevenLabs
ElevenLabs is an AI audio research and deployment company building state-of-the-art voice synthesis and speech generation technology. The company’s tools are used across media, gaming, accessibility, education, and enterprise applications worldwide.
About Web Summit
Web Summit is one of the world’s leading technology conference platforms, bringing together founders, investors, enterprises, policymakers, and media to explore the ideas and technologies shaping the future. Its global events serve as launchpads for startups and a meeting point for the international tech ecosystem.
Event Details
📍 Web Summit Qatar
📅 February 1–4, 2026
📍 Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC)
📍 Doha, Qatar