Doha recently witnessed a massive convergence of tech talent as Risin Ventures and HyperThink Systems hosted the AIX Summit & Hackathon 2025. Held at the GE Advanced Technology & Research Center within the Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), the event gathered over 300 innovators, designers, and AI experts from more than 20 countries. Supported by key ecosystem players including Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and Ooredoo, the initiative aimed to transition Artificial Intelligence from abstract potential to tangible industrial application within Qatar’s growing digital economy.
A Global Convergence Of Innovation
The event was designed to move beyond theoretical discussions, functioning as a high-pressure environment where solutions were forged in real-time. Out of a competitive pool of 536 applications, 81 teams were selected to participate in a 48-hour sprint to transform raw ideas into viable prototypes. The hackathon resulted in the development of over 70 AI-driven solutions, with participants benefiting from over 100 hours of direct mentorship from industry experts. The weekend culminated in a $20,000 prize pool awarded to four winning teams that successfully addressed critical sector challenges.
Solving Real-World Industry Challenges
Unlike open-ended hackathons, the AIX Summit focused on three specific, high-impact themes: Fintech AI, Enterprise AI, and Investment AI. Teams were tasked with solving concrete use cases defined by partners QDB and Ooredoo, such as developing regulatory navigators, automating contract lifecycle management, and creating AI-powered customer support assistants for SMEs. Notable winners included Crudbot in the Fintech category, Codenova and X-Force in Enterprise AI, and Binary Bridges in Investment AI. These teams were recognized for delivering solutions that were not only technically robust but also commercially viable for immediate integration.
Bridging Builders And Believers
Running parallel to the hackathon, the AIX Summit convened over 150 CXOs and industry leaders to discuss the future of enterprise AI integration. Through eight roundtables and four panel discussions, C-suite executives engaged directly with the technical talent, bridging the gap between commercial strategy and technical feasibility. Keynote speakers, including Dr. Pascal Dutru, Advisor to MCIT Qatar, emphasized that the true value of AI lies in its seamless integration into business processes. This dual structure allowed the event to function as a pipeline, identifying top-tier talent ready for corporate integration while shifting corporate mindsets toward viewing AI as a core business driver.
About Risin Ventures
Risin Ventures is a MENA and India-focused venture studio and incubation support firm based in Doha. The company empowers startups, researchers, and tech firms through tailored accelerator programs, funding, and mentorship. By leveraging open innovation programs, Risin Ventures connects large enterprises with global innovators to co-create secure, scalable AI products that align with long-term strategic goals.
Source: Risin Ventures
