Sold out Web Summit Qatar welcomes record 25,747 to the Middle East’s biggest startup event

Web Summit Qatar has hit full capacity this year, welcoming 25,747 attendees from 124 countries – along with 1,520 startups and 723 investors – to the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). This is over 10,000 more attendees than last year, making Web Summit Qatar the MENA region’s top startup event. Notably, 47 percent of startups are women-founded – a 51 percent increase from 2024.

Web Summit Qatar in numbers

• Sold out with 25,747 attendees from 124 countries;
• Largest startup gathering in the Middle East — 1,520 startups and 723 investors;
• 168 partners are exhibiting, including Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, and Huawei;
• 381 speakers are taking the stage to tackle issues from AI and global policy to climate change;
• Over 47 percent women-founded startups – a 51 percent rise from last year – with 37 percent women attendees;
• 120 new meetups organised through Web Summit’s AI-powered system;
• AI is the top startup sector at Web Summit Qatar (17 percent), followed by SaaS, Healthtech & Wellness, Fintech, and Education;

Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave took to the stage on Opening Night at the sold-out Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), saying: “Qatar is a gateway, not just to the Middle East, but to the world. And for the next three days, Qatar will be Web Summit’s home. It is beyond anything that we could have expected or planned for. This incredible venue that we once wondered if we’d ever fill over five years, is at maximum capacity after just two years.” 

He continued – “We live in remarkable times because technology is redefining the very fabric of our shared global existence. Right before our eyes, the world’s centre of economic, technological and diplomatic gravity is also shifting. After nearly 500 years of Western dominance, we are moving to a multipolar world.
In a sense, all 25,000 of us in Qatar this week are here in search of answers about our rapidly changing future. And over the next three days you’ll find every imaginable discussion on that future.”

In his opening speech, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted Qatar’s unique position on the global stage, drawing a compelling parallel between the state and a startup. He stated “Being a small state like Qatar is similar to being a startup in this exciting digital age, where an entrepreneur with a brilliant idea can change the world.” 

He also emphasised Qatar’s commitment to economic transformation, noting, “Just like many nations around the world, we are embarking on a massive deregulation campaign to unlock our economy for the private sector. Built on the back of our thriving energy sector, we are positioned for a private sector take-off. This launch will include even more transformative partnerships across key sectors, from pioneering fintech solutions to groundbreaking climate technologies, proving that it’s time to jumpstart innovation in the MENA region.”  

The largest gathering of startups in the Middle East

The 1,520 startups at Web Summit Qatar 2025 represent more than 90 countries. They will spend the coming days meeting with potential customers, business partners and the 723 investors who have flown to Web Summit from around the world in search of their next investment and tapping into regional business opportunities. In total, 228 of these startups come from Qatar, while 85 percent are from the rest of the world.

When looking at the early-stage startups who participated in the Web Summit Qatar 2024 Startups Programme last year, according to Crunchbase, 82 companies raised $120 million in the 12 months since the event.

Over 47 percent of startups are women founded 

This year, over 47 percent of startups are women-founded – marking a 51 percent increase from last year – with 37 percent of attendees being women. This growth is driven by Web Summit’s startup team, which actively sought out women-led startups and provided exclusive discounts to encourage their participation in the Middle East’s premier tech event.

168 partners

With 168 partners from countries such as Qatar, the United States, Egypt, Brazil, Italy, Nigeria, the UK, India, and beyond, Web Summit Qatar attracts global investors to the region to tap into MENA’s growing tech ecosystem.

Globally recognised companies such as Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, IBM, TikTok, Snap, iHeart, Cloudflare and Huawei are among the 168 partners joining to showcase their innovations on the sold-out event floor alongside the early-stage startups. 

New meetups highlight diverse interests 

More than 120 meetups will be organised and operated through Web Summit’s proprietary software, Summit Engine, which uses an AI-powered recommender system to help connect attendees with each other based on shared interests, industries, and goals.

AI-powered meetups include Women in Sustainability, Lebanon at Web Summit, Cybersecurity, Neurodiverse & ADHD, AI CEOs, and UX/UI Designers in Tech. From artists leveraging tech in creative ways to space tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs sharing their favorite books, and groups tackling imposter syndrome, Web Summit meetups help attendees build meaningful connections around shared passions.

381 speakers, 710 media

Hollywood superstar Will Smith; Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang; best-selling authors and podcast hosts Malcolm Gladwell and Jay Shetty; Seven Seven Six and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian;  Facebook and B Capital co-founder Eduardo Saverin; and Mozilla Corporation CEO Laura Chambers are among the 381 industry leaders who will speak across Web Summit Qatar’s five stages about the changing landscape of investment, entertainment, sports and our rapidly changing future

710 CEOs, editors and journalists from news organisations such as the Financial Times, Reuters, Al Jazeera, CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, will report the top stories and question these CEOs and founders interviews on and off stage. 

723 investors 

Investors from around the world, including Global Ventures Managing Partner Noor Sweid, Greycroft Partner, COO, and CFO Kevin Gasque, Altimeter Partner Vivek Goyal, Cherry Ventures Founding Partner Christian Meermann, Qatar Investment Authority Head of TMT Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hardan, Peak XV Managing Director GV Ravishankar and 500 Global Partner Amal Dokhan, will be connecting with the world’s most promising startups. 

At Opening Night, Seven Seven Six Founder and General Partner, and Reddit Co-Founder, Alexis Ohanian, emphasized the importance of investing in women’s sports, noting how bias and preconceived notions often make investors hesitant to back opportunities—even when the potential for high returns is clear.

QIA’s $1 billion Fund of Funds programme marks its first anniversary at Web Summit Qatar, with His Excellency the Prime Minister highlighting its role in strengthening the local startup ecosystem. QIA has now partnered with six leading investment firms, including newly announced B Capital and Deerfield, to drive innovation in fintech, healthcare, AI, and clean energy. These firms will establish regional headquarters in Doha, further solidifying Qatar’s position as a global tech hub.

AI takes the lead 

AI dominated Opening Night, with Scale AI CEO, Alexandr Wang, underscoring the urgency of this transformation. As AI transforms industries, politics, and society, questions of power, ethics, and impact drive discussions at Web Summit Qatar, alongside the startups shaping what’s next.

AI is also leading the way as the most represented startup industry at Web Summit Qatar 2025 (17 percent), highlighting its growing influence across all sectors. It was followed by SaaS, Healthtech & Wellness, Fintech, and Education.

Meetups powered through Web Summit’s AI-powered recommender system include Women Founders in AI meetup, AI CEO meetup, and Qatar-based AI enthusiasts.