Doha, November 03 (QNA) - The State of Qatar will participate for the fourth consecutive year in Web Summit Lisbon 2026, to be held in the Portuguese capital from November 9 to 12, bringing together leading technology figures, investors and entrepreneurs from around the world. 
Qatar will be represented by a high-level delegation headed by HE Director of the Government Communications Office and Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Hosting Web Summit Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani. 
Qatar's participation comes as preparations continue to host the fourth edition of Web Summit Qatar at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center from January 31 to February 3, 2027.
The Lisbon event will provide a platform to showcase Qatar's business and investment environment, highlight opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs, and promote the upcoming edition in Doha. 
HE Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al-Thani said Qatar's participation in Web Summit Lisbon offers an opportunity to engage with the global technology community and highlight the country's supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as opportunities to establish and expand businesses. 
He added that these efforts support the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy through economic diversification and strengthening the role of innovation and technology in achieving sustainable development. 
HE the Director of the Government Communications Office said Qatar continues to build on the success of previous editions to attract more technology companies and investment, and strengthen its position as a regional destination for growth, innovation and expansion. 
He expressed anticipation for welcoming participants to Web Summit Qatar 2027, which will bring together startups, investors and technology leaders to explore opportunities in the country and establish new partnerships. 
For his part, Chief Strategy Officer at Invest Qatar Dr. Hamad Rashid Al Nuaimi said Qatar offers startups an integrated environment supporting their establishment, growth and expansion through an ecosystem combining financing, advanced infrastructure, talent and strategic partnerships. 
He added that Startup Qatar program brings these resources and opportunities together on an integrated platform, helping innovative companies launch their projects and pursue new growth opportunities. 
He said the program recently received the 2026 United Nations Investment Promotion Award in recognition of its success in attracting investment in the digital economy. 
He stressed that he looked forward to engaging with founders and entrepreneurs at Web Summit Lisbon and introducing them to the advantages that make Qatar an attractive destination for launching and expanding businesses. 
The Qatari delegation includes representatives from several government and semi-government entities, including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Qatar Investment Authority, Invest Qatar, Qatar Development Bank, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Science and Technology Park, Media City Qatar, Business House, Visit Qatar and the Hayya platform. 
Qatar's pavilion, overseen by Invest Qatar through Startup Qatar program, brings together entities involved in technology, investment and entrepreneurship to showcase the country's business environment and promote the next edition of the summit in Doha.
It will also highlight the program's achievements and the opportunities it offers startups. The Startup Qatar program, delivered by Qatar Development Bank, has attracted more than 10,000 applications and provided over USD 100 million in funding to more than 50 startups from several countries, including Italy, Oman, Spain, Singapore, Turkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. 
The program offers participants a range of incentives and facilities, including exemptions from registration and license renewal fees, subsidized co-working spaces and accommodation, mentorship services and support in accessing markets, providing them with the foundations for growth and expansion from Qatar. 
The pavilion will also provide on-site assistance with company registration and business establishment procedures, introducing entrepreneurs and investors to the practical steps involved in launching businesses in Qatar. 
Business House will participate for the first time. Recently launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, it provides company registration and licensing services in the country's economic zones.
The pavilion will feature interactive activities allowing visitors to learn about Qatar and explore its growth opportunities. These include stories of people who moved to the country from around the world and achieved personal and professional success, as well as an interactive wall highlighting the opportunities and potential available to companies, entrepreneurs and investors.
The "Ask About Qatar" activity will allow visitors to submit questions via a tablet to people in Qatar, learn about their experiences and receive answers to their inquiries. Four startups supported by the Startup Qatar program will also take part in the pavilion: Growa, which specializes in AI-powered smart agriculture solutions; Alligator, which develops AI agents for managing public relations tasks; Multiverse Computing, which provides secure, cost-effective AI solutions for enterprises; and Wellbees, which focuses on workplace well-being and employee health. 
Their participation will showcase examples of companies operating in technology and innovation and highlight the opportunities offered by Qatar's startup ecosystem. Qatar's participation in Web Summit Lisbon will also feature panel discussions and specialized activities. 
Chief Strategy Officer at Invest Qatar Dr. Hamad Rashid Al Nuaimi will speak at a session examining shifts in the global growth landscape and emerging opportunities in new markets. 
Director of Qatari Funds at Qatar Investment Authority Haya Al Ghanim will take part in a session on investment trends in innovative technologies and their role in reshaping industries. 
Meanwhile, Snoonu will deliver a specialized workshop on scaling local products and taking them to global markets. Qatar Science and Technology Park will organize a series of workshops showcasing its support programs for technology companies. 
These include an early-stage startup program to prepare companies for market entry, a USD 30 million venture capital fund targeting founders based in Qatar, and two accelerators focused on women's health technology and water technology. 
The park also seeks to attract eligible European and international startups to its incubation and acceleration programs, establish their businesses in Doha and use Qatar as a base for expansion into regional markets. 
The Qatari delegation's participation in Web Summit Lisbon 2026 reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen the country's presence at global technology events, expand partnerships with investors, entrepreneurs and international companies, and showcase opportunities within Qatar's technology and innovation ecosystem. These efforts aim to attract investment, empower startups and generate greater interest in Web Summit Qatar 2027. (QNA)