Startup University

Our network of CEOs, founders and investors take the stage to give their tips on how to navigate launching and growing a startup. Learn from the people who’ve done it all before.

Mikayel Vardanyan, Co-founder & Chief Product Officer, Picsart, on the Startup University stage at Web Summit Qatar 2024
Mikayel Vardanyan
Co-founder & Chief Product Officer
Picsart

What’s happening?

Nobody prepared you for this in school. Welcome to Web Summit Qatar’s crash course on building and growing your startup, with curated content and insights from some of the world’s most famous startup success stories. Your ticket gives you access to all Startup University sessions, as well as to roundtables, masterclasses and 10-plus other tracks at Web Summit Qatar.

Photograph of a person (Fernando Cabral, managing director/managing partner of FS-360/Djassi Africa) speaking on stage at Web Summit. They are sitting on a chair and holding what appears to be notes in their hand.
A rectangle divided along a diagonal line into two areas of solid colour.
A diamond shape on a solid background.
A thick solid-colour arc crosses a solid background
From startup to scale-up

In the early stages, no startup has all the answers. Join leaders of successful ventures as they share insights they gained along their journeys. Uncover the business models and strategies propelling startups toward new geographical growth. Discover the techniques for scaling your business to the next tier.

Diagonal lines cross a solid background
Fundraising in 2024

A significant shift in the funding landscape has ushered in a new reality for fundraisers. Against the backdrop of inflation and recession concerns, what criteria are investors prioritising in this altered market? Founders, unicorns, and investors discuss the challenges and opportunities.

16 small dots laid out in a grid pattern on a solid background
Emerging technologies

Where is the latest surge of innovation guiding us? Will GenAI continue to dominate the startup scene in 2024? Or has this sector already shifted towards being a practical component of traditionally well-performing verticals, including biotech, fintech and robotics?

A thick solid-colour arc crosses a solid background
The company you keep

Have you got the right co-founder? Have you hired the right team? What about a board? Who you surround yourself with as a founder is one of the most important decisions you can make. Learn from founders who have succeeded – and failed – in getting the right people for their companies.

Meet the startup speakers who joined us in 2024

Mikayel Vardanyan
Mikayel Vardanyan
Co-founder & Chief Product OfficerPicsart
Saman Darkan
Saman Darkan
Co-founder & CTOKitopi
Silvina Moschini
Silvina Moschini
Founder & ChairwomanUnicoin
Dileep Thazhmon
Dileep Thazhmon
Co-founder & CEOJeeves
Amjad Masad
Amjad Masad
Co-founder & CEOReplit
Tim Ellis
Tim Ellis
Co-founder & CEORelativity Space
Zach Coelius
Zach Coelius
FounderCoelius Capital
Ghazi Shami
Ghazi Shami
Founder & CEOEmpire
Derek Ali
Derek Ali
CEO & FounderEngineEars
Tingting Peng
Tingting Peng
Chief Capital, Strategy & Impact OfficerMoove
Kevin Holmes
Kevin Holmes
Founder & CEOFounders Network
Hamad Al-Hajri
Hamad Al-Hajri
Founder & CEOSnoonu
Gil Azevedo
Gil Azevedo
Executive DirectorUnicorn Factory Lisboa

Companies that have joined our events

“Every company is faking it till they make it. There’s no making it. The story doesn’t end.”

Jager McConnell, CEO, Crunchbase

“You should only raise funding when you find partners who share your value and believe in your mission.”

Tom Okman, Co-founder & CEO, Nord Security

 

"How great is your product compared to all the other founders out there killing themselves?"

Fred Destin, Founder, Stride.VC

Be the first to know who’ll be joining us on stage at Web Summit Qatar

You may also be interested in these tracks...

See more
Venture logo
Smart money talks

Venture is a congregation of prominent investors from world-leading international funds, along with influential angels, accelerators and LPs.

See more
saas monster logo
The SaaS track

A crossroads for some of the world’s most disruptive emerging technology companies and the largest buyers and sellers of technology, SaaS Monster is a world-renowned gathering for SaaS leaders.

See more
Growth Summit logo
Unicorns in the making

Get the inside track on the tech leaders and industry giants of tomorrow. Learn from the CEOs and founders of some of the world’s most promising companies.

See more
pandaconf logo
The marketing track

PandaConf is a platform for global CMOs, leading brands, marketing and advertising industry giants, investors, agencies, and adtech startups to share ideas and envision the future of marketing.