4YFN DOHA: WHERE INNOVATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY
4YFN has powered innovation from Barcelona to Shanghai. As it lands in Doha, Amiya Johar provides a rundown of what to expect at the start-up focused event.
Held alongside MWC25 Doha, 4FYN showcases cutting-edge technology across emerging areas including fintech, health tech, AI and climate tech.
John Hoffman, GSMA Ltd CEO, told Insight bringing the start-up platform to the MENA region “presents a unique opportunity for leading investors and tech innovators to connect, collaborate and shape the future together”.
The 4YFN showfloor will feature a curated mix of early-stage ventures and established disruptors. The executive anticipates around 100 will exhibit.
Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) will spotlight a delegation of 40 promising Qatari start-ups, which are part of the country’s emerging scene.
The event will also host international delegations from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and GSMA Mobile for Development (M4D), reflecting its expansive global reach.
In addition Mobile World Capital Barcelona, a public-private foundation Hoffman described as “a cornerstone of MWC Barcelona’s legacy”, is set to bring a delegation of spin-offs showcasing cooling technologies, advanced medical devices and AI-powered software.
Across the agenda, “attendees will gain insights from visionary speakers as they explore topics including AI, fintech and medtech,” he added.
A dynamic roster of leaders from companies including Karty, Pegasus Tech Ventures, EnergyX, Tech Barcelona, MoneyGram and the UNDP will deliver keynotes bridging technology, raising capital and policy.
Meanwhile, investor meet-ups, ‘speed-dating’ sessions and curated matchmaking events will foster fresh networking opportunities. For Hoffman, this is “one of the standout aspects of 4YFN,” which “creates the perfect environment for meaningful business connections and new collaborations.”
The executive also highlighted the 4YFN Selection Corner, which spotlights previous award winners which have gone on to scale globally.
These include Payflow, one of Spain’s fastest growing fintech companies and winner of the 4YFN23 Awards, and Qilimanjaro. The latter’s quantum computing breakthrough earned top honours in 2024.
These success stories will share how their 4YFN participation “helped propel their growth,” offering a glimpse of the conference’s long-term impact.
Adding a sporting twist, FC Barcelona’s Barca Innovation Hub will host a dedicated space at the event, providing its network of start-ups with a global platform to showcase their projects.
The variety of initiatives set to be showcased highlights the breadth of innovation on display at 4YFN Doha, which offers attendees a front-row view of breakthroughs shaping the technology landscape.
Ultimately, Hoffman hopes attendees leave “feeling inspired, whether it’s through discovering an exciting new start-up, attending a thought-provoking session, or meeting a potential investor that ignites a new journey”.
For him, 4YFN is where the “future of technology takes shape.”
Explore a vision of the city of THE FUTURE
Running alongside MWC25, Smart City Expo Doha provides a space to discover new technologies and share ideas about how to create a sustainable future for urban environments.
It will be the event’s fourth edition in the city and will feature more than 40 speakers outlining international and local experiences.
Smart City Expo Doha will cover five core themes: digital smart innovation; disruptive technology; digital economies and the talent of the future; connected infrastructure and government of the future.
It is organised by Fira de Barcelona in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
This must-see event is part of an international programme held by Fira de Barcelona which also includes editions in USA, Brazil and Shanghai alongside its main event in its home city.
