Business Leaders ME | Qatar & Middle East Business News Magazine https://businessleadersme.com/tag/startups/ Turning Milestones into Headlines Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:23:11 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://businessleadersme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/bl-favicon-150x150.png Business Leaders ME | Qatar & Middle East Business News Magazine https://businessleadersme.com/tag/startups/ 32 32 Web Summit Qatar 2025: Hub of Artificial Intelligence https://businessleadersme.com/web-summit-qatar-2025-hub-of-artificial-intelligence/ Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:22:38 +0000 https://businessleadersme.com/?p=2262 This year’s expanded edition welcomed over 25,000 attendees from over 124 countries, more than 1,520 startups, over 600 investors, and more than 380 speakers alongside 180 industry partners. The event has also drawn unprecedented media interest, with representatives from over 600 media outlets. The second annual Web Summit held in Doha at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) between February 23 and 26 had a bevy of tech entrepreneurs and financial backers who got together to assess and understand the future of artificial intelligence (AI). His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, inaugurated the second edition of Web Summit Qatar, the largest technology event in the Middle East and North Africa.  In his opening speech, HE the Prime Minister emphasised Qatar’s continued efforts to cement its position as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. He highlighted the nation’s commitment to improving regulatory frameworks and creating new economic opportunities for the private sector.  He stated: “Built on the back of our thriving energy sector, we are positioned for a private sector take-off. This launch will include even more transformative partnerships across key sectors, from pioneering fintech solutions to groundbreaking climate technologies.”  HE the Prime Minister emphasised that Qatar will continue to reinforce its commitment to supporting startups, stating: “We plan to renovate our entire economy to make Qatar the top regional destination for startups and create an ecosystem for startups to innovate and thrive.”    Qatar is seeking to use its gas wealth to help it become a regional AI leader amid rising competition from neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.  Qatar had signed a five-year deal with Scale AI to deploy AI-powered tools and training in a push to improve government services in the country. 2025 Web Summit The summit kicked off with a series of panel discussions featuring prominent entrepreneurs from around the world, including Alexandr Wang, founder and CEO of Scale AI, and Alexis Ohanian, Co-Founder of Reddit and General Partner at Seven Seven Six. Leading entrepreneurs from around the world, including Alexander Wang, founder and CEO of Scale AI, and Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and general partner at Seven Seven Six, took centre stage at the event on the opening day. Key questions discussed at the summit were over the future of AI amid companies and investors that are changing that landscape more rapidly than what the players themselves expected.  The United States and China are leading in preparedness for AI, said Wang of US company Scale AI. DeepSeek, the Chinese AI company that develops large language models that are competitive with OpenAI’s, but cost less to create. demonstrated that it is a relatively close race between the two countries and that others will have to follow suit soon.

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This year’s expanded edition welcomed over 25,000 attendees from over 124 countries, more than 1,520 startups, over 600 investors, and more than 380 speakers alongside 180 industry partners. The event has also drawn unprecedented media interest, with representatives from over 600 media outlets.

The second annual Web Summit held in Doha at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) between February 23 and 26 had a bevy of tech entrepreneurs and financial backers who got together to assess and understand the future of artificial intelligence (AI).

His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, inaugurated the second edition of Web Summit Qatar, the largest technology event in the Middle East and North Africa. 

In his opening speech, HE the Prime Minister emphasised Qatar’s continued efforts to cement its position as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. He highlighted the nation’s commitment to improving regulatory frameworks and creating new economic opportunities for the private sector.

 He stated: “Built on the back of our thriving energy sector, we are positioned for a private sector take-off. This launch will include even more transformative partnerships across key sectors, from pioneering fintech solutions to groundbreaking climate technologies.” 

HE the Prime Minister emphasised that Qatar will continue to reinforce its commitment to supporting startups, stating: “We plan to renovate our entire economy to make Qatar the top regional destination for startups and create an ecosystem for startups to innovate and thrive.”   

Qatar is seeking to use its gas wealth to help it become a regional AI leader amid rising competition from neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

 Qatar had signed a five-year deal with Scale AI to deploy AI-powered tools and training in a push to improve government services in the country.

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2025 Web Summit

The summit kicked off with a series of panel discussions featuring prominent entrepreneurs from around the world, including Alexandr Wang, founder and CEO of Scale AI, and Alexis Ohanian, Co-Founder of Reddit and General Partner at Seven Seven Six.

Leading entrepreneurs from around the world, including Alexander Wang, founder and CEO of Scale AI, and Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and general partner at Seven Seven Six, took centre stage at the event on the opening day.

Key questions discussed at the summit were over the future of AI amid companies and investors that are changing that landscape more rapidly than what the players themselves expected.

 The United States and China are leading in preparedness for AI, said Wang of US company Scale AI. DeepSeek, the Chinese AI company that develops large language models that are competitive with OpenAI’s, but cost less to create. demonstrated that it is a relatively close race between the two countries and that others will have to follow suit soon.

The post Web Summit Qatar 2025: Hub of Artificial Intelligence appeared first on Business Leaders ME | Qatar & Middle East Business News Magazine.

]]> Paris Saint-Germain Launches PSG Labs: A Global Innovation Hub with First International Expansion in Doha, QATAR https://businessleadersme.com/paris-saint-germain-launches-psg-labs-a-global-innovation-hub-with-first-international-expansion-in-doha-qatar/ Wed, 26 Feb 2025 07:53:27 +0000 https://businessleadersme.com/?p=2046 Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) announced today at Web Summit Qatar that the club is taking a bold step into the future of sports innovation with the launch of PSG Labs, a pioneering global initiative designed to accelerate cutting-edge technology in sports, fan experience, and performance. PSG Labs will serve as the Club’s dedicated innovation engine, identifying and supporting high-potential startups, entrepreneurs, and tech partners to create transformative solutions that will redefine the industry. As part of its commitment to driving innovation, Paris Saint-Germain also announced the club is expanding its global footprint with the launch of its first international PSG Lab in Doha, reinforcing its role as a leader in sports technology and fostering new collaborations in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems and a strategic gateway to cutting-edge research and technology in the Middle East. “Paris Saint-Germain has always been at the forefront of innovation—both on and off the pitch,” said Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, President of Paris Saint-Germain. “PSG Labs is a natural extension of our ambition to shape the future of sports. By collaborating with the brightest innovators from around the world, we can accelerate game-changing ideas and further solidify our position as a global leader in innovation. With our first international PSG Lab in Doha, our goal is to drive innovation on a global scale and set new benchmarks for the entire sports industry.” A New Model for Sports Innovation PSG Labs will work closely with select partners in key technology ecosystems to accelerate the development of breakthrough innovations across three focus areas: Expanding PSG’s Global Innovation Footprint The launch of PSG Labs in Doha marks the first step in the Club’s international innovation expansion. The regional lab will serve as a gateway to emerging technology in the Middle East, allowing PSG to: “This is a major step in PSG’s innovation journey”, added Jerry Newman, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer of Paris Saint-Germain. “By launching this innovation lab in Doha, PSG is demonstrating the impact that visionary leadership and global collaboration can have in shaping the future of sports.” Join the Movement  Applications for PSG Labs are now open. Startups and scaleups looking to shape the future of sports, media, and fan engagement are invited to apply. For more information, visit PSG Labs Official Website: https://www.psg.fr/labs

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Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) announced today at Web Summit Qatar that the club is taking a bold step into the future of sports innovation with the launch of PSG Labs, a pioneering global initiative designed to accelerate cutting-edge technology in sports, fan experience, and performance.

PSG Labs will serve as the Club’s dedicated innovation engine, identifying and supporting high-potential startups, entrepreneurs, and tech partners to create transformative solutions that will redefine the industry.

As part of its commitment to driving innovation, Paris Saint-Germain also announced the club is expanding its global footprint with the launch of its first international PSG Lab in Doha, reinforcing its role as a leader in sports technology and fostering new collaborations in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems and a strategic gateway to cutting-edge research and technology in the Middle East.

“Paris Saint-Germain has always been at the forefront of innovation—both on and off the pitch,” said Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, President of Paris Saint-Germain. “PSG Labs is a natural extension of our ambition to shape the future of sports. By collaborating with the brightest innovators from around the world, we can accelerate game-changing ideas and further solidify our position as a global leader in innovation. With our first international PSG Lab in Doha, our goal is to drive innovation on a global scale and set new benchmarks for the entire sports industry.”

A New Model for Sports Innovation

PSG Labs will work closely with select partners in key technology ecosystems to accelerate the development of breakthrough innovations across three focus areas:

  • Fan Experience: Enhancing how fans engage with PSG, both in Paris and around the world, through immersive and digital-first innovations.
  • Stadium & Training Ground: From smart stadiums that elevate the overall fan experience to cutting-edge enhancements at Paris Saint Germain’s state-of-the-art training facilities.
  • Health & Performance: Leveraging sports science, AI, and wearable technology to optimize player performance and well-being.

Expanding PSG’s Global Innovation Footprint

The launch of PSG Labs in Doha marks the first step in the Club’s international innovation expansion. The regional lab will serve as a gateway to emerging technology in the Middle East, allowing PSG to:

  • Partner with top local and international startups.
  • Explore new advancements in sports tech and digital engagement.
  • Develop solutions that can be scaled globally.

“This is a major step in PSG’s innovation journey”, added Jerry Newman, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer of Paris Saint-Germain. “By launching this innovation lab in Doha, PSG is demonstrating the impact that visionary leadership and global collaboration can have in shaping the future of sports.”

Join the Movement 

Applications for PSG Labs are now open. Startups and scaleups looking to shape the future of sports, media, and fan engagement are invited to apply.

For more information, visit PSG Labs Official Website: https://www.psg.fr/labs

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