- Uzbekistan-based startup Breshna emerges as the first-ever winner from Uzbekistan in the Web Summit Qatar startup competition, showcasing global competitiveness.
- Breshna’s mission to democratize game development garners attention, offering users tools to create, share, and monetize video games without prior coding knowledge, with a user base of 175,000.
- Breshna’s success highlights the growing prominence of startups from emerging markets, emphasizing the significance of visibility and innovation in the global startup landscape, while Qatar reinforces its position as a hub for tech innovation through substantial investments and events like the Web Summit Qatar.
Breshna emerged victorious in the Web Summit Qatar startup competition PITCH, powered by Jusour, making history as the first-ever winner from Uzbekistan. The competition saw stiff competition from global contenders, with Uzbekistan-based financial services company IMAN and UK-based healthcare solutions business Rhazes securing the runner-up positions.
Mariam Nusrat, founder and CEO of Breshna, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing the significance of such moments in a founder’s journey. She highlighted the importance of visibility in amplifying the impact of their mission, stating, “This kind of visibility is cool.”
Breshna’s mission revolves around empowering users to create, share, and monetize their video games without prior coding or game design knowledge. With a network of 175,000 users, the platform offers a game-maker editor, an AI-powered text-to-game engine, and a Web3-enabled metaverse.
Mariam commended the quality of her fellow competitors, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to share the stage with them. Rejecting a competitive mindset, she emphasized the inspiration drawn from hearing diverse ideas during the competition.
Founded two years ago, Breshna has garnered significant support, raising approximately US$2.5 million from investors including Paris Hilton and Randi Zuckerberg.
The judging panel comprised Amin Matni of Jusour, Zach Coelius from Coelius Capital, Soumaya Ben Beya Dridje from Rasmal Ventures, and Rama Chakaki from Transform VC – all prominent figures in the investment and startup ecosystem.
The competition was open to ALPHA and BETA startups that had received less than €5 million in funding. PITCH, powered by Jusour, serves as a platform for early-stage startups to showcase their potential, with 40 finalists selected from 1,043 startups participating in this year’s event.
Web Summit Qatar attracted 15,453 attendees from 118 countries to its inaugural event, with 1,043 startups participating in the program. Over three days, attendees engaged in masterclasses, investor meetings, competition rounds, and networking events across Doha’s vibrant neighbourhoods.
The event also featured His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani – Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs – who announced a US$1 billion investment into an international and regional VC fund. Led by the Qatar Investment Authority, this initiative aims to bolster innovation and enhance the tech ecosystem in the country.
Breshna’s triumph at the Web Summit Qatar startup competition underscores the growing prominence of startups from emerging markets. With a mission to democratize game development, Breshna exemplifies the spirit of innovation driving the global startup landscape. The event’s success further solidifies Qatar’s position as a hub for technological advancement and investment in the region.
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