The Permanent Committee for Hosting the Web Summit held its annual strategic meeting in Doha, to prepare for the Qatar Web Summit 2027, as part of the preparations for organizing the fourth edition of the technology event, which Doha will host from January 31 to February 3 next.
The meeting was chaired by Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabr Al Thani, Director of the Government Communications Office and Chairman of the Standing Committee for Hosting the Web Summit, in the presence of committee members representing the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Visit Qatar, and the Qatar Investment Promotion Agency, in addition to representatives of the Qatar Investment Authority and Qatar Airways Group, along with Mr. Paddy Cosgrave, founder and CEO of the Web Summit, and a number of senior members of the Web Summit team.
During the meeting, the committee reviewed the growing impact of the Qatar Web Summit as a global platform for entrepreneurship, investment and innovation, as 69 startup companies within the “Start from Qatar” program succeeded in obtaining funding worth about 750 million Qatari riyals since the 2025 edition, which reflects the program’s role in connecting entrepreneurs with investors from around the world.
The Qatar Web Summit 2026 also witnessed the registration of more than 300 companies with the Qatar Financial Centre, which contributed to achieving an annual growth of 57% in the number of companies registered with the center during the first quarter of this year. These results contributed to strengthening the position of the State of Qatar as a regional center for innovation, and achieving its highest rank in the global index for the startup ecosystem.
Based on these results, the committee discussed the priorities for the next edition, with a focus on enhancing international participation, attracting emerging companies, investors and leading technology companies, and expanding opportunities for Qatari entrepreneurs, ensuring the continued economic and cognitive impact of the summit in the long term.
In his speech during the meeting, Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabr Al Thani said: “Qatar Web Summit continues to consolidate its position as a global platform that brings together entrepreneurs, investors and technology leaders from around the world, and contributes to supporting the digital economy and strengthening the entrepreneurship system in the State of Qatar. As we prepare for the fourth edition, we focus on building on the successes achieved, thus enhancing the impact of our partnership with the Web Summit and providing long-term opportunities in the State of Qatar and the region.”
For his part, Mr. Paddy Cosgrave, founder and CEO of the Web Summit, said: “Previous editions of the Web Summit in Doha demonstrated the strength of the partnership that brings us together with the State of Qatar, and the growing international interest in this event. We look forward to continuing this success, and once again welcoming the global technology community to Doha during the next edition.”
