Startup Grind Doha hosted its All Star Pitch Battle at Qatar Chamber in Lusail, bringing together more than 150 members of the entrepreneurial community. The event showcased Qatar’s vibrant startup ecosystem, highlighting innovation, creativity, and ambition.
From 51 applicants, 21 startups were selected to pitch in front of investors, experts, and peers. The competition is part of the global Startup Grind program, held in more than 150 cities worldwide.
Winners of the Pitch Battle
After a closely contested evening, the judges announced the following winners:
- First Place: Be My Sense – Won $1,500 and a trophy. The startup will represent Qatar in the regional semi-finals.
- Second Place: PitchPro.me – Recognized for its strong pitch and growth potential.
- Third Place: paintit.ai – Acknowledged for innovation in creative technology.
- Most Creative Pitch Award: Meta Souq – Celebrated for originality and fresh thinking.
Be My Sense: A Standout Solution
Be My Sense impressed the panel with its AI-powered sign language translation platform. The solution aims to break communication barriers for the hearing-impaired in:
- Education
- Entertainment
- Everyday communication
By focusing on accessibility, the startup is addressing a global challenge and positioning Qatar as a hub for inclusive digital innovation.
Building Qatar’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
The event was made possible through strong partnerships:
- Youth Entrepreneurship Club (YEC) – Supporting and empowering young founders.
- Qatar Chamber – Hosting the event at its prestigious Lusail venue.
- Builders VC MENA – Serving as the official sponsor, reinforcing commitment to regional startups.
Tarik Sultan of Builders VC MENA noted that the competition highlighted solutions with potential to scale globally. Abdulrahman Tariq Al Emadi of YEC emphasized that such platforms strengthen confidence, inspire innovation, and build the foundations of a dynamic ecosystem.
Judges and Insights
A distinguished panel of ecosystem leaders evaluated the pitches, including representatives from:
- Builders VC
- A_Typical Ventures
- Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP)
- Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
- EBAN GCC
- Kaic
- Alchemist Doha
Their collective expertise provided startups with valuable feedback and guidance for growth.
A Celebration of Innovation
Indica Amarasinghe, Director of Startup Grind Doha, described the event as a celebration of talent and creativity. By providing founders with visibility and global connections, the Pitch Battle reinforced Qatar’s position as a rising hub for entrepreneurship.
The success of Be My Sense and the strength of the other participants underline Qatar’s progress in building a globally competitive startup ecosystem, aligned with its national vision for innovation and economic diversification.