The Web Summit Qatar 2025 is poised to kick off from February 23 to 26 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) with expectations of remarkably heightened participation compared to the prior year. The grand opening will commence with a ceremony on Sunday evening, followed by key sessions aimed at illuminating recent breakthroughs in technology.
According to the event organizers, Web Summit Qatar 2025 is set to attract over 25,000 technology and business professionals, along with 600 leading investors and media representatives. A record-breaking total of over 1,500 startups is also expected to make their presence felt at the summit. Qatari startup attendance has surged significantly by 140% since last year's inaugural event, demonstrating the fast-growing entrepreneurial spirit within the region.
Highlighting the importance of this large-scale tech gathering, HE Mohammed bin Ali al-Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, conducted a visit to the DECC on Saturday, overseeing the final preparations to deliver what is anticipated to be an exceptional experience for attendees. During his tour, al-Mannai emphasized the summit's role as a cornerstone for establishing Qatar as the regional hotspot for innovation and entrepreneurship.
"We have made tremendous preparations to provide dedicated platforms and networking opportunities for participants, ensuring they make the most of this event," al-Mannai stated, underscoring the initiative's ambitions.
The Web Summit serves as a strategic venue to explore themes such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the burgeoning tech entrepreneurship scene within Qatar. High-level industry speakers are slated to include HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, and HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, Vice-Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation.
Among the standout speakers is Oscar-winning actor Will Smith, who plans to engage audiences on the intersection of media, culture, health, and technology. Smith will engage with bestselling author and podcast host Jay Shetty, sharing insights from his illustrious career and addressing the challenges he has overcome along the way.
The diverse roster of speakers will also feature prominent tech leaders such as Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and founder of Seven Seven Six; Eduardo Saverin, co-founder of Facebook and B Capital; and Laura Chambers, CEO of Mozilla Corporation, among others. The range of expertise represented establishes the summit as not just informative, but actionable for all attendees.
Meeting the burgeoning demand for innovation, the number of startups lined up for appearances has ballooned from 1,000 during the first edition to 1,500 this year, now representing 90 countries. Notably, 46% of these startups are founded by women, signifying enhanced engagement from diverse entrepreneurial backgrounds. The statistics not only reflect the strength of Qatar’s local startup ecosystem but also its international appeal, showcasing Web Summit's commitment to spotlighting some of the world’s most promising new businesses.
Qatar Insurance Group (QIC Group) has also announced its participation at Web Summit Qatar 2025, with their segment themed "The Future of Insurance, Powered by QIC." This participation reflects the group's aim to leverage its leading market position within the Middle East and North Africa to help shape the insurance sector's evolution.
Salem al-Mannai, Group CEO of QIC, remarked, "Being the leading insurer in the MENA region and the locomotive of digital innovation regionwide makes us at QIC well-positioned to anticipate the future of insurance." He emphasized the firm's commitment to nurturing disruptive Insurtechs and advancing digital ecosystems within the region. Al-Mannai noted, “Capitalizing on QIC’s extensive experience since 1964, our digital vision will bolster the industry's future.”
During the summit, QIC will host its dedicated pavilion where various units will showcase their latest initiatives, inviting the global tech community to explore their contributions to the insurance future. The booth will feature the Innovation Floor—a unique platform connecting global startups, investors, and corporations eager to seize growth opportunities within the MENA region. Visitors will benefit from QIC’s wealth of experience, thriving on mentorship, investments, and access to regional insurance markets.
Through workshops on corporate innovation and speaker series held across the conference days, attendees will engage with discussions focused on digital ecosystems and investment prospects within the rapidly transforming technology sector. The QIC pavilion promises exciting activations and live demonstrations of their latest digital solutions, geared toward making insurance accessible and consumer-friendly.
With dynamic discussions, inspiring keynotes, and novel innovations on the horizon, Web Summit Qatar 2025 is set to solidify its reputation as the leading platform for tech discussions and entrepreneurial synergies, promising significant contributions to Qatar’s status as a rising global innovation hub.