On February 1-4, , StrategEast supported six high-growth startups at Web Summit Qatar 2026, held at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre (DECC) in Doha, Qatar. As the regional edition of one of the world’s largest technology conferences, Web Summit Qatar convened more than 30,000 participants from over 120 countries, including approximately 1,600 startups and 800 investors, reinforcing its role as a major global platform for innovation and investment.
The participating startups — Aspichi, Alaqan, VanOnGo, UvU, Investbanq, and SpaceLab — are part of the Arabian Gulf Market Entry Program, jointly implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and StrategEast. The program is designed to support high-potential companies in expanding into Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets through structured ecosystem engagement, investor access, and strategic advisory support.
StrategEast serves as the growth strategy partner within the program, working closely with EBRD to prepare companies for international scaling and facilitate integration into regional innovation ecosystems. Web Summit Qatar provided a high-impact entry point into the Gulf market, offering direct exposure to investors, corporates, government stakeholders, and ecosystem enablers.
Throughout the Summit, the startups engaged with key Qatari ecosystem actors, including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), which hosted sessions and startup support initiatives, as well as representatives of the Startup Qatar Pavilion, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), and Invest Qatar, all of which offer market entry frameworks and incentive structures for international companies seeking to establish operations in Qatar.
Participation in Web Summit Qatar formed part of a broader market entry and ecosystem integration strategy. The program’s objectives include accelerating Gulf market expansion through strategic networking and visibility, facilitating connections with regional and international investors, enhancing brand recognition among the global audience, and enabling companies to navigate local regulatory and commercial dynamics with targeted institutional support.
By leveraging the combined expertise of EBRD and StrategEast, the Arabian Gulf Market Entry Program continues to position emerging companies for sustainable expansion into the GCC. The presence of the six startups at Web Summit Qatar 2026 marks an importantstep in strengthening cross-regional innovation linkages and advancing long-term commercial partnerships between Eurasian founders and Gulf ecosystem stakeholders.
