Latest news with #WebSummitQatar
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Invest Qatar showcases startup ecosystem at Web Summit Vancouver
Tribune News Network Doha Invest Qatar, the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar,marked its successful participation in the inaugural Web Summit Vancouver, held from 27 to 30 May. The event showcased Qatar's welcoming and dynamic startup ecosystem through the 'Startup Qatar' pavilion, which attracted significant attention from attendees and industry leaders. The 'Startup Qatar' pavilion, a collaborative effort between Invest Qatar and key ecosystem partners including Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), and Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council (QRDI) highlighted the exclusive advantages and extensive opportunities available to startups and entrepreneurs looking to establish and expand their ventures in Qatar. Throughout the four-day summit, the pavilion facilitated connections between attendees and key stakeholders in Qatar's startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem. It emphasised the country's thriving business environment, multi-sectoral opportunities, and tailored benefits designed to empower ambitious startups and support their long-term growth. Senior representatives from the Qatar delegation actively engaged in panel discussions and networking sessions, highlighting the country's progress in driving innovation and technological advancement. Hamad Al-Naimi, Strategy Manager at Invest Qatar, participated in a panel discussiontitled 'From Seed to Scale: Catalysing Startup Growth in Emerging Tech Hubs' alongside António Dias Martins, CEO of Startup Portugal. During the discussion, Al-Naimi shared valuable insights into the policies and initiatives Qatar is pursuing to strengthen its position as a dynamic hub for innovation and startups. He also highlighted Qatar's recently launched $1 billion incentives programme, aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability and global competitiveness of startups and fintech companies. The programme focuses on key sectors, including technology, with targeted support for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity and data-driven innovation, to foster a robust digital economy and attract high-impact investments. The participation at Web Summit Vancouver builds on the significant interest and record success of the 'Startup Qatar' initiative during previous international tech events. The initiative, launched ahead of the inaugural Web Summit Qatar, has recorded over 450 business registrations facilitated by QFC and received more than 4,000 applications for the 'Startup Qatar Investment Programme' by QDB. This programme offers funding of up to $500,000 for seed-stage and up to $5 million for growth-stage companies. To date, the programme has awarded $23.5M in funding to 19 startups from across the world, including Italy, Oman, Singapore, the U.K., the U.S. and Turkey. These startups benefit from funding, mentorship and other support services in Qatar's innovation-driven 'Startup Qatar' initiative is designed to support startups at every stage of their journey. It provides an innovative one-stop online platform ( catering to all business requirements and enabling them to access Qatar's extensive network of support services, opportunities, funding, incubation programmes, government grants, networking events and various other resources.
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
SALUTS Unveils Robot-Defined Operations at Web Summit Qatar: Pioneering Future AI Autonomy In-Space and On-Earth
SALUTS (formerly Salutes Space) a leader in decentralized AI and space-grade autonomy. As AI-driven autonomy reshapes industries, cyber threats and robotic risks are escalating. At Web Summit Qatar, SALUTS is set to showcase its groundbreaking Robot-Defined Defense, a next-generation security framework designed to safeguard autonomous operations across space, defense, and critical infrastructure. SALUTS Forges Strategic Alliance to Pioneer Autonomous Systems In-Space and On-Earth Today, announced a strategic partnership with Unifiaccess , an industrial technology company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By combining SALUTS' deep-tech expertise in ultra-low-power AI chips and secure satellite connectivity with Unifiaccess' manufacturing scale and regional market insight, the alliance will deliver next-generation IoT, V2X and distributed surveillance solutions powered by space-based infrastructure — and co-develop the first German-Saudi IoT satellite constellation. Together, SALUTS and Unifiaccess will fast-track advanced IoT and V2X applications—from autonomous logistics fleets to distributed surveillance networks safeguarding critical infrastructure. A German-Saudi IoT Satellite Constellation Under SALUTS' AstraDroid programme, the partners will co-develop and deploy a 16-satellite microsatellite constellation over the next decade. This network will provide global distributed systems, precise navigation and resilient communications for industrial operations, smart cities and defense platforms. Aligning with Regional Visions Saudi Vision 2030: Accelerating sustainability, smart-city deployments and Industry 4.0 with low-latency edge AI; empowering local talent through no-code platforms. UAE Innovation Vision: Bolstering the UAE's Space Strategy 2030 via orbital autonomy; advancing AI Strategy 2031 with energy-efficient, resilient edge computing. Showcasing Robot-Defined Operations at Web Summit Qatar At Web Summit Qatar 2025, SALUTS unveiled its robot-defined operations framework, demonstrating two flagship innovations: CHIRB (Computing on Hybrid Interplanetary Relay Basis) – a natural-language AI control layer that bridges Web 2.0 and Web 3.0, enabling code-free, real-time automation across space, defense, industrial and smart-city environments. NEROnaut – a rugged, ultra-efficient Robot-on-Chip delivering on-device AI for instantaneous, resilient decision-making both in orbit and at the network edge. 'Resilient autonomy is the next frontier,' said M. Sobhy Fouda, CEO & Founder of SALUTS. 'By processing security telemetry on-chip, we eliminate latency and external vulnerabilities—ensuring satellites, UAVs and critical infrastructure detect and neutralize threats in real time.' Attendees responded enthusiastically to live demos of decentralized satellite platforms, energy-efficient orbital data centers and intelligent machine interactions extending far beyond Earth. CHIRB: Intelligent Control for Autonomous Operations SALUTS' CHIRB platform transforms mission management by offering: Natural-Language Interface: Intuitive, code-free control and diagnostics via chat. Edge Processing: Sub-millisecond decisions on-device, independent of ground links. Plug-and-Play Integration: Seamless deployment across satellites, UAVs, industrial machinery and smart-city systems. Decentralized Security: Web 3.0-inspired architecture ensuring data sovereignty and built-in audit trails. Multi-Agent Coordination: Real-time orchestration of heterogeneous fleets—from orbital platforms to autonomous vehicles. Offline Resilience: Continuous operation in contested or disconnected environments, with self-healing routines. Revolutionizing AI Security with Robot-on-Chip At the heart of this pioneering approach is Robot-on-Chip, SALUTS' proprietary decentralized AI technology. This innovation enables real-time, in-orbit and on-the-ground data processing while ensuring cyber resilience against emerging robotic threats. 'As the CEO and Founder of SALUTS and the creator of Robot-on-Chip, my mission is to advance AI-driven autonomy while safeguarding human life from robotic risks. Our work is shaping the future of human-machine interactions, ensuring they are not only intelligent but also secure.' — M. Sobhy Fouda, CEO & Founder of SALUTS Robot-Defined Defense: Cyber-Resilient Autonomy Cyber-Proof AI for a Secure Autonomous Future AI systems are prime targets for cyber threats, rogue automation, and adversarial AI attacks. SALUTS' Robot-on-Chip integrates advanced security layers to detect, isolate, and neutralize robotic threats in real time—ensuring mission-critical operations remain secure. Space-Grade Security for Defense & Industry 4.0 Autonomy must be unhackable. Robot-Defined Defense safeguards: Military UAVs & Satellites from cyber intrusion Autonomous Industrial Operations from adversarial AI attacks IoT & Smart Infrastructure from robotic system breaches Real-Time Threat Response with Robot-on-Chip Unlike conventional AI, Robot-on-Chip processes security data on-device, eliminating latency and man-in-the-middle vulnerabilities tied to Earth-based processing. This enables instant anomaly detection, autonomous countermeasures, and resilient AI decision-making in real time. SALUTS at Web Summit Qatar: Showcasing the Future of AI Security As part of its global mission to secure AI autonomy, SALUTS presented at Web Summit Qatar, one of the world's leading technology gatherings. The event provides a platform for SALUTS to engage with investors, defense organizations, and industry leaders, showcasing how Robot-Defined Defense is shaping the next generation of cyber-secure autonomy. The Next Frontier: Securing AI for the Autonomous Age The future is autonomous—but without security, autonomy is at risk. SALUTS is leading the charge to ensure AI-driven operations are not only smarter and faster but also invulnerable to cyber threats and robotic attacks. SALUTS: A New Name for a New Era With its rapid ascent on the global stage, Salutes Space has rebranded to SALUTS —symbolizing an expanded mission from orbital servicing to critical infrastructure, industrial automation and defense. 'Our goal is to develop not only smarter but also more resilient and responsible AI—systems that learn, adapt and operate independently.' — M. Sobhy Fouda, CEO of SALUTS About SALUTS Founded in 2023 and headquartered in Weßling, Germany, with offices in London, Riyadh and Dubai, SALUTS delivers Space Infrastructure as a Service (SIaaS) through ultra-low-power AI chips, autonomous systems and secure satellite links. Its core platforms—CHIRB and NEROnaut—enable real-time, decentralized AI for applications ranging from orbital servicing to smart manufacturing, maritime autonomy and critical-infrastructure protection. A winner of the 2024 'Economics of the Future' award at the Entrepreneurship World Cup and a Top 100 finalist in 2023, SALUTS is committed to human-centered innovation, environmental stewardship, sustainable low-power design and ethical transparency. We invite investors, defense agencies, and technology leaders to join us in building a cyber-proof future. SALUTS: as the risks associated with AI and robotics grow, the most effective countermeasure shall be to fight fire with fire—or rather, robots with robots digitally and physically. By deploying our Robot-on-Chip in intelligent machines, we can mitigate life 3.0 threats using the very technology that challenges us.
Gulf Insider
05-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Qatar Welcomed 1.5M+ Tourists in Q1, Led by GCC and Europe
Qatar's tourism sector began 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming more than 1.5m international visitors between January and March. Visitors from GCC countries accounted for (36 per cent), followed by Europe (28 per cent) and Asia and Oceania (20 per cent), reinforcing Qatar's growing appeal across varied markets. Visitor arrivals by air (51 per cent), land (34 per cent) and sea (15 per cent) highlight the effectiveness of Qatar's diversified access strategy. Notably, Eid Al Fitr 2025 delivered the highest holiday arrival figures in three years, with 214,000 visitors during the eight-day period, a 26 per cent increase over 2024. GCC visitors accounted for 49 per cent of the total, marking an 18 per cent year-on-year increase, and hotel occupancy reached 77 per cent, up 10 per cent from the same period last year. Strong performance across the hospitality sector accompanied this growth. 71 per cent average hotel occupancy and 2.6m room nights sold reflected heightened demand fuelled by key events including Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), and the Qatar International Food Festival. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: 'The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate some of the planned outputs of our long-term approach to tourism development. Part of the development transcends into deepening collaboration across local, regional and international markets and continue to diversify source markets, enhance visitor experiences, and reinforce Qatar's position as a dynamic, year-round destination. 'We are excited to have welcomed 1.5m in Q1 and look forward to welcoming more guests throughout this year.' Qatar reaffirmed its leadership in regional tourism by hosting the 51st UN Tourism Regional Committee for the Middle East, where discussions focused on harnessing Qatar's strengths in sports, innovation, and infrastructure to drive sustainable tourism across the region. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Qatar is also progressing the transformation of Khor Al Udaid into a premier desert tourism destination. Anchored in the Tourism Assets Masterplan, the project blends environmental preservation with upscale, nature-based visitor experiences—positioning it as a model for eco-tourism in the region. To further elevate the visitor experience, Qatar Tourism has also launched the 'Taste of Qatar' initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Ipsos, aimed at benchmarking and enhancing the country's dining landscape for both residents and tourists. The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition 2025 welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors, featuring more than 500 international and local brands, and recorded sales exceeding QR246m ($68), up nearly 10 per cent from last year. Visit Qatar's first-of-its-kind Ras Abrouq desert activation drew 55,000 visitors over 60 days, while Visit Qatar's Sealine Village attracted over 48,000 attendees. Shop Qatar 2025 generated QR120m ($33m) in sales, a 50 per cent increase year-on-year, and awarded QR2.5m ($688,000) in prizes. The Qatar International Food Festival brought together more than 365,000 visitors and 180 restaurants, including 28 international outlets, while the Throwback Food Festival welcomed over 100,000 to Doha's Old Port. The 2024/2025 cruise season recorded 87 ship calls (up 19 per cent from previous season), including five maiden voyages and 13 homeporting calls, bringing in over 360,000 cruise visitors, which is a 4 per cent increase year-on-year. More than 10 per cent were turnaround passengers, supporting Qatar's positioning as a regional cruise hub. Momentum is set to continue with a robust calendar of confirmed events. Qatar will host the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation annually until 2030. Upcoming highlights include the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, the return of the Visit Qatar E1 Grand Prix of Electric Boats, as well as a series of major festivals and sporting events, all set to further diversify tourism offerings and drive sustained growth. Also read: Omar Farooq's 'Ana Laha' Wins GCC Award From Qatar Foundation's Akhlaquna Initiative
ILoveQatar.net
04-05-2025
- Business
- ILoveQatar.net
Over 1.5 million international visitors received in Qatar between January and March 2025
Qatar's tourism sector began 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming over 1.5 million international visitors between January and March. This surge was driven by an integrated tourism strategy that combines high-profile events, strategic partnerships, and diversified destination experiences. Visitors from GCC countries accounted for (36%), followed by Europe (28%) and Asia and Oceania (20%), reinforcing Qatar's growing appeal across varied markets. Visitor arrivals by air (51%), land (34%) and sea (15%) highlight the effectiveness of Qatar's diversified access strategy. Notably, Eid Al Fitr 2025 delivered the highest holiday arrival figures in three years, with 214,000 visitors during the 8-day period, a 26% increase over 2024. GCC visitors accounted for 49% of the total, marking an 18% year-on-year increase, and hotel occupancy reached 77%, up 10% from the same period last year. Strong performance across the hospitality sector accompanied this growth. 71% average hotel occupancy and 2.6 million room nights sold reflected heightened demand fuelled by key events including Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition (DJWE), and the Qatar International Food Festival. HE Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Chair of the Board of Directors of Visit Qatar, said: 'The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate some of the planned outputs of our long-term approach to tourism development. Part of the development transcends into deepening collaboration across local, regional and international markets and continue to diversify source markets, enhance visitor experiences, and reinforce Qatar's position as a dynamic, year-round destination. We are excited to have welcomed 1.5M in Q1 and look forward to welcoming more guests throughout this year.' Leading Regional Synergies, Sustainable Tourism, and Visitor Satisfaction Qatar reaffirmed its leadership in regional tourism by hosting the 51st UN Tourism Regional Committee for the Middle East, where discussions focused on harnessing Qatar's strengths in sports, innovation, and infrastructure to drive sustainable tourism across the region. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Qatar is also progressing the transformation of Khor Al Udaid into a premier desert tourism destination. Anchored in the Tourism Assets Masterplan, the project blends environmental preservation with upscale, nature-based visitor experiences—positioning it as a model for eco-tourism in the region. To further elevate the visitor experience, Qatar Tourism has also launched the 'Taste of Qatar' initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Ipsos, aimed at benchmarking and enhancing the country's dining landscape for both residents and tourists. Major Events Fuel Demand and Elevate Global Profile The Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2025 welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors, featuring over 500 international and local brands, and recorded sales exceeding QAR 246 million, up nearly 10% from last year. Visit Qatar's first-of-its-kind Ras Abrouq desert activation drew 55,000 visitors over 60 days, while Visit Qatar's Sealine Village attracted over 48,000 attendees. Shop Qatar 2025 generated QAR 120 million in sales, a 50% increase year-on-year, and awarded QAR 2.5 million in prizes. The Qatar International Food Festival brought together 365,000+ visitors and 180 restaurants, including 28 international outlets, while the Throwback Food Festival welcomed over 100,000 to Doha's Old Port. Cruise Tourism Grows Steadily The 2024/2025 cruise season recorded 87 ship calls (up 19% from previous season), including five maiden voyages and 13 homeporting calls, bringing in over 360,000 cruise visitors, which is a 4% increase year-on-year. Over 10% were turnaround passengers, supporting Qatar's positioning as a regional cruise hub. Ongoing Global Campaigns Drive Awareness Qatar continues to elevate its global tourism profile through a mix of high-impact campaigns and strategic market activations. In Q1, Qatar had a prominent presence at global platforms including FITUR (Spain), ITB Berlin, and the Outbound Travel Fair in India, reinforcing its appeal to high-potential travellers. In addition, Visit Qatar enhanced its international stopover campaigns and broadened visibility through content-driven outreach and targeted media placements across key source markets. At the regional level, tailored campaigns played a pivotal role in boosting visitation and engagement, particularly from the GCC, which accounted for 36% of all international arrivals in Q1. Three major initiatives made a strong impact including the Ramadan campaign 'Welcome Our Dear Neighbours', the interactive TV programme 'Emrah wa Erbah', and the Eid Al Fitr campaign 'Entertainment on Us'. These efforts successfully deepened cultural resonance and encouraged travel during key periods, contributing to record-breaking visitor numbers during Eid Al Fitr 2025. Momentum is set to continue with a robust calendar of confirmed events. Qatar will host the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation annually until 2030. Upcoming highlights include the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™️, the return of the Visit Qatar E1 Grand Prix of Electric Boats, as well as a series of major festivals and sporting events, all set to further diversify Qatar's tourism offerings and drive sustained growth.
Arab News
04-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Qatar welcomes over 1.5m international visitors in Q1 2025
RIYADH: Qatar received more than 1.5 million international visitors in the first quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures, as the country continues to push forward with its comprehensive tourism strategy anchored in major events, strategic partnerships, and diverse travel offerings. While slightly below the 1.6 million visitors recorded during the same period in 2024, the latest numbers highlight Qatar's sustained momentum in attracting global travelers. Visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council countries accounted for 36 percent of arrivals, followed by Europe at 28 percent and Asia and Oceania at 20 percent, underscoring Qatar's growing appeal across varied markets. The increase aligns with the nation's long-term objective of drawing six million visitors annually by 2030. It also coincides with the third phase of the Qatar National Development Strategy (2024–2030), launched in January 2024, which designates tourism as a critical pillar in the country's economic diversification agenda. 'The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 demonstrate some of the planned outputs of our long-term approach to tourism development,' said Saad Bin Ali Al-Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism and chair of the board of directors of Visit Qatar. 'Part of the development transcends into deepening collaboration across local, regional and international markets and continue to diversify source markets, enhance visitor experiences, and reinforce Qatar's position as a dynamic, year-round destination. We are excited to have welcomed 1.5M in Q1 and look forward to welcoming more guests throughout this year,' he added. Qatar's multi-access strategy also appears to be paying off. Of the total visitors, 51 percent arrived by air, 34 percent by land, and 15 percent by sea. During the Eid Al-Fitr holidays, the country recorded its highest holiday visitor count in three years, attracting 214,000 travelers over an eight-day period — a 26 percent increase from 2024. Nearly half (49 percent) of those visitors came from GCC countries, representing an 18 percent year-on-year rise. Hotel occupancy during this period reached 77 percent, up from 67 percent the previous year. The hospitality industry reported robust performance overall in Q1, with an average hotel occupancy rate of 71 percent and 2.6 million room nights sold. Key drivers included major international events such as Web Summit Qatar, the Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition, and the Qatar International Food Festival. Reinforcing its position as a regional tourism hub, Qatar also hosted the 51st UN Tourism Regional Committee for the Middle East. The gathering focused on leveraging the country's strengths in sports, innovation, and infrastructure to promote sustainable tourism across the region. Looking ahead, Qatar is set to continue its tourism push with a strong slate of upcoming events. The country will annually host the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organization through 2030. Additional highlights include the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, the Visit Qatar E1 Grand Prix of Electric Boats, and a series of high-profile festivals and sports events, all aimed at enriching Qatar's tourism offerings and supporting its continued growth.
