Startup Grind Doha has announced the winners of its second annual Tech Startup Community Awards, celebrating the key founders, startups, mentors, investors, and ecosystem leaders who are instrumental in shaping Qatar’s burgeoning innovation landscape.
The ceremony, held on January 25th, brought together a diverse group of entrepreneurs and stakeholders to recognise excellence, impact, and collaboration across the country’s fast-growing startup scene. The awards maintain their community-led ethos, created by and for the local ecosystem to spotlight its most influential contributors.
A Celebration of Community and Collaboration
This year’s winners reflect the increasing diversity and maturity of Qatar’s innovation ecosystem, with honorees spanning sectors like tech, fintech, and AI, and representing companies from the idea stage to the growth stage. The event underscored the importance of community spirit in fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurs.
As Title Sponsor, MBK Global reaffirmed its dedication to nurturing entrepreneurship in Qatar, highlighting the strategic importance of such initiatives in building a sustainable and dynamic tech hub.
The 2025 Award Winners
The awards recognised outstanding achievements across ten key categories:
- Community Builder of the Year: Steve Mackie
- Mentor of the Year: Dr. Hanan El Basha
- Tech Disruptor Award: Shipbee
- Idea Stage Startup of the Year: Empowrd
- Growth Stage Startup of the Year: Emma Systems
- Breakthrough Startup of the Year: PayLater
- Most Value Added Investor: Golden Gate Ventures
- Female Founder: Hissa AlThani
- AI Startup of the Year: Lillia
- FinTech Startup of the Year: Karty
Empowering Local Innovation
“These awards are about more than recognition,” said the Chapter Director of Startup Grind Doha. “They celebrate the people and startups who consistently give back, push boundaries, and help build a stronger, more connected startup ecosystem in Qatar. The winners truly represent the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines our community.”
This sentiment was echoed by HE Sheikh Mansoor Bi Khalifa Al Thani, Chairman of MBK Global.
“Supporting initiatives like the Startup Grind Tech Startup Community Awards aligns strongly with our belief in empowering entrepreneurs and building sustainable innovation ecosystems,” he commented. “These awards highlight the talent, ambition, and collaborative spirit driving Qatar’s startup community forward, and we are proud to support a platform that recognizes those creating real impact.”
About Startup Grind Doha
Startup Grind Doha is the local chapter of the global Startup Grind community, designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs. Through events, media, and partnerships, it fosters a robust network for founders, innovators, and investors in Qatar, providing them with resources and opportunities to grow their ventures.
Source: Wamda
