Invest Qatar showcases Doha's dynamic startup ecosystem at Web Summit Vancouver

02/06/2025 04:22 AST

Invest Qatar, the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar which recently launched $1bn incentives, took part in the inaugural Web Summit Vancouver, held from May 27 to 30, showcasing the country's welcoming and dynamic startup ecosystem.

The "Startup Qatar" pavilion - a collaborative effort among Invest Qatar and key partners as Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Investment Authority, and Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council - attracted significant attention from attendees and industry leaders.

Highlighting the exclusive advantages and extensive opportunities available to startups and entrepreneurs looking to establish and expand their ventures in Qatar; the pavilion facilitated connections between attendees and key stakeholders in Qatar's startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

It emphasised the country's thriving business environment, multi-sectoral opportunities, and tailored benefits designed to empower ambitious startups and support their long-term growth.

Senior representatives from the Qatar delegation actively engaged in panel discussions and networking sessions, highlighting the country's progress in driving innovation and technological advancement.

Hamad al-Naimi, Strategy Manager at Invest Qatar, participated in a panel "From Seed to Scale: Catalysing Startup Growth in Emerging Tech Hubs", alongside António Dias Martins, chief executive officer of Startup Portugal.

During the discussion, al-Naimi shared insights into the policies and initiatives Qatar is pursuing to strengthen its position as a dynamic hub for innovation and startups.

He also highlighted Qatar's recently launched $1bn incentives programme, aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability and global competitiveness of startups and fintech companies.

The programme focuses on key sectors, including technology, with targeted support for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity and data-driven innovation, to foster a robust digital economy and attract high-impact investments.

The participation at Web Summit Vancouver builds on the significant interest and record success of the "Startup Qatar" initiative during previous international tech events. The initiative, launched ahead of the inaugural Web Summit Qatar, has recorded over 450 business registrations facilitated by QFC and received more than 4,000 applications for the "Startup Qatar Investment Programme" by QDB.

This programme offers funding of up to $500,000 for seed-stage and up to $5mn for growth-stage companies. To date, the programme has awarded $23.5mn in funding to 19 startups from across the world, including Italy, Oman, Singapore, the UK, the US and Turkey. These startups benefit from funding, mentorship and other support services in Qatar's innovation-driven ecosystem.

The "Startup Qatar" initiative is designed to support startups at every stage of their journey, providing innovative one-stop online platform (startupqatar.qa), catering to all business requirements and enabling them to access Qatar's extensive network of support services, opportunities, funding, incubation programmes, government grants, networking events and various other resources.