Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Sunday inaugurated the third edition of Web Summit Qatar at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, reaffirming Qatar’s commitment to shaping the future of global innovation through strong partnerships and a dynamic startup ecosystem.

In his keynote address, the Prime Minister highlighted the rapid pace of technological change, noting the surge in global R&D spending and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. He announced the launch of QAI, Qatar’s national artificial intelligence company, aimed at delivering sovereign AI infrastructure and software while supporting innovation locally and globally.

The Prime Minister also unveiled a major expansion of support for startups and venture capital, including an additional $2 billion for Qatar Investment Authority’s Fund of Funds programme. He further announced enhanced startup incentives, extended entrepreneurship programmes, and a new 10-year residency initiative to attract founders, investors, and senior executives to Qatar.

Founder and CEO of Web Summit Paddy Cosgrave said the event reflects a shifting global tech landscape, with participation from more than 120 countries. Web Summit Qatar 2026 brings together over 30,000 participants, 1,600 startups, and nearly 1,000 investors, cementing Doha’s position as a growing global hub for technology, innovation, and cross-border collaboration