Qatar Development Bank (QDB), in partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), officially announced that Doha will host the ‘Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) Doha 2026’.
The four-day event will take place on September 21-24, 2026, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC). The announcement follows the signing of an agreement between QDB and GEN on the sidelines of the 65th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The Doha edition is expected to attract more than 3,000 participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, experts, representatives of financial institutions, and government decision-makers from over 200 countries and organisations worldwide.
Participants will engage in in-depth dialogue on entrepreneurship, investment, cross-border collaboration, sectoral innovation, startup growth pathways, and public policies that support sustainable growth.
The event will be held in partnership with QDB’s Rowad Entrepreneurship Conference, building on its strong track record in supporting Qatar’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and reinforcing its position as the nation’s leading entrepreneurship event.
QDB CEO Abdulrahman bin Hesham al-Sowaidi said: “We look forward to welcoming the global entrepreneurial community of leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors to participate in high-level international dialogue that translates into collaboration, co-ordination, and partnerships that stimulate economic development across the region and globally. This milestone further reinforces Qatar’s position as a hub for economic cooperation and innovation, and as a launchpad for innovative ideas and cross-border entrepreneurship.”
GEN founder and president Jonathan Ortmans said: “Qatar brings together rare conditions: a clear strategic vision, recognised execution capabilities and an international positioning that fosters dialogue and co-operation. GEC Doha 2026 continues to underscore the role of the Congress as a global reference platform, capable of generating structured collaboration and concrete outcomes for entrepreneurial ecosystems.”
In a statement announcing its partnership with QDB, the GEN emphasised Qatar’s constructive role in advancing economic development and supporting entrepreneurship through its strong capacity for strategic co-ordination among stakeholders, effective implementation of strategies, and ability to forge impactful partnerships. Through hosting the congress, Doha aims to contribute to the development of a global economic ecosystem in which entrepreneurship serves as a central pillar for co-operation, investment, and ecosystem growth.
Hosting the global event reflects the significant progress Qatar has achieved in developing its entrepreneurship ecosystem and enhancing its competitiveness in attracting innovative projects and ideas, in line with the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy 2024–2030.
The milestone builds on the success of the Rowad Entrepreneurship Conference at the local level. Its eleventh edition, held last year, recorded notable achievements and was recognised as one of the most prominent and impactful events supporting entrepreneurship at both the local and regional levels.
Building on this momentum, QDB continues to leverage this pioneering experience by hosting one of the world’s largest entrepreneurship-focused events, opening new and unprecedented horizons for collaboration and coordination with the global entrepreneurial community.
