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Startup Grind Doha recently announced the winners of its ‘Tech Startup Community Awards’, which, according to a veteran Qatari businessman, supports entrepreneurship and fosters sustainable innovation. The ‘Tech Startup Community Awards’ recognised outstanding founders, startups, mentors, investors, and ecosystem leaders who continue to shape and strengthen Qatar’s entrepreneurial landscape, Startup Grind Doha announced in a statement. The awards ceremony brought together founders, innovators, investors, and ecosystem partners to celebrate excellence, impact, and community spirit within Qatar’s fast-growing startup ecosystem. Now in its second edition, the awards remain “a community-led initiative created by the community, for the community.” This year’s winners represent a diverse range of sectors and contributions, reflecting the depth and maturity of innovation emerging from Qatar. The winners of the ‘Tech Startup Community Awards’ for 2025 are Steve Mackie (Community Builder of the Year), Dr Hanan el-Basha (Mentor of the Year), Shipbee (Tech Disruptor Award), Empowrd (Idea Stage Startup of the Year), Emma Systems (Growth Stage Startup of the Year), PayLater (Breakthrough Startup of the Year), Golden Gate Ventures (Most Value Added Investor), Hissa al-Thani (Female Founder), Lillia (AI Startup of the Year), and Karty (FinTech Startup of the Year). The chapter director of Startup Grind Doha stated, “These awards represent more than just recognition: They celebrate the people and startups who consistently give back, push boundaries, and help build a stronger, more connected startup ecosystem in Qatar. The winners truly represent the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines our community.”As the Title Sponsor of the event, MBK Global reaffirmed its commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in Qatar. Veteran entrepreneur Sheikh Mansoor bin Khalifa al-Thani, who is also chairman of MBK Global, said: “Supporting initiatives like the Startup Grind Tech Startup Community Awards aligns strongly with our belief in empowering entrepreneurs and building sustainable innovation ecosystems. “These awards highlight the talent, ambition, and collaborative spirit driving Qatar’s startup community forward, and we are proud to support a platform that recognises those creating real impact.” As an annual event, the Tech Startup Community Awards aim to spotlight role models, encourage collaboration, and inspire the next generation of founders by showcasing success stories across different stages of the startup journey, Startup Grind Doha added. 

Startup Grind Doha Chapter recently hosted the ‘All Star Pitch Battle’, highlighting the strength and creativity of Qatar’s startup ecosystem, with over 150 people from the ecosystem attending the event held at Qatar Chamber’s headquarters in Lusail.The event, held in partnership with the Youth Entrepreneurship Club (YEC) and Qatar Chamber, and sponsored by Builders VC Mena, underscored Qatar’s growing position as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, aligning with the nation’s vision of cultivating a vibrant and globally competitive startup landscape.The journey began with 51 startups in Qatar applying, of which 21 were selected to pitch at the event. The pitch battle is part of a global Startup Grind programme, held across more than 150 chapters worldwide, uniting founders and innovators from diverse markets on one global stage.The following are the winners of the Doha edition: Be My Sense (first place), PitchPro.me (second place), paintit.ai (third place), and Meta Souq (Most Creative Pitch Award). Be My Sense received $1,500, a trophy, and advanced to represent Qatar in the regional semi-finals.Be My Sense stood out for its impactful solution, an AI-powered platform designed to empower the hearing-impaired community. Through real-time sign language translation, the platform breaks communication barriers in education, entertainment, and daily life, placing accessibility at the heart of digital innovation.Tarik Sultan of Builders VC Mena said: “The All Star Pitch Battle showcased the ambition and originality that’s defining Qatar’s emerging startup ecosystem. The entrepreneurs who took the stage were not simply presenting ideas; they were offering solutions with the potential to scale globally. At Builders VC Mena, we believe platforms like this are critical in giving founders the visibility, networks, and confidence to translate vision into lasting value.”YEC vice-president Abdulrahman Tariq al-Emadi said: “Our partnership with Startup Grind Doha in the All Star Pitch Battle reflects our commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs in Qatar.“By providing a platform for startups to showcase their talent, we are helping to inspire innovation, build confidence, and strengthen the foundations of a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.”The competition was judged by Sultan, Alina Truhina of A-typical Ventures, Hayfa al-Abdulla (Qatar Science & Technology Park), Omair Alnaimi (Ministry of Communications and Information Technology), Marcel Dridje (EBAN GCC Ambassador), Firas Sleiman (Kaic), and Majed Lababidi (Alchemist Doha).Startup Grind Doha director Indica Amarasinghe said: “The All Star Pitch Battle was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of the incredible talent and creativity in Qatar’s startup ecosystem. We are proud to provide a platform for these entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and connect with global opportunities.”