Web Summit Qatar 2026 opened in Doha on Sunday, bringing together tens of thousands of founders, investors, policymakers and technology leaders from around the world.
The event, held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, is hosting more than 1,600 startups and nearly 1,000 investors from 127 countries. Organisers say attendance has doubled in two years, highlighting Doha’s growing role in the global tech ecosystem.
Discussions this week will focus on artificial intelligence, climate technology, quantum computing, tech geopolitics and the creator economy, as countries and companies compete for technological leadership.
Qatar is using the summit to position itself as a key connector between Europe, Asia and the Global South, reinforcing Doha’s ambitions as a hub where technology, politics and business intersect.
Major global companies including TikTok, Google Cloud, IBM, Figma, Amazon and Snapchat have set up interactive booths showcasing tools in AI, robotics and cloud technology. Qatar-based firms such as Qatar Airways, Ooredoo, talabat, Snoonu, PayLater and Qatar Science & Technology Park are also presenting products, highlighting efforts to build a more diversified domestic tech ecosystem.
The summit features 14 thematic tracks addressing issues shaping global innovation, including AI governance, clean energy transitions, health technology, robotics and the future of sport. Dedicated spaces for investors, startups, mentors and women in tech are designed to drive partnerships and commercial activity.
Night Summit events and large networking zones are expected to host thousands of meetings between founders and investors, as organisers push to position Doha as a gateway for companies seeking expansion across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
As Web Summit Qatar 2026 gets under way, technology is being framed not just as an economic engine, but as a central force in geopolitical competition with growing implications for global power, policy and leadership.
