PITCH semi-final

Innovation on Display: Web Summit Qatar PITCH Semi-Finals Unveil Future Tech Leaders

The Web Summit Qatar PITCH semi-finals, hosted by Mr. Sunil Sharma and Ms. Laura Vicente, showcased eight innovative startups. Selected from over 1,000 exhibitors, each delivered a concise three-minute pitch without Q&A to expert judges, competing for a coveted spot in the final. This event highlighted the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and the high caliber of global innovation.

The distinguished judging panel included representatives from Justour, Invest Qatar, Mapable, Unicoin, Startup Studio, Plus Venture Capital, 7% Ventures, Dubai Future District Fund, and TRGC. Their critical task was to identify the top three startups to advance to the PITCH final, scheduled for the following day at 12:30 PM on Center Stage.

Among the contenders, Ms. Juanita Andrade’s Nex Tech presented a digital platform for preventive healthcare for pregnant women and newborns, leveraging IoT and machine learning to save lives. Mr. Denis Polulyakhov’s Aster introduced an enterprise-grade blockchain for asset tokenization and interoperability. Ms. Mariam Nusrat’s Breshna.io showcased a no-code platform for creating purposeful video games for education and social impact.

Mr. Zaid Al-fagih’s Rhazes AI pitched an AI assistant for doctors, aiming to reduce burnout and administrative costs with specialist-level second opinions. Ms. Chido Dzinotyiwei’s Vambo AI highlighted a multilingual AI solution extending long-form content to underserved languages, particularly in Africa. Mr. Mohammed Al-Sulaiti’s Wokta introduced an all-in-one entertainment booking platform for local activities in Qatar.

Ms. Egija Gailuma’s OX Drive presented a sustainable mobility and energy startup, offering EV car-sharing and a charging network using repurposed batteries. Mr. Rustam Rahmatov’s Iman pitched an Islamic fintech super app and banking-as-a-service model, providing ethical banking solutions for two billion people.

Following the intense pitches, judges Mr. Stephan Morais and Ms. Silvina Moschini praised the passion and clarity of the presentations. Mr. Sharif El-Badawi underscored the importance of concise communication within the strict time limit, reflecting on the high quality of all contenders.

Ultimately, the three startups selected to advance to the PITCH final were Iman, Breshna.io, and Rhazes AI. These companies will compete tomorrow at 12:30 PM to be crowned the first winner of PITCH at Web Summit Qatar, marking a significant milestone in their entrepreneurial journey.