Mena Insurtech, Fintech summits see five startups pitch transformative solutions before regional investors

The fourth Mena Insurtech Summit and the inaugural Mena Fintech Summit 2025, which wrapped up here recently, saw five trailblasing startups: MIC Global, StarUp, Jaguar Transit, Otonomi, and Digital Petroleum, pitch their transformative solutions before regional investors.

These companies were selected as part of accelerator programmes led by QIC Digital Venture Partners (QIC DVP) in collaboration with the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), reaffirming Qatar’s commitment to nurturing a thriving insurtech and fintech ecosystem.

The summits, hosted by Qatar Insurance Group, were a resounding success, cementing their position as the region’s premier platforms for innovation, collaboration, and thought leadership in insurance and financial technology.

The summit hosted a Startup Workshop that gave rising entrepreneurs direct exposure to the local innovation landscape, incubation programmes, and new market-entry opportunities.

Another high-profile session focused on the QFC’s Digital Asset Lab, which showcased Qatar’s ambition to become a pioneer in digital asset regulation and innovation.

Attendees learned how the QFC is providing a sandbox environment that welcomes startups experimenting with blockchain, tokenisation, and decentralised finance (DeFi), while ensuring robust compliance and investor protection.

The session emphasised the balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding financial integrity, a critical differentiator in today’s rapidly evolving global financial landscape.

Complementing this was a dynamic session led by Qatar Development Bank (QDB), highlighting the strategic role of its fintech hub in driving the next wave of entrepreneurial growth.

The QDB’s representatives outlined how its comprehensive support model, including equity financing, grants, mentorship, and market access, has enabled startups to scale their solutions both locally and internationally. The session made a compelling case for the role of state-backed capital and structured ecosystems in catalysing innovation and creating commercially viable, impact-driven fintech ventures.

"The future of insurance and finance is being shaped right here in Doha by brilliant minds, bold ideas, and a shared commitment to progress. As we gather the brightest global talents and innovators, we also reaffirm Qatar’s position as a regional engine for transformation and excellence,” said HE Sheikh Hamad bin Faisal al-Thani, chairman of QIC Group.

Salem Khalaf al-Mannai, Group chief executive officer of QIC Group, said the QIC believes that "innovation is not a luxury, but an imperative."

"These summits are part of our long-term strategy to realise that and to make Qatar a regional hub for insurtech and fintech excellence. The energy, creativity, and ambition we witnessed over the past two days have been nothing short of inspiring," he added.

One of the sessions, “From Merchants to Mobile Agents: The Rise of Alternative Insurance Distribution,” explored how consumer expectations and technological advancements are reshaping the distribution of insurance across digital platforms, retailers, telecoms, and gig economy workers.

Another session, “Protecting Farmers, Powering Growth: The Role of Insurtech in Agriculture Insurance,” addressed the persistent global challenge of protecting smallholder farmers against climate risks, natural disasters, and market volatility.

Experts discussed how mobile-based micro insurance, satellite data, and blockchain-powered smart contracts are driving a paradigm shift in how coverage is delivered and claims are settled.