In a significant move to bolster its innovation ecosystem, Qatar has welcomed a new delegation of high-growth international startups, facilitated by the global venture capital firm Builders VC. The firm introduced six of its portfolio companies to Doha during Web Summit Qatar 2026, bringing the total number of Builders-backed startups engaging with the Qatari market to sixteen over the past year, representing a collective enterprise value of over $15 billion.
Strategic Engagements to Drive National Vision 2030
The visit underscored a deepening alignment between frontier technology innovators and Qatar’s long-term economic roadmap. The delegation from Builders VC engaged in high-level discussions with more than 30 Qatari entities across government, investment, healthcare, infrastructure, energy, and financial services.
The six visiting companies—Augment, Gradiant, Ashbrook Technologies, Pathos, Navier, and Breaking—explored pilot programs, research collaborations, and commercialization strategies tailored to Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3). The focus was on deploying solutions in key sectors such as fintech, climate technology, healthcare, and advanced industrials.
A $3 Billion Commitment to a Global Venture Hub
The engagement coincided with a landmark announcement from His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who revealed a $2 billion expansion of the Qatar Investment Authority’s (QIA) Fund of Funds program, bringing its total commitment to $3 billion. As a partner in the program, Builders VC sees this as a powerful signal of Qatar’s dedication to cultivating a globally competitive venture capital landscape that attracts top-tier international innovation.
“Builders VC’s presence in Doha reflects its commitment to enabling two-way innovation flow: introducing scaled global portfolio companies to the Qatari market while supporting Qatar-based ventures in accessing global capital and international markets,” said Jim Kim, General Partner and Founder of Builders VC.
He added, “For several companies, discussions progressed from initial exploration to clearly defined pilot programs and structured market-entry pathways. This reflects a strong institutional appetite for companies that are committed to building locally, investing in long-term partnerships, and contributing meaningfully to Qatar’s innovation ecosystem.”
Fostering Local Integration and Regional Scale
The firm’s MENA strategy emphasizes embedding innovators within the local ecosystem to create shared, long-term value rather than pursuing simple market expansion.
Tarik Sultan, General Partner and Head of MENA at Builders VC, commented, “Bringing portfolio companies to Qatar is not simply about market expansion; it is about embedding high-growth innovators within a dynamic ecosystem that values partnership, local capability building, and shared long-term value creation. We see Qatar as a strategic gateway for scaling transformative technologies across the region.”
To support this vision, Builders VC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sidra Medicine at Web Summit Qatar, aimed at advancing collaboration in healthcare innovation and emerging medical technologies. The firm has also expanded its local team with the appointments of Fernanda Braz as Director of Portfolio Growth & Expansion, MENA, and Yousef Azzam as a Venture Analyst to strengthen its on-the-ground capabilities.
About Builders VC
Builders VC is a global venture capital firm investing in companies modernizing the world’s most foundational industries. With teams across North America and the Middle East, the firm partners with founders solving complex challenges in healthcare, agriculture, biotechnology, and industrial systems. As a partner of the QIA Fund of Funds, Builders VC is committed to supporting innovation and long-term value creation across the GCC and beyond.
Source: Zawya
