DOHA PREPARES TO HOST WEB SUMMIT QATAR 2026

Doha is set to host the third edition of Web Summit Qatar from February 1 to February 4, 2026, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). The event is projected to be the region’s largest technology gathering yet, drawing unprecedented global participation and reinforcing Qatar’s ambitions to become a major centre for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Participation and Scale

Organisers expect the 2026 summit to attract around 30,000 attendees from over 120 countries, including more than 1,500 startups, 700 investors, 350 international speakers, and 600 media representatives. This represents a significant expansion in scale compared to previous editions.

Official planning began with a strategic meeting in Dublin in June 2025, where Qatar’s Web Summit Organising Committee and Web Summit leadership reviewed outcomes from the 2025 edition and set priorities for 2026. That preparatory meeting highlighted efforts to enhance content quality, expand international participation, and maximise the event’s economic and cultural impact.

Saudi Arabia and other international partners have reportedly engaged with the summit, and over 130 global corporate partners - including Snapchat, Amazon, Vodafone and Dell - have confirmed their involvement. This level of corporate backing highlights broad industry interest and confidence in the summit’s global relevance.

Iran also backs knowledge-based startups at Web Summit Qatar 2026 to boost tech exports and foster international partnerships across emerging digital sectors.

Iranian Tech Leaders at the Summit

This year’s summit will feature several notable Iranian founders and executives as speakers, including:

Dan Vahdat, founder and CEO of Huma, a London-based digital health and AI company. Huma integrates health data from clinical systems and mobile devices to support doctors, care delivery, and research globally. Its disease-agnostic cloud platform is used by health systems and research organizations worldwide to improve outcomes and accelerate digital-first care models.

Ramin Beheshti, co-founder and CEO of Caliber, a media and content company that unites creator-led news and culture brands like The News Movement, The Recount, and Capsule.

Yalda Aoukar, co-founder and Managing Partner of Bracket Capital, a global investment firm focused on growth and later-stage technology companies. She also chairs the Bracket Foundation, applying technology to social impact initiatives, including child online safety programs.

Themes and Opportunities

Web Summit Qatar functions as a central forum for discussion on digital transformation, emerging technologies, investment and entrepreneurship. Topics expected to feature prominently at the 2026 event include artificial intelligence (AI), fintech, healthtech and innovation ecosystems that are central to future economic growth. The summit is positioned as a launchpad for startups seeking funding, partnerships and market expansion.

Organisers have also emphasised targeted initiatives such as the Web Summit Creator Programme, designed to connect digital content creators with the broader technology ecosystem and elevate global creative voices. Additional promotional events like “Runway to Web Summit Qatar” aim to highlight national success stories and further integrate local entrepreneurs into the summit’s narrative.

Strategic Significance

Officials state that hosting Web Summit Qatar aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, which focuses on economic diversification and building a knowledge-based economy. The event supports these goals by attracting global talent, fostering technological partnerships and positioning Doha as a key hub for innovation in the Middle East.

Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, Director of Qatar’s Government Communications Office and Chairman of the Web Summit Organising Committee, has reiterated that this summit serves as a strategic platform for connecting entrepreneurs, investors and governments in the global tech community.

Logistics and Access

Web Summit Qatar 2026 will run daily from morning to late afternoon, with a full programme of keynote talks, panel discussions, masterclasses and exhibitions. Official travel packages linking flight, accommodation and summit access are available through partners such as Qatar Airways Holidays.