As a major technology hub in the region, the Middle East continues to strengthen its tech sector—even as temperatures drop to 4 degrees Celsius. The Web Summit Qatar, held from February 23 to 26, brought a record-breaking 25,000 participants from around the world, showcasing the local effort to promote entrepreneurship.techand, of course, bring people, investments, and economic diversification to the region.
The content agenda didn’t differ from other Web Summit editions, focusing on startup challenges, investor interests, artificial intelligence, blockchain, SaaS, and B2B remained key topics. The emphasis, of course, shifted: in AI, for example, discussions centered on local capabilities and sovereign AI. However, impact-related content topics fell short, such as the meetup for impact investors, which had only three participants: besides me, a Canadian venture builder and a Swiss investor.
Among the exhibiting startups at Web Summit Qatar, a local company stood out with a scalable CO₂ capture solution using photobioreactor systems that cultivate algae, significantly reducing industrial emissions while improving air quality. Another startup from Bosnia developed an innovative zero-emission chemical waste recycling technology, transforming hazardous waste into high-purity reusable chemical materials for industries like pharmaceuticals and electronics.
Interestingly, most startups selected for the event’s pitch competition semifinals were impact-driven: one developed AI-powered temperature intelligence for hyper-local heat maps and smart urban heat data analysis, offering solutions for urban planning and environmental management; a fintech/edtech aimed at boosting financial literacy among children and teens through experiences, games, and NFC payment wristbands; and another created antimicrobial nanotech additives for ‘active packaging’ that extends shelf life and reduces preservatives and antibiotics—this one, in fact, won the competition.
Through this competition, the judging panel—composed of high-caliber investors from around the world—sent a clear message: we want impact startups. Particularly for those demonstrating a blend of impact, innovation, cutting-edge tech, and scalability, there was no shortage of interest in Doha for discussing investments, partnerships, contracts, and proof-of-concept trials.
The Qatari government and local businesses were exceptionally open to discussing deals. Unlike in Brazil, where decision-makers at corporate booths are heavily guarded and securing a spot on their agenda feels Herculean, there was remarkable accessibility to C-level executives. Even outside networking events, foreigners with solid business propositions were met with warmth.
Thus, Web Summit Qatar 2025 truly served as a locus for investors—including impact investors—to identify opportunities in promising startups, and it was undoubtedly a privileged space for scalable, innovative startups and founders to seek partners.
Highlighting technology and the environment, impact investment stands out at Web Summit Qatar
