Qatar returns to Web Summit Lisbon for fourth consecutive year

Delegation’s visit forms part of preparations to host Web Summit Qatar 2027
Startup Qatar pavilion to showcase investment opportunities and offer business registration and setup support

A Qatari delegation led by Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office and Chairman of the Permanent Web Summit Organising Committee, will attend Web Summit Lisbon 2026 from 9 to 12 November, joining industry leaders, investors, and founders from around the world. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Qatar has taken part in the summit.

The visit forms part of preparations for the fourth edition of Web Summit Qatar, which takes place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center from 31 January to 3 February 2027. In Lisbon, the delegation will promote the country’s business and investment environment, highlight opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs, and build interest in the next edition.

Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani said: “Web Summit Lisbon is an opportunity to engage with the global technology community and show what Qatar offers: a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, where companies can establish and expand their businesses. These efforts support the goals of the Third National Development Strategy to diversify the national economy and strengthen the role of innovation and technology in sustainable development.”

He added: “We look forward to welcoming startups, investors, and industry leaders to Web Summit Qatar 2027 to explore opportunities and build new partnerships. Building on the success of previous editions, we aim to attract more companies and investment to the technology sector and strengthen Qatar’s position as a destination for growth, innovation, and regional expansion.”

Dr Hamad Rashid Al Naimi, Chief Strategy Officer at Invest Qatar, said: “For startups looking to take their next big step, Qatar offers an environment to turn ambition into opportunity. With access to funding, advanced infrastructure, talent, and a growing network of strategic partners, the country is creating the conditions for innovative businesses to establish and scale.”

He added: “Through Startup Qatar, we bring these opportunities together in one integrated platform, easing the journey for startups to launch and grow in Qatar. The initiative’s impact was recently recognised through the 2026 United Nations Investment Promotion Award for excellence in attracting investment in the digital economy. At Web Summit Lisbon, we look forward to connecting with founders and showcasing why Qatar is a compelling place to build their next venture.”

The delegation comprises representatives from government and semi-government entities, including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Qatar Investment Authority, Invest Qatar, Qatar Development Bank, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Science & Technology Park, Media City Qatar, Companies House, Visit Qatar, and the Hayya platform.

The Startup Qatar pavilion, led by Invest Qatar, will bring together entities from across technology, investment, and entrepreneurship to present the country’s business environment and promote the next edition. It will also showcase Startup Qatar’s achievements and the opportunities it offers startups.

The Startup Qatar Investment Program, provided by Qatar Development Bank, has attracted more than 10,000 applications and awarded over USD 100 million in funding to more than 50 startups from around the world, including from Italy, Oman, Spain, Singapore, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Participating startups benefit from registration and licence renewal fee waivers, subsidised co-working spaces and accommodation, mentorship, and market access, supporting their growth and expansion from Qatar.

The pavilion will offer instant business registration and setup support, walking entrepreneurs and investors through the practical steps of launching a business in Qatar. Companies House, launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to register and license companies in Qatar’s economic zones, will take part for the first time.

A series of interactive activations will introduce visitors to life and opportunity in Qatar. They include the stories of people from around the world who moved to the country and found personal and professional success, and a wall highlighting what it offers businesses and investors. Through the “Ask Qatar” activation, visitors can send questions to people living in Qatar from a tablet to learn from their experiences and receive answers to their enquiries.

Four startups supported by Startup Qatar will also exhibit: Growa.Ai, which offers AI-powered smart agriculture solutions; Aligator, which develops AI agents to manage public relations tasks; Multiverse Computing, which provides secure, low-cost AI solutions for organisations; and Wellbees, which focuses on workplace wellbeing and employee health. Together, they reflect the range of companies and opportunities within Qatar’s startup ecosystem.

Qatar Science & Technology Park will run a series of workshops on its support for startups, including a program that prepares early-stage businesses for market entry, a USD 30 million venture capital fund for locally based founders, and two accelerators focused on women’s health technology and water technology. It will also seek European and international startups that qualify for its incubation and acceleration tracks and want to expand in the region.

Qatar’s participation reflects its drive to strengthen its presence at global technology forums and expand partnerships with international investors, entrepreneurs, and companies. It also highlights the opportunities in the country’s technology and innovation ecosystem, helping attract investment and empower startups ahead of Web Summit Qatar 2027.