Paddy Cosgrave: Hosting Web Summit in Qatar Was Our Best Decision

Paddy Cosgrave, the founder and CEO of Web Summit, spoke about organizing the event in Qatar, saying: “This was the best decision we have ever made. Before hosting the first edition, we aimed to attract 7,500 participants for the second edition. Today, we are witnessing over 25,000 participants from more than 120 countries worldwide, far exceeding our expectations.”

He highlighted Qatar’s rapid economic growth and exceptional diplomatic skills, which have drawn global attention. The summit has seen a record participation of 228 Qatari startups, playing a key role in shaping Qatar’s future. Additionally, Cosgrave noted that 148 startups that participated in Web Summit Qatar 2024 successfully raised nearly $30 billion in investments over the past year, emphasizing the summit’s significance as a key platform for fostering growth and investment in the technology and entrepreneurship sectors.

The summit opened with panel discussions featuring global entrepreneurs, including Alexander Wang, founder and CEO of Scale AI, and Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and general partner at Seven Seven Six. The second edition of the summit hosts around 25,000 participants, 1,520 startups, 600 investors, 380 speakers, and 180 partners. It also enjoys extensive media coverage, with representatives from 600 media outlets worldwide. The event includes panel discussions and workshops exploring the latest technological advancements and digital market trends.

Source: Al-Raya News