Reflections from Web Summit Qatar
By Danielle Graham, Co-Founder of The Firehood & ventureLAB Advisor
Landing in Qatar for the Web Summit was a breeze. The airport’s proximity to the city made arriving seamless. It instantly struck me as the kind of place that could easily become a global fund’s home base. Everything here feels built for accessibility and efficiency.
One of the first things that stood out was Startup Qatar’s QR code registration system. Founders could register instantly, and just like that, they were set up with four years of waived incorporation fees. It is smart, simple, and founder-friendly. The kind of policy that turns ideas into action. It sends a clear message that Qatar is serious about building its startup ecosystem.
The conference experience itself was just as smooth. There was a clear effort to help you connect with the right people. That level of intentionality is rare at events this size. Whether I was talking to investors, founders, or policymakers, meaningful conversations were easy to come by.
One of my favorite moments was MC’ing the Startup Showcase. It was an incredible opportunity to meet founders from all over the world, each bringing something new to the table. The diversity was undeniable. Every continent was represented except Antarctica. Naturally, I turned that into a joke onstage, and thankfully, it landed.
The energy and passion were infectious, and the conversations didn’t stop there. I was lucky to spend time with many of the founders again in Dubai, diving deeper into their stories and the challenges they are tackling. It reminded me that innovation is global and that the connections we make across borders are often the ones that last.
And then came Malcolm Gladwell. His thoughts on podcasting completely shifted my perspective. He spoke about how the human voice carries nuance that reading or video cannot replicate. Inflection, tone, and silence become part of the story. It left me thinking deeply about how we tell The Firehood’s story moving forward.
Jay Shetty also left a mark, especially when he talked about the anxiety his career choices caused for his parents. His message was clear. Every risk felt terrifying and every risk was worth it. It is a sentiment every founder understands in their bones.
Will Smith took the stage too, speaking openly about failure. He drew unexpected but powerful parallels between Hollywood and startups. It was a reminder that resilience is universal and sometimes it is the failures that fuel our most meaningful growth.
The pitch competition brought its own kind of intrigue. Paddy Cosgrave chose not to attach a financial prize, opting instead to keep the focus on authentic storytelling. While it made for a purer pitch moment, I could not help but wonder if a small trophy alone felt a bit anticlimactic. A bold move, but one that definitely got people talking.
Of course, I cannot wrap up without mentioning Qatari hospitality. The food, the warmth, the genuine sense of welcome, it all felt deeply rooted in pride and tradition. That said, some of the off-conference investor events missed the mark. With founders far outnumbering investors, the balance felt off and the result was less productive than it could have been. There is clear momentum, but also room to refine how these connections are curated.
Overall, Web Summit Qatar left me energized and hopeful. The infrastructure, the founder-first mindset, and the region’s willingness to try something different are all signs of an ecosystem that is finding its stride. For The Firehood, that means more pathways to champion women-led innovation on the global stage.
Here is to the next stop, the next conversation, and yes, maybe even our own podcast.
Signing off from Doha, where the pace is fast, the hospitality runs deep, and the future of tech is being built one bold idea at a time.
- Danielle
