Doha, Qatar: Web Summit Qatar 2026 concluded Wednesday following four days of discussions, underscoring its role as a global platform uniting decision-makers, entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders to shape the future of technology, innovation, and the digital economy.
The event attracted a record 30,274 participants from 127 countries, an 18% increase compared to last year, alongside close to 1,000 investors, and 1,637 startups, 38% of them founded by women.
Director of the Government Communications Office (GCO) and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organizing Committee, HE Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani said: "Web Summit Qatar 2026 sends a clear message that technology and innovation are essential pillars of our national development. The summit serves as a strategic platform to enable partnerships that accelerate the transition toward a knowledge-based economy and enhance Qatar's competitiveness regionally and globally."
He added: "The strong startup participation seen today, including Qatari companies, highlights the strength and maturity of Qatar's entrepreneurship ecosystem, supported by a conducive environment that brings together enabling legal and regulatory frameworks, advanced digital infrastructure, and public-private integration, turning Qatar National Vision 2030 into tangible and sustainable growth."
Founder and CEO of Web Summit, Paddy Cosgrave said: "Web Summit Qatar has rapidly emerged as one of the world's most important technology events within just three years, highlighting Qatar's ambition to play a leading role in shaping the future of technology."
He also pointed to strong investor momentum, noting that despite global venture capital challenges, this year's summit recorded a 27% increase in investors, reflecting continued confidence in identifying the technology leaders of the next decade.
This year's summit saw the signing of more than 77 MoUs between Qatari entities and major global technology companies, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.
PITCH, the summit's flagship startup competition sponsored by Jusour, took center stage on the closing day, with a selection of promising early-stage startups presenting their ideas and strategies to an international audience.
The three PITCH finalists were Plantaform, an award-winning Canadian agri-tech company, UAE-based fashion brand &Again, and GluxKind, a Canadian company developing AI-powered baby strollers. Plantaform was named winner of this year's PITCH competition.
Strong turnout was recorded at the Startup Qatar pavilion, reflecting the impact of incentives announced by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al- Thani, at the opening of the summit. The incentives included USD 2 billion in new investments, a 10-year residency program for entrepreneurs and executives, and fast-tracked company setup for Web Summit Qatar attendees.
A Startup Showcase spotlighted a selection of high-potential startups currently operating in Qatar, reflecting the depth and diversity of the country's innovation ecosystem. The showcase featured companies working across key growth sectors including mobility, fintech, gaming and virtual reality, energy and sustainability, as well as AI solutions tailored for Arab audiences.
As the region's largest and fastest-growing technology event, the summit witnessed strong engagement, with discussions spanning artificial intelligence, fintech, and the creative economy, while highlighting the impact of advanced technologies on economic growth and sustainable digital societies. The program also underscored the role of innovation in boosting emerging economies and the value of cross-border collaboration in accelerating digital transformation.
Government leaders, global technology executives, and startup founders from around the world took part in the summit's sessions, offering insights into the future of artificial intelligence, the impact of emerging technologies on jobs, and the role of policy in enabling innovation. Speakers underscored Web Summit Qatar's position as a key platform for exchanging expertise and building strong networks across the global technology ecosystem.
The summit concluded with a program of focused sessions and masterclasses, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and experts to discuss digital solutions and investment opportunities across fintech, e-commerce, cybersecurity, and digital media. The high level of engagement highlighted the event's growing reputation as a platform for partnerships and growth.
A session led by Noora Al Jaidah, Researcher at Qatar Environment and Energy Institute (QEERI) and Founder of Hydra Bite, a food-tech startup redefining hydration through edible solutions, explored how AI can support Qatar's agriculture sector in addressing the challenges of hot desert climates. Drawing on applied research and real-world insights from local farms, the session highlighted how AI-driven monitoring, optimization, and decision-support tools can create more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.
In a session titled "The Future of Payments in the GCC," Mohammed Al Delaimi, Founder of SkipCash and PayLater, and other industry leaders explored regional cooperation, digital infrastructure development, and responsible credit frameworks shaping the future of financial services and sustainable growth in the GCC.
On the final day, startups took center stage, pitching innovative solutions to international investors and funds through curated pitches and one-on-one meetings. The breadth and quality of ideas, spanning AI, digital services, and green technologies, highlighted the region's vibrant startup landscape and Qatar's growing influence as an innovation hub.
The summit affirms Qatar's commitment to advancing a knowledge-based economy and attracting global talent and investment, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. The strong outcomes of the 2026 edition reinforce Web Summit Qatar's position as a leading platform and its role in cementing Qatar's status as a regional center for dialogue on the future of technology and innovation.
Transforming dialogue into action, the summit opens new pathways for international cooperation and partnerships, amplifying the event's long-term economic and knowledge impact worldwide.
The summit also contributes to opening new avenues for international cooperation and transforming ideas into tangible projects and partnerships, enhancing its long-term economic and knowledge impact regionally and globally.
Tickets for the January 2027 edition of Web Summit Qatar are now on sale, following strong demand and increasing global interest in the event.
