We at ESG Bay had a pleasure to take part in the inaugural event of Web Summit Qatar in Doha, which marked a historic milestone with thousands in attendance, setting the stage for an exciting annual tradition. Recognised as the largest gathering of international start-ups in the Middle East, the event held at the Doha Exhibition and Conference Centre (DECC) attracted over 15,000 participants from 118 countries.

Author and presenter Trevor Noah, along with His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, inaugurated the event.

Throughout the three-day affair, attendees were treated to enlightening talks from renowned speakers including Ayọ Tometi, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, and Sara Sabry from Deep Space Initiative. With nearly 400 speakers, among whom 37 percent were women, the event fostered a diverse exchange of insights.

Over 1,000 start-ups, a significant portion of them led by women, showcased their ventures, engaging with investors and a global talent pool. The event attracted nearly 900 journalists from both regional publications and global media outlets, reporting on future technological trends.

Outside the conference halls, Night Summit provided an opportunity for attendees to immerse themselves in Qatar’s rich heritage and cultural landmarks, including Barahat Msheireb, the Mina District, and the picturesque B12 Beach Club, across three vibrant evenings of celebration and networking.