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Excitement is mingling with skepticism as Chinese tech companies that hope to be seen as "the next DeepSeek" roll out one artificial intelligence breakthrough after another.
In one of the most recent examples, early access codes for Manus AI are reportedly changing hands for thousands of dollars amid a frenzy of online interest in the app.
The company, also called Manus AI, released a demo video on March 5 claiming the world's "first general AI agent" can do everything from screening resumes to researching real estate and analyzing stocks.
"This isn't just another chatbot or workflow. It's a truly autonomous agent that bridges the gap between conception and execution. While other AI stops at generating ideas, Manus delivers results," Ji Yichao, co-founder and chief scientist of Manus AI, said in the video.
"We see it as the next paradigm of human-machine collaboration, and potentially a glimpse into AGI," Ji added, referring to the yet-unrealized concept of artificial general intelligence (AGI) in which AI achieves human-level cognitive abilities.
The company also claims Manus surpassed ChatGPT developer OpenAI's models across all three difficulty levels in the GAIA benchmark, which assesses general AI assistants on their real-world problem-solving capabilities.
"This wouldn't be possible without the amazing open-source community. … Manus operates as a multi-agent system powered by several distinct models, so later this year, we're going to open-source some of these models, specifically post-trained for Manus, inviting everyone to explore this agentic future together," Ji said.
The app is not yet publicly available as it requires an invitation code to use, but it quickly took the Chinese internet by storm after a number of tech influencers who were given early access shared their impressions of the agent. The official website crashed due to a surge in traffic, and invitation codes became so scarce that some were reportedly being resold online for as much as RMB 50,000 (USD 7,000).
After the launch, many Chinese media outlets began referring to Manus AI as "the next DeepSeek."
Compared with the frenzy in China, the overseas reception to the app has been lukewarm, even though both its website and the demo video are in fluent English. Its video on YouTube has generated around 28,000 views as of Friday morning, while its X account is tentatively suspended over "rule violation."
However, the sudden popularity of the app has also triggered skepticism as only a handful of users have experienced it firsthand. Some critics argue that the so-called DeepSeek moment for AI applications is just little more than a "marketing frenzy" based on hype surrounding open-source models.
"The core technology of Manus is its ability to automatically deploy different tools and models, something other companies haven't achieved," said an AI engineer not related to the company and who asked not to be named. "Manus claims its accuracy is very high, while the industry standard for accuracy is actually quite low."
The engineer expressed skepticism, however, about the uniqueness of Manus' achievement and compared it to foreign competitors like Anthropic's Claude Computer Use. He also pointed to the fevered atmosphere around the country's AI industry.
"It feels like the AI industry right now is all about China's rise, so whenever something AI-related comes up, people immediately start hyping it up. I'm worried this might disrupt normal development, though of course, appropriate encouragement is also important."
Under mounting public pressure, Manus AI partner Zhang Tao said on March 6 that the company "has never allocated any budget for marketing" and that the invite-only system was implemented purely due to "server capacity limitations."
Manus AI is not the only company looking to follow in the footsteps of startup DeepSeek, which took the tech world by storm in late January when it unveiled low-cost inference models based on open-source technology.
On March 6, Alibaba Group released its own open-source AI reasoning model, dubbed QwQ-32B, saying it outperforms DeepSeek's R1 in areas such as mathematics, coding, and general problem-solving, despite its relatively modest 32 billion parameters. A larger number of parameters generally means a more capable technology, but it also requires more computing power. In comparison, DeepSeek's R1 boasts 671 billion parameters.
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Whether claims like these turn out to be hype or reality, Beijing is throwing its weight behind the sector, too, in an apparent hope that advances in AI and other technologies can boost the economy amid curbs from the West. On March 5, Chinese premier Li Qiang vowed in his annual government work report that authorities will continue to support research and development in core technology for key fields and increase funding for fostering futuristic technologies such as embodied AI this year.
Investors, seizing on Beijing's promises of policy support and announcements by companies like Manus and Alibaba, have piled into AI-related shares, pushing the Hang Seng Tech Index to its highest level since late 2021 on March 7.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/The-next-DeepSeek-Startup-Manus-becomes-China-s-latest-AI-darling">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.

The next DeepSeek? Startup Manus becomes China's latest AI darling

East Asia

Artificial Intelligence

Deep Tech

Artificial intelligence

… simulation, Tripo aims to simplify the creation of immersive environments, bridging the gap between static assets and interactive worlds.
And the impact of AI extends far beyond digital entertainment.
In a designer toy factory in Dongguan, China, handdrawn sketches are now converted directly into 3D-printable files using Tripo’s API. A process that once took two months now takes just three days—with AI even optimizing designs for structural integrity.
Meanwhile, fashion design platform Look has been using AI since 2023 to transform sketches into 3D clothing models. The system automatically refines fabric textures, adjusts materials, and adapts how outfits drape on different body types.
<figure id="attachment_152232" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152232" style="width: 720px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-152232" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Tripo-AI-3D-Model-1-1024x512.jpg" alt="Photo of a 3D model produced using a design generated by Tripo." width="720" height="360" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Tripo-AI-3D-Model-1-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Tripo-AI-3D-Model-1-300x150.jpg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Tripo-AI-3D-Model-1-768x384.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Tripo-AI-3D-Model-1.jpg 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-152232" class="wp-caption-text">Photo of a 3D model produced using a design generated by Tripo. Photo source: 36Kr.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>New frontier for digital creation</h3>
From Where Winds Meet’s AI-driven world-building to indie developers crafting entire games in hours, AI is reshaping the creative landscape. But as these tools become more powerful, they also raise new questions about the relationship between imagination and reality—especially now that nearly anyone can build hyper-realistic virtual worlds with minimal effort.
This shift is both technological and cultural. AI is democratizing content creation, lowering the barrier for individuals to bring their ideas to life. And the effects are already rippling across industries:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Game development: Over 200 games on Steam now integrate AI-generated content.</li>
<li aria-level="1">3D printing: On Taobao, 45% of new 3D print orders are for game-related models.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Film production: Studios are starting to source AI-assisted player creations for digital assets.</li>
</ul>
As the line between virtual and real continues to blur, the question isn’t just what AI can create—it’s what we choose to do with it. The future of digital creativity won’t be defined by AI alone, but by the people who wield it.
Or, as Tripo’s founder Song Yachen put it:
<blockquote>"We’re not just teaching AI to generate models—we’re unlocking the imagination of an entire generation."</blockquote>
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3192960825090690">article</a> was written by Liu Shiwu for 36Kr.

AI-powered tools like Tripo could make game development faster, smarter, and more creative

Gaming

Creative

<a href="/company/baidu">Baidu</a> has launched Ernie 4.5, its latest multimodal foundation model, and Ernie X1, a deep-thinking reasoning model, making both available for free via Ernie Bot.
The move underscores Baidu’s push to undercut <a href="/company/openai">OpenAI</a> and <a href="/company/deepseek">DeepSeek</a> with low-cost, high-performance AI alternatives. Ernie 4.5, a native multimodal model, processes text, images, audio, and video, with improved logical reasoning, memory, and reduced hallucinations. Baidu claims it outperforms GPT-4.5 while costing just 1% of its price.
Ernie X1, designed for complex reasoning and tool use, supports advanced search, document Q&amp;A, image generation, and code interpretation. Baidu has positioned it as a cheaper alternative to DeepSeek R1, offering similar performance at half the price.
Baidu’s latest models mark a shift toward high-performance AI at significantly lower costs. Ernie 4.5’s token pricing starts at RMB 0.004 (USD 0.00056) per 1,000 tokens for input and RMB 0.016 (USD 0.0022) for output, well below OpenAI’s GPT-4.5. Ernie X1 costs even less, starting at RMB 0.002 (USD 0.00028) for input and RMB 0.008 (USD 0.0011) for output.
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Beyond pricing, Baidu has made technical refinements in both models.
Ernie 4.5 integrates FlashMask dynamic attention masking for improved accuracy, a heterogeneous multimodal mixture-of-experts (MoE) for optimized reasoning, and a self-feedback enhanced post-training process to reduce hallucinations.
Ernie X1, meanwhile, incorporates a progressive reinforcement learning method and an end-to-end training approach, improving structured reasoning and problem-solving.
The launch of Ernie 4.5 and X1 sets the stage for Ernie Bot 5.0, which Baidu plans to release by mid-2025. The company has been iterating rapidly, bringing new models to market in quick succession. Ernie Bot made its <a href="https://kr-asia.com/baidus-ernie-bot-among-eight-chinese-llm-products-approved-for-public-launch">public debut</a> in August 2023, making Baidu one of the earliest Chinese firms to introduce an AI chatbot in response to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. <a href="https://kr-asia.com/baidu-claims-its-latest-ai-model-ernie-4-0-is-on-par-with-openais-gpt-4">Ernie 4.0</a> arrived in October 2023, claiming parity with GPT-4, followed by <a href="https://kr-asia.com/baidu-deepens-foothold-in-chinese-ai-market-with-ernie-4-0-upgrade">Ernie 4.0 Turbo</a> in June 2024, which reportedly improved response speeds and expanded API availability.

Baidu slashes AI costs with Ernie 4.5 and X1, taking on OpenAI and DeepSeek

… crystals and specialty ceramics, key materials in optical isolators and circulators used in optical communications. —<a href="https://36kr.com/p/3201246543281794">36Kr</a></li>
</ul>
whereRelatedArticle
<h3>Elevarm, Shoppable, SpaceIn, and more made recent headlines:</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://elevarm.com/">Elevarm</a>, an Indonesia-based agritech company, raised USD 4.25 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Intudo Ventures. Existing investors Insignia Ventures Partners and 500 Global also participated.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://shoppable.ph/">Shoppable</a>, a supply chain technology startup, raised USD 1.16 million in a seed round led by Ignite House of Innovation. Other investors include Tenco Capital, Indelible Ventures, ApolloTech Ventures, the Manila Angel Investors Network, Seaborne Capital Partners, and Select Ventures Holding.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://spacein.com.my/">SpaceIn</a>, a Malaysian space tech company, secured an investment from 1337 Ventures. The financial details were not disclosed.</li>
</ul>
If there are any news or updates you'd like us to feature, get in touch with us at: <a href="mailto:hello@kr-asia.com">hello@kr-asia.com</a>.
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Deals in brief: Binance secures investment from MGX, Amber International debuts on Nasdaq, latest China deals, and more

Venture Capital

Private Equity

Investment

Merger &amp; Acquisition

Hong Kong

Artificial intelligence is evolving into a driving force behind global innovation, transforming industries like healthcare, finance, and logistics while powering everyday digital interactions. With rapid advancements in large language models, generative AI, and cloud computing, companies are increasingly adopting AI-driven solutions to enhance efficiency and unlock new possibilities.
With Southeast Asia earmarked as a hub for AI adoption, the demand for collaborative platforms is growing. In response, <a href="/company/alibaba-cloud">Alibaba Cloud</a> is set to host a two-day AI hackathon in Singapore, aiming to fuel innovation and deepen its footprint in the region’s expanding AI ecosystem.
Set for April 10–11, the competition will be held in person at Alibaba Cloud’s international headquarters at Lazada One. Developers, startups, and AI enthusiasts will be challenged to build solutions using the company’s cloud-based tools and proprietary AI models. Participants will have access to Model Studio, a generative AI platform; Platform for AI (PAI), a machine learning development tool; Elastic Compute Service, which offers secure, high-performance virtual cloud servers; as well as Qwen (also known as Tongyi Qianwen), Alibaba’s large language model, and Wan, a visual generation model.
This event is part of Alibaba Cloud’s “Global AI Hackathon” series and aims to tap into Singapore’s deep pool of tech talent to address challenges across industries such as finance, healthcare, smart cities, and sustainability. It builds on <a href="https://kr-asia.com/alibaba-cloud-ignites-ai-innovation-in-singapore-with-recent-hackathon">last year’s inaugural edition</a>, which drew 117 participants who formed 21 competing teams.
<figure id="attachment_147982" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-147982" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-147982 size-large" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Alibaba-Cloud-Hackathon-4-1024x683.jpg" alt="Photo of participants at Alibaba Cloud’s 2024 AI hackathon in Singapore." width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Alibaba-Cloud-Hackathon-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Alibaba-Cloud-Hackathon-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Alibaba-Cloud-Hackathon-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Alibaba-Cloud-Hackathon-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Alibaba-Cloud-Hackathon-4.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-147982" class="wp-caption-text">Photo of participants at Alibaba Cloud’s <a href="https://kr-asia.com/alibaba-cloud-ignites-ai-innovation-in-singapore-with-recent-hackathon">2024 AI hackathon in Singapore</a>, courtesy of the company.</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Prizes and incentives</h3>
The hackathon offers a prize pool exceeding USD 30,000, including cash awards and cloud credits.
The winning team will receive SGD 10,000 (USD 7,500) in cash and USD 10,000 in Alibaba Cloud credits, along with opportunities for global exposure facilitated by Alibaba Cloud. Second- and third-place teams will also receive similar prizes.
<h3>Hackathon format and details</h3>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Registration deadline: April 3, 11:59 p.m. (GMT+8).</li>
<li aria-level="1">Online briefing: April 8, covering essential details and guidance. Details to be announced.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Participation requirements: Participants must sign up with an Alibaba Cloud individual account and add a payment method to receive cloud credits for hackathon use.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Team structure: Open to individuals or teams of up to four members. Teams can be formed in advance or during the event.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Judging criteria</h3>
Submissions will be evaluated on April 11 based on the following:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Innovation and creativity: Originality and the novel application of AI technology.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Technical implementation: The robustness, scalability, and effectiveness of the solution, including adherence to AI best practices, ethical design, and data security.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Impact: Potential for commercial or social impact, market viability, scalability, and contributions to the public good.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Presentation and pitch: Clarity and effectiveness in communicating the team’s ideas to the judges.</li>
</ul>
The hackathon offers a chance to bring AI-driven ideas to life, collaborate with top talent, and compete for exciting prizes. For startups, it’s an opportunity to showcase capabilities, gain exposure, and potentially attract investment or partnership opportunities.
Interested in participating? Find more details on the <a href="https://www.alibabacloud.com/en/developer/ai-hackathon-sg-2025">official website</a> and <a href="https://forms.kr-asia.com/ac-sg-ai-hackathon-2025?utm_source=krasia&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=article">sign up here</a>.
<a href="https://forms.kr-asia.com/ac-sg-ai-hackathon-2025?utm_source=krasia&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=article"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-152223 size-large" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Alibaba-Cloud-AI-Hackathon-Singapore-2025-Banner-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Alibaba-Cloud-AI-Hackathon-Singapore-2025-Banner-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Alibaba-Cloud-AI-Hackathon-Singapore-2025-Banner-300x169.jpg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Alibaba-Cloud-AI-Hackathon-Singapore-2025-Banner-768x432.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Alibaba-Cloud-AI-Hackathon-Singapore-2025-Banner-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Alibaba-Cloud-AI-Hackathon-Singapore-2025-Banner-480x270.jpg 480w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Alibaba-Cloud-AI-Hackathon-Singapore-2025-Banner.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a>
This article was published in partnership with Alibaba Cloud.

AI builders wanted: Alibaba Cloud’s Singapore hackathon is now open for entries

Alibaba Cloud

Singapore

… href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/China-hits-US-farm-goods-just-as-Trump-s-latest-tariff-kicks-in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prompting retaliation</a>, some US lawmakers have expressed concern that China could use Musk's business interests to influence Trump's policies.
The Chinese "absolutely see him as an asset to them in any kind of negotiations, a way to bypass [secretary of state Marco] Rubio, a way to bypass [national security adviser Mike] Waltz, a way to bypass those whom they see to be less friendly to them on their issues," said Democratic representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois at a recent Brookings event. John Moolenaar, a Republican who co-chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party with Krishnamoorthi, expressed similar reservations.
Conversely, Gaogong's Lu warned that intensifying geopolitical tensions between the superpowers could lead to new restrictions on robotics cooperation, even including "export of high-end Optimus robots to China."
"Additionally, humanoid robots handle large amounts of data, which could lead to a potential ban on Chinese humanoid robots entering the US market, too," Lu said.
"It is a very complicated issue, which involves US domestic politics, US-China tensions, and business competition," Lu conceded. He added that if the US were to further curb China's access to high-end technologies, Chinese companies might be forced to accelerate innovation and narrow the gap with global leaders, just like China's breakthroughs in AI chips and large language models, like those <a title="" href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Tech-Asia/China-races-to-govern-the-country-with-DeepSeek-but-at-what-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">produced by DeepSeek</a>.
This article first appeared on <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/China-tech/Elon-Musk-and-China-chase-humanoid-dreams-with-echoes-of-EV-buildup">Nikkei Asia</a>. It has been republished here as part of 36Kr’s ongoing partnership with <a href="https://www.kr-asia.com/nikkei-teams-up-with-36kr-in-asia-tech-news-coverage/">Nikkei</a>.

Elon Musk and China chase humanoid dreams with echoes of EV buildup

Tesla

Transportation

Electric Vehicles

Robotics

Mobility

… Xiaohongshu alone, over 80,000 posts have tagged the Pocket 3 as a “vlogging essential,” spanning travel videos, daily life recordings, product reviews, and more.
<figure id="attachment_152143" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152143" style="width: 332px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-152143" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DJI-Osmo-Pocket-3-Xiaohongshu-Reviews-531x1024.jpg" alt="" width="332" height="640" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DJI-Osmo-Pocket-3-Xiaohongshu-Reviews-531x1024.jpg 531w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DJI-Osmo-Pocket-3-Xiaohongshu-Reviews-156x300.jpg 156w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DJI-Osmo-Pocket-3-Xiaohongshu-Reviews.jpg 560w" sizes="(max-width: 332px) 100vw, 332px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-152143" class="wp-caption-text">Many content creators have shared their experiences with the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 on platforms like Xiaohongshu.</figcaption></figure>
Vlogging itself isn’t new, but it was once limited to influencers and celebrities. Now, as brands lower the entry barrier, it has become an everyday activity. This surge in consumer interest has also sparked anti-consumerist debates, with some questioning whether high-end cameras are truly necessary for casual content creation.
For camera makers, there’s little choice but to adapt. As vlogging cameras gain traction over professional models, investing in consumer-friendly designs has become critical to competing with smartphones.
DJI, through its Pocket series, has secured a strong position in handheld consumer cameras. The Pocket 3 is strategically priced between action cameras and digital cameras, forcing buyers to reconsider their price expectations.
Action cameras like the DJI Osmo Action series, Insta360, and GoPro range from RMB 2,000–3,000 (USD 280–420), targeting outdoor sports enthusiasts. Meanwhile, vlogging-friendly digital cameras—such as the Sony ZV-E10, Canon EOS R50, and Nikon Z30—start at RMB 4,000 (USD 560) and come with a steeper learning curve.
At RMB 3,499 (USD 489.9), the Pocket 3 sits in a unique pricing category—more versatile than an action cam, yet more accessible than a digital camera.
For a product launched over a year ago, its sustained popularity is telling. Even in a sluggish economy, entertainment tech finds room to thrive. The real challenge lies in knowing when to invest in a winning product and sticking to that conviction long enough to push past the threshold of mass adoption.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3191660720398726">article</a> was written by Hu Yiting for 36Kr.

DJI’s Pocket 3 is selling out faster than it can restock—here’s why

Short Video

Live Streaming

Video

Content

… another round of price wars. But whether the frontend warehouse model can sustain profitability in the long run remains uncertain.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This <a href="https://36kr.com/p/3200188430352000">article</a> was written by Xie Yunzi for 36Kr.

JD.com’s 7Fresh ramps up warehouse store expansion in key cities

JD.com

On-demand Services

E-commerce

Grocery Delivery

Retail

Consumer Services

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. <a href="https://startupqatar.qa/en">Startup Qatar</a>, 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.
<figure id="attachment_152181" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-152181" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-152181" src="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Web-Summit-Qatar-2025-Startup-Qatar-Invest-Qatar-1024x683.jpg" alt="Photo of the Startup Qatar pavilion at Web Summit Qater 2025." width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Web-Summit-Qatar-2025-Startup-Qatar-Invest-Qatar-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Web-Summit-Qatar-2025-Startup-Qatar-Invest-Qatar-300x200.jpg 300w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Web-Summit-Qatar-2025-Startup-Qatar-Invest-Qatar-768x512.jpg 768w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Web-Summit-Qatar-2025-Startup-Qatar-Invest-Qatar-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://console.kr-asia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Web-Summit-Qatar-2025-Startup-Qatar-Invest-Qatar.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-152181" class="wp-caption-text">One of this year’s Web Summit highlights was the return of the Startup Qatar pavilion, providing attendees with a platform to connect with Qatari stakeholders and explore opportunities in the emirate.</figcaption></figure>
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:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Kingdee, an enterprise software provider, has officially established its regional headquarters in Qatar, positioning it as a bridge to the wider MENA market.</li>
<li aria-level="1">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.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Uisee, an autonomous driving company, has set up an R&amp;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.</li>
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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.

From World Cup to Web Summit: Qatar strengthens its global business appeal

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