An overview of key trends, investment climate, and real opportunities for regional startups from the floor of Web Summit Qatar 2025.
An article by Yaroslav Kologryvov, CBDO and co-founder of PLATMA AI startup
After spending four intense days at Web Summit Qatar 2025, I want to share my observations about what’s really happening behind the facade of official press releases and loud announcements. As a representative of PLATMA, a company actively growing in the MENA region, I evaluate the event from a practical perspective: which trends are actually shaping the market, what’s the state of venture investment, and what value does the summit offer to startups?
The global technology industry is entering a new phase of development, and the MENA region is actively establishing its position in this process. The scale of the event is impressive: 25,700 participants (10,000 more than last year), a 45% increase in startup exhibitions, and presentations by industry leaders such as Alexander Wang (Scale AI), Alexis Ohanian (Seven Seven Six, Reddit co-founder), and Blake Chandlee (TikTok).
Dominant technology trends
1. Artificial intelligence as a key innovation driver
AI was the absolute leader among the technologies presented, accounting for 17% of all startups at the summit.
I particularly note that there were active discussions about implementing AI in various business functions to automate tasks and improve decision-making processes. There was also talk about AI-based customer service and how it will help improve customer interactions. Of course, these aren’t new trends, and AI is already being used in these areas in the region, but the fact that these became topics for discussion indicates that they remain relevant and will develop further in the coming years.
A landmark event was Qatar’s signing of a five-year agreement with Scale AI to implement AI tools to improve government services. For me, as a co-founder and CBDO of PLATMA, an AI startup based in MENA, this is a particularly significant indicator of the region’s long-term government strategy.
2. Evolution of the region’s fintech ecosystem
Fintech discussions also took centre stage at Web Summit Qatar 2025. Here are several key fintech directions that were clearly evident in the discussions:
Integrated financial infrastructures for business (B2B) – platforms that unite disparate financial functions into a single system. A prime example is XONO with its innovative Financial OS, which combines payments, expense management, compliance, and cash flow optimisation into a unified infrastructure. In conversation with their representatives, I learnt that investors were particularly interested in their approach to integrating various financial functions, as it solves the real problem of fragmented financial instruments in the region.
Embedded finance and BNPL solutions – a segment particularly relevant for the MENA region, where small and medium businesses are actively seeking comprehensive financial solutions. The notable partnership between Yuno and Snoonu, which was announced right at the summit, demonstrates this trend — it aims to improve the payment infrastructure of the popular Qatari super-app Snoonu.
Digital financial accessibility – alternative credit scoring models using AI and behavioural analytics to provide financing to unbanked population groups, platforms for cross-border transfers using blockchain for instant and low-cost transfers.
Islamic fintech solutions – a niche but rapidly growing segment that takes into account the specifics of Sharia financing, which is critically important for the region.
3. Sports technologies as a reflection of regional ambitions
Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) presented PSG Labs – a global initiative aimed at developing innovations in the sports industry. Fabien Allègre, PSG’s Brand Director, shared the strategy of creating a football club as a global technology brand, reflecting Qatar’s ambitions in this area.
4. Crypto technologies: A controversial but notable trend
Despite regulatory restrictions (cryptocurrency is illegal in Qatar), a significant number of crypto projects at the summit indicate growing interest in decentralised finance in the region and the potential for its liberalisation.
Cybersecurity and Regulatory Environment: Present and Future
Digital finance security issues drew close attention from summit participants. Cybersecurity remains one of the top priorities, given the growing threats in the digital finance sphere.
The focus of discussions:
AI systems for real-time fraud detection — technologies that analyze transactions in real-time and identify suspicious operations
Zero-trust security models for financial transactions — an approach where each action requires verification
Decentralized solutions for digital identity management — systems that allow users to maintain control over their data
“With MENA fintech adoption growing rapidly, tackling these issues proactively is crucial. Solutions showcased at the summit provide a strong foundation, but continuous evolution is necessary to stay ahead of emerging threats,” noted Alexey Pavlov, founder of the fintech startup XONO.
Alexey also mentioned in conversation that although no specific regulatory changes were announced, there were substantive discussions about regulatory developments in the MENA region, including growing attention to digital payments, open banking systems, and the role of regulatory technologies (RegTech). For startups, this creates a more predictable environment for developing innovative solutions.
To be continued next week…