The State of Qatar has successfully concluded its participation at Web Summit Lisbon, utilizing the global stage to spotlight its rapidly growing innovation ecosystem and present compelling investment opportunities to an international audience. The country’s pavilion served as a central hub for engagement, attracting significant interest from investors, entrepreneurs, and tech professionals ahead of Doha hosting its own edition of the summit.
A key highlight of the Qatari presence was the “Start from Qatar” program, an online platform launched by the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar to serve as a single comprehensive resource for startups looking to establish and grow in the country.
A Strategic Showcase For A Growing Ecosystem
The Qatar pavilion was a focal point of activity, drawing more than 4,000 visitors throughout the event. Attendees engaged with representatives from 17 government and semi-government entities to learn about national initiatives aimed at fostering a robust digital economy, including various incubator and accelerator programs. The delegation’s efforts garnered extensive international media coverage, highlighting Qatar’s emergence as a key innovation center in the MENA region.
The pavilion also welcomed His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, Minister of Labour, who reviewed the national initiatives presented at the global event that underscore Qatar’s commitment to supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and foreign investment.
Building Global Partnerships
The participation was a strategic move to build momentum for the upcoming Web Summit Qatar. The delegation, led by Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office and Chairman of the Web Summit Qatar Organizing Committee, focused on forging key international relationships.
“Qatar’s participation in Web Summit Lisbon affirms its firm commitment to strengthening its presence at the world’s most prominent technology and innovation events and showcasing the country’s potential as an attractive environment for business and high-quality investments,” said Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani. “The Summit provided an ideal opportunity to strengthen partnerships with leading international institutions in technology and entrepreneurship, and to exchange expertise on the latest trends in the digital economy.”
Tangible Results and Startup Interest
The outreach efforts yielded immediate and impressive results. The “Start from Qatar” program received approximately 300 applications from international startups seeking to join the initiative during the summit.
Furthermore, nearly 100 companies expressed a desire to register with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), reflecting the growing appeal of the country’s economic and investment framework for global entrepreneurs.
Ecosystem Enablers Take Center Stage
Qatar’s multi-faceted delegation demonstrated a united front in promoting the national ecosystem. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology showcased programs like the TASMU Accelerator, which is designed to fast-track the growth of innovative startups. The Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council was also present to explore future collaborations with international institutions.
Yousuf Fakhroo, Chief Marketing & Corporate Communications Officer at QFC, noted the significant interest in the Qatari market, stating that the previous Web Summit Qatar edition saw over 600 companies register with QFC, with expectations for even more in the next installment.
Mubarak Khalifa Al-Hitmi, Director of Business Incubation and Acceleration at Qatar Development Bank (QDB), reiterated the bank’s commitment to the national initiative. “Our participation reflects our firm commitment to supporting this national initiative, which aims to attract tech startups by providing an integrated package of financing solutions, incentive programs, and other support services necessary for growth and prosperity,” he commented.
The delegation also featured homegrown success stories, including Snoonu. Hamad Mubarak Al-Hajri, Founder and CEO of Qatar’s first tech unicorn, confirmed the company’s presence was aimed at promoting Qatari technology and announced that Snoonu is preparing to unveil new technologies for the first time in the Middle East during Web Summit Qatar 2026.
About Start from Qatar
Start from Qatar is a flagship initiative by the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar designed to attract and support startups from around the world. It serves as a comprehensive online platform that provides access to funding programs, government incentives, incubation opportunities, and essential services required for setting up and scaling a business in Qatar’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
Source: Al Sharq
