Doha, November 04, 2026 : Qatar will take part in Web Summit Lisbon 2026 for the fourth consecutive year, with a high-level delegation set to highlight the country's technology, investment and entrepreneurship opportunities at the global event.
The summit will take place in the Portuguese capital from November 9 to 12, bringing together technology leaders, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world.
Qatar's delegation will be led by HE Director of the Government Communications Office and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hosting Web Summit Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani.
The participation comes as Qatar prepares to host the fourth edition of Web Summit Qatar at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center from January 31 to February 3, 2027. The Lisbon event will serve as an opportunity to promote the upcoming Doha edition, showcase the country's business environment and highlight opportunities for startups and investors.
Sheikh Jassim said the participation would strengthen Qatar's engagement with the global technology community and showcase its supportive environment for innovation, entrepreneurship and business expansion. He added that these efforts align with the Third National Development Strategy's objectives of diversifying the economy and advancing innovation and technology for sustainable development.
He also highlighted Qatar's efforts to build on the success of previous summit editions, attract technology companies and investment, and strengthen the country's position as a regional hub for growth and innovation.
Chief Strategy Officer at Invest Qatar Dr. Hamad Rashid Al Nuaimi said Qatar provides startups with an integrated ecosystem combining financing, advanced infrastructure, talent and strategic partnerships to support their establishment and expansion.
He highlighted the Startup Qatar programme, which brings together these resources and opportunities on a single platform. The programme recently received the 2026 United Nations Investment Promotion Award in recognition of its role in attracting investment in the digital economy.
The Qatari delegation will include representatives from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Qatar Investment Authority, Invest Qatar, Qatar Development Bank, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Science and Technology Park, Media City Qatar, Business House, Visit Qatar and the Hayya platform.
Showcasing Qatar's startup ecosystem
Qatar's pavilion, overseen by Invest Qatar through the Startup Qatar programme, will bring together government and semi-government entities involved in technology, investment and entrepreneurship.
The pavilion will highlight the programme's achievements, including more than 10,000 applications received and over USD 100 million in funding provided to more than 50 startups from countries including Italy, Oman, Spain, Singapore, Turkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Participating startups can benefit from incentives such as exemptions from registration and licence renewal fees, subsidized co-working spaces and accommodation, mentorship, and assistance with accessing markets.
The pavilion will also offer on-site guidance on company registration and business establishment procedures in Qatar.
Business House, recently launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will participate for the first time, presenting its company registration and licensing services in the country's economic zones.
Interactive activities will give visitors an opportunity to learn about Qatar's business environment and growth prospects. These will include stories of people who have relocated to Qatar and achieved personal and professional success, as well as an interactive wall showcasing opportunities for companies, entrepreneurs and investors.
Through the "Ask About Qatar" activity, visitors will be able to submit questions on a tablet and receive responses from people based in the country.
Four startups supported by Startup Qatar will also be featured: Growa, which develops AI-powered smart agriculture solutions; Alligator, which creates AI agents for public relations management; Multiverse Computing, which provides secure and cost-effective enterprise AI solutions; and Wellbees, which focuses on workplace well-being and employee health.
Panels and technology workshops
Qatar's participation will include panel discussions and specialised activities covering investment, emerging technologies and business expansion.
Dr. Hamad Rashid Al Nuaimi will speak at a session examining changes in the global growth landscape and emerging opportunities in new markets, while Qatar Investment Authority Director of Qatari Funds Haya Al Ghanim will participate in a discussion on investment trends in innovative technologies and their impact on industries.
Snoonu will deliver a workshop on expanding local products into international markets, while Qatar Science and Technology Park will present a series of workshops showcasing its support programmes for technology companies.
These initiatives include an early-stage startup programme focused on preparing businesses for market entry, a USD 30 million venture capital fund targeting founders based in Qatar, and two accelerators specialising in women's health technology and water technology.
The park also aims to attract eligible European and international startups to its incubation and acceleration programmes, establish their operations in Doha and use Qatar as a base for expansion into regional markets.
Qatar's participation in Web Summit Lisbon 2026 forms part of its wider efforts to strengthen its presence at international technology events, build partnerships with investors and businesses, attract investment and generate interest in Web Summit Qatar 2027.
Source: QNA
