Startup Grind Doha Chapter hosts All Star Pitch Battle
Doha, Qatar — Startup Grind Doha Chapter hosted the highly anticipated All Star Pitch Battle on September 15, bringing together over 150 founders, investors, and ecosystem enablers at Qatar Chamber in Lusail. The evening showcased the strength, creativity, and momentum of Qatar’s startup community, reinforcing the nation’s ambitions to build a world-class hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Event Highlights
The road to the final stage began with 51 Qatar-based startups applying to compete. From this group, 21 promising teams were selected to pitch live at the event. The All Star Pitch Battle is part of a global Startup Grind initiative that runs across more than 150 chapters, connecting founders and innovators from diverse markets and highlighting standout talent on a shared global platform.
Top Performers
- First place: Be My Sense — Awarded $1,500 and a trophy, and advancing to represent Qatar in the regional semi-finals.
- Second place: PitchPro.me
- Third place: paintit.ai
- Most Creative Pitch: Meta Souq
Judging Panel
A distinguished panel of ecosystem leaders evaluated the pitches, bringing perspectives from venture capital, government, and innovation enablers:
- Tarik Sultan — Builders VC
- Alina Truhina — A_Typical Ventures
- Hayfa Al-Abdulla — Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP)
- Omair Alnaimi — Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
- Marcel Dridje — EBAN GCC Ambassador
- Firas Sleiman — Kaic
- Majed Lababidi — Alchemist Doha
A Platform for Innovation
Beyond the competition, the event served as a catalyst for connections across the ecosystem. Founders engaged with investors, mentors, and peers, gaining feedback and forging relationships that can accelerate their growth. The diversity of solutions—spanning AI, platforms, and creative technologies—reflected the breadth of innovation taking root in Qatar and the region.
Community Perspective
Indica Amarasinghe, Director of Startup Grind Doha, reflected on the energy in the room: “The All Star Pitch Battle was more than a contest—it spotlighted the remarkable talent within Qatar’s startup ecosystem. We’re proud to provide a stage for entrepreneurs to share bold ideas and open doors to global opportunities. Congratulations to every participant and winner—the future of innovation in Qatar looks exceptionally bright.”
What’s Next
With Be My Sense moving on to the regional semi-finals, Doha’s founders continue to gain visibility on the global stage. As the local community grows, events like the All Star Pitch Battle help founders validate their products, attract investment, and build momentum—fueling Qatar’s vision of a vibrant, competitive startup landscape.
