GCO hosts press conference ahead of Web Summit Qatar 2025

Thousands of global entrepreneurs and tech leaders to convene as second edition kicks off next week 

The Government Communications Office (GCO) confirmed that preparations are complete for the highly anticipated second edition of Web Summit Qatar, taking place from 23-26 February at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. Thousands of entrepreneurs, investors and technology leaders from around the world will gather for the region’s largest tech event, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a global hub for innovation. 

During a press conference held in collaboration with Web Summit, the GCO unveiled final details of this year’s event, which is part of a long-term partnership extending until 2028. This strategic initiative reflects Qatar’s ongoing commitment to fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and attracting the world’s brightest minds to shape the future of technology.  

With just days to go, demand for Web Summit Qatar 2025 continues to surge, over 25,000 tickets sold. The event will welcome over 1,500 startups, of which 46 percent are women-founded. In addition, Qatari startup participation has surged to 140 percent compared to last year’s event. 

The second edition will also welcome more than 300 speakers, 600 investors and 600 media representatives from across the globe. These figures underscore Web Summit Qatar’s growing momentum, solidifying its status as a key meeting point for the world’s technology and business leaders. 

Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the GCO and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee, stated: “Last year, we hosted the first edition of Web Summit Qatar, the largest tech event in the MENA region, and a valuable addition to Qatar’s achievements. Our primary goal from hosting this event centres on developing the tech sector in Qatar as well as reinforcing the State’s standing as a leading regional hub.” 

Sheikh Jassim added: “We firmly believe that investing in innovation and technology will contribute to sustainable development and economic growth, in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030. We are confident that this year’s edition will surpass expectations, as these figures reflect strong interest from major tech leaders and entrepreneurs from across the world who are eager to participate in Web Summit Qatar 2025.“

Paddy Cosgrave, Founder and CEO of Web Summit, also spoke at the event, stating: “There are startups that will be exhibiting, and 85 percent of them are international. In just the space of a year, the number of startups participating in our programs has grown by more than 50 percent. The number of investors travelling from around the world has also increased sharply in a single year by around 50 percent, with roughly 90 percent of the investors flying to Qatar, to Doha from around the world,” reaffirming the event’s accelerated growth and importance as well as Doha’s prominent standing as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship.  

“More than 200 Qatari startups who will also be on the floor are a huge measure of how vibrant and rapidly the ecosystem in Doha and Qatar is changing.” He added that, Web Summit Qatar “is not just a regional event. It may be happening in the Middle East, but it’s a global gathering of companies and investors that I think will play a very prominent and important role in the future.” 

Over four days, the summit will feature high-profile speakers, including HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, CEO of Qatar Foundation; HE Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, President of the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau and Secretary-General of the National Planning Council; Sheikh Ali bin Al-Waleed Al Thani, CEO of Qatar Investment Promotion Agency; Eng Badr Mohammed Al Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways; Eng Omar Al Ansari, Secretary-General of the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council; Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hardan, Head of Technology, Media and Telecom Investments at Qatar Investment Authority; HE Saad bin Ali bin Saad Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism; Abdulrahman Hesham Al-Suwaidi, CEO of Qatar Development Bank; Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones and publisher of The Wall Street Journal ; Alexander Wang, Founder & CEO of Scale AI; and Alexis Ohanian, Founder & General Partner of Seven Seven Six. 

Web Summit Qatar is supported by leading national and international partners, including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Development Bank, Investment Promotion Agency Qatar, Visit Qatar, Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council, Qatar Science & Technology Park, Qatar Airways, Qatar National Bank, Ooredoo, Meta, iHeartMedia, QuantumBlack, Microsoft, Accenture, TikTok and Huawei. 

This edition features an extensive program of panel discussions, workshops and keynote sessions, all designed to explore the latest advancements in technology and digital markets.  

Web Summit Qatar aligns with the Third National Development Strategy, driving economic diversification by supporting innovation, launching bold new initiatives and providing key incentives for investment in advanced technologies. 

For the full agenda, speaker lineup and key discussions visit the official event website: https://qatar.websummit.com.