Web Summit Qatar 2026 officially opened on Sunday, February 1, welcoming technology leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to Doha for its third edition. Hosted at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, the event recorded its largest turnout to date, attracting participants from more than 120 countries and reinforcing Qatar’s growing role as a global meeting point for innovation and technology.
The event recorded strong growth across all areas, welcoming 1,637 startups, an increase from 1,520 last year. Notably, 85 percent of participating startups were international, highlighting the summit’s expanding global reach. Investor participation also rose significantly, with 931 investors attending, representing a 29 percent year-on-year increase. Leading global venture capital firms present included Amino Capital, Greycroft, and 500 Global, reflecting growing international interest in the region.
Web Summit Qatar continues to attract strong government engagement, with 22 government delegations participating this year. Several countries, including Italy, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Switzerland, and the United States, made their debut at the Doha edition of the summit.
The conference programme features 427 speakers addressing some of today’s most pressing technology topics, including artificial intelligence, chip supply chains, tech geopolitics, quantum computing, and the creator economy. The event is also being covered by 841 international media representatives, underlining its global significance.
Major global technology and consulting firms are taking part as partners, including IBM, Google, Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, Huawei, McKinsey, Cisco, and Dell. Media partners for the event include Al Jazeera, Euronews, Forbes, CNBC, Axios, and Dow Jones.
Networking remains a core element of Web Summit Qatar, with 180 meetups scheduled throughout the event. These sessions are supported by AI-powered recommendations, connecting participants around shared interests such as fintech, education technology, emerging markets, and efforts to close the gender gap in tech.
Diversity and inclusion continue to be a priority. Women-founded startups account for 38 percent of all startups at this year’s summit, up from 31 percent in 2024. The increase follows a focused effort linked to the 10th anniversary of the Web Summit Women in Tech programme, which continues to promote greater gender balance through dedicated networking sessions and community spaces.
The opening night featured remarks by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who highlighted Qatar’s ambition to strengthen its position as a global hub for innovation. During the opening, the expansion of the Qatar Investment Authority’s $2 billion Fund of Funds Programme was announced, alongside the introduction of a 10-year visa programme for international entrepreneurs, aimed at attracting long-term talent and investment to the country.
Web Summit Qatar runs until February 4, bringing together global voices and ideas that continue to shape the future of technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.