Held for the first time in the Middle East, the tech conference aims to connect global entrepreneurs with investors.
Doha, Qatar – Entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders gathered under bright lights in central Doha on Monday as Web Summit, one of the world’s largest technology conferences, opened in Qatar’s capital. This is the first time the event is being held in the Middle East, drawing participants from numerous countries who hope to forge new connections, exchange ideas, and secure funding over the next four days.
Qatar’s Investment Commitment
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani kicked off the event by announcing that the country’s sovereign wealth fund would invest more than $1bn in international and regional venture capital funds. The “Fund of Funds” initiative aims to drive innovation by attracting top global venture capital funds and entrepreneurs to Qatar and the Gulf region. This commitment reflects Qatar’s ambition to position itself as a regional IT hub. Al Thani highlighted Qatar’s ongoing dedication to technological progress and its dynamic community of creators, making it an ideal venue for Web Summit.
AI in Focus at Web Summit
Artificial intelligence (AI) takes the spotlight at this year’s conference, marking the largest gathering of international start-ups in the Middle East during a time of geopolitical tension, notably the ongoing war in Gaza. Amjad Masad, founder of Replit, an online programming community, expressed his passion for technology while acknowledging the complex realities of the situation. “Technology can be a force for good, but you can’t eat AI,” Masad remarked, drawing applause from the audience.
Trevor Noah Joins as Headlining Speaker
Former “Daily Show” host Trevor Noah headlined the first day of the summit. Despite being widely known for his comedic career, Noah has a strong presence in the tech world and serves as Microsoft’s “Chief Questions Officer.” His role involves hosting a series exploring how AI is addressing global challenges. At the summit, Noah shared his thoughts on the evolving relationship between humans and technology, emphasizing the need to reconsider what AI’s impact on humanity truly means.
Networking and Global Collaboration
As more speakers took to the stage, entrepreneurs and investors from around the world began forging new partnerships at the sold-out event, with QR code scans replacing traditional business cards. Over the next few days, Doha’s Exhibition and Convention Center is set to be a hotspot for innovation and networking. The summit also features “impact start-ups” focused on using technology to advance healthcare and sustainability.
Global Start-ups Seeking Investment
Heidi Rus, managing director of Everest, a U.S.-based company, is hoping to secure funding for a water plant project in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Alex Chernenko, CEO of Translit, an AI-based translation start-up, is attending to discuss the future of communication and how AI can overcome language barriers.
A Full-Circle Moment for Arezu Aghasey
Arezu Aghasey, now with Crea, a venture capital firm from San Francisco, returned to the Web Summit after a decade. She previously attended as a scholar and now scouts start-ups to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and the MENA region. “I’m focusing on identifying start-ups in the MENA region and helping bring them to Silicon Valley, and vice versa,” Aghasey said, emphasizing the importance of building a “globalization bridge” between the two regions.
