The second edition of Web Summit Qatar wrapped up on February 26, drawing a record 25,700 attendees to the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center. That’s an increase of more than 10,000 from last year, reinforcing the summit’s role as a global platform connecting leaders across technology, media, and government.
In the opening speech, Paddy Cosgrave, founder and CEO of Web Summit, called Qatar “a gateway not just to the Middle East, but to the world.” Cosgrave added that the experience of hosting Web Summit Qatar had been “beyond anything that [they] could have expected or planned for.”
Qatar and its neighbors on the Arabian Peninsula are actively shaping their economies to attract international business, countering global economic headwinds with diversified growth strategies. But ambition alone doesn’t draw enterprises. The key lies in offering well-developed infrastructure, stable and open policies, strong market opportunities, and a business-friendly environment. These factors serve as a more tangible invitation for companies looking to expand.
From hosting the FIFA World Cup to organizing Web Summit, Qatar has been making bold moves to cement its position as a business hub. The country is set to host Web Summit annually until 2028, further solidifying its status as a regional technology and investment center.
According to event organizers, this year’s summit brought together 723 investors and 1,520 startups. Estimates suggest that the number of exhibiting startups rose by 45%, while participation from Qatari startups surged by 140%. Beyond the summit floor, approximately 1,634 companies registered to establish offices in Qatar, with 156 securing business licenses during the event.
The surge in startup interest has been partly driven by the return of the Startup Qatar pavilion, a platform hosted by Invest Qatar to highlight its namesake initiative. Startup Qatar, the broader program, aims to attract tech startups to Qatar by offering funding, incentives, and other forms of support to help companies establish a foothold in the region.
Qatar’s policies offer strong incentives for foreign businesses. The country permits 100% foreign ownership, has no import duties, and provides exemptions for both corporate and personal income tax. Business registration and licensing have also been streamlined to facilitate easier market entry.
During this year’s Web Summit, the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) announced additional incentives, including a four-year waiver on registration fees and tax exemptions for companies registering at the event. To further simplify business operations, QFC partnered with Qatar National Bank and Dukhan Bank to offer instant business account setup.
As Chinese enterprises expand globally, more are looking to Qatar as a strategic gateway to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Several companies unveiled new ventures at the summit:
- Kingdee, an enterprise software provider, has officially established its regional headquarters in Qatar, positioning it as a bridge to the wider MENA market.
- Yutong, which supplied electric buses for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is building a 50,000-square-meter bus assembly plant in the Umm Al Houl Free Zone. The plant, with an initial annual capacity of 300 buses, supports Qatar’s goal of transitioning to 100% electric public transport by 2030.
- Uisee, an autonomous driving company, has set up an R&D and operations center at the Qatar Science and Technology Park. Earlier this year, Uisee partnered with Qatar Aviation Services and Qatar Airways to launch autonomous airport vehicle trials at Hamad International Airport.
Web Summit Qatar 2025 has also garnered significant international attention. Official data indicates that around 700 media outlets covered the event, including WSJ, Reuters, and Al Jazeera, among others. Major investors such as Greycroft, 500 Global, and Peak XV also participated.
Reflecting the long-term impact of the summit, early-stage startups that attended its inaugural edition last year have collectively raised USD 120 million in funding over the past year.
With strong capital flows and a business-friendly environment, Qatar is positioning itself as a prime destination for international expansion. For Chinese enterprises, it presents an opportunity to compete on a global stage, testing their strategies in a region that is rapidly evolving into a critical business hub.