The Government Communications Office (GCO), Qatar Foundation (QF) and Web Summit hosted Runway to Web Summit Qatar, an introductory event bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs and technology leaders as Qatar prepares to host the third edition of Web Summit Qatar from 1-4 February 2026. The event brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors and experts in technology and innovation from around the world.
Held at Qatar National Library, the event opened with remarks by Rama Chakaki, President of Qatar Science & Technology Park, a member of QF, who affirmed that QF sits at the heart of the country’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy. She noted that QF’s data assets and strategic partnerships are key drivers for the future of artificial intelligence, describing data as “the new gold” for developing advanced AI models capable of transforming health, education and sustainability.
“As we welcome the Web Summit, I invite you to imagine three transformations and reflect on Qatar Foundation’s values. Imagine technologies that are built for the service of humanity. Imagine the future Zuckerberg and Musk to look like you and me, and to be the disruptors of the region and the world. Imagine the next generation of VCs and the Silicon Valley that nurtures them to be right here from this region, building our own AI and Silicon Valley. And lastly, imagine transforming our region from the largest consumers of social media, software and hardware to become the producers and the economic drivers of the global AI and digital economy.”
Rama Chakaki, President of QSTP
Alreem Khalfan Al Kaabi, Web Summit Qatar Host Country Lead at the GCO, delivered opening remarks highlighting the importance of partnering with Web Summit as a strategic platform for showcasing Qatar’s capabilities and efforts to advance the national innovation ecosystem. She noted that the summit has strengthened the competitiveness of startups, enabled them to enter new markets and helped create a business environment that attracts investment, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030 and its goals for a diversified and sustainable economy.
She said: “We are proud of our growing partnership with Web Summit. From the very beginning, this partnership has proven to be a powerful driver of Qatar’s growth as a global hub of innovation. Web Summit has always been a place where ideas are born, where entrepreneurs connect and where new opportunities are created. Every year, we see more startups choosing Qatar, engaging with its ecosystem and becoming part of this momentum.”
Dima Wahbeh, Deputy Country Manager at Web Summit, delivered an overview of the preparatory events leading up to the summit and outlined the key themes of the upcoming edition. She affirmed that Doha has become a primary destination for innovators and entrepreneurs from the region and the world, and that these events represent an important step in strengthening Qatar’s position as a global centre for technology and entrepreneurship.
She noted that the third edition of Web Summit Qatar will be the largest to date, with more than 30,000 participants, including technology leaders, investors, founders, policymakers and media representatives. She added that the event will host more than 1,500 startups, with a marked rise in Qatari and regional participation, as well as more than 700 investors from international and regional venture capital firms.
The program included a panel discussion on the success story of Snoonu, the first Qatar-based technology startup to surpass a valuation of one billion riyals. The discussion featured Hamad Al Hajri, Founder and CEO of Snoonu, alongside Sean Curtin, from Web Summit team. The session explored the company’s growth journey, investor engagement strategies, service expansion plans and the role of innovation in advancing Qatar’s logistics and e-commerce sectors.
Al Hajri explained that Snoonu’s vision is built on developing a comprehensive platform that enables consumers and business owners to fulfil their potential. He noted that the company is preparing to announce four new services at the upcoming Web Summit and emphasised that true innovation must address the needs of consumers, business owners and logistics partners alike through an integrated ecosystem he described as a “golden triangle” that delivers sustainable value for all stakeholders.
The event also featured a panel discussion, marking the 10-year anniversary of Web Summit’s Women in Tech programme, which aims to bring more visibility to women in tech and support progress toward greater equality. Participants included Rama Chakaki; Ghadir Mahgoub, Director of Investments at Alchemist Doha; Reema Al Kuwari, Founder of Adeer; and Nouka Puriël, Founder of WeAre WEAR. The session was moderated by Leila Hamira, Executive Producer and Journalist at Euronews.
The discussion reviewed the participants’ experiences in establishing startups capable of attracting investment and scaling their operations, as well as the lessons learned from their involvement in Web Summit Qatar and the opportunities it created to engage with investors and explore global best practices. The session also highlighted the expanding role of women in leading the technology sector and their contribution to strengthening the national innovation ecosystem as essential partners in driving Qatar’s digital transformation.
The event concluded with a visual presentation on preparations for Web Summit Qatar 2026, followed by an extended networking session that enabled participants to exchange insights, deepen partnerships and explore opportunities for collaboration between startups and investors, supporting the growth of the technology sector and the wider innovation ecosystem in the country.
The event reaffirms Qatar’s readiness to host an exceptional edition of Web Summit Qatar, reinforcing the country’s regional and global position as a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship, and as a key supporter of companies seeking growth. It also underscores Qatar’s commitment to providing an advanced environment that propels talent and technology toward new horizons, in line with the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030 to build a resilient, knowledge-based economy.
Source: GCO Qatar
