You might be thinking –
“Why would I start up in Qatar? Isn’t Qatar’s economy mainly based on petroleum and natural gas?”
… and you would be right – Qatar’s economy (one of the richest in the world based on GDP per capita) is indeed mainly based on petroleum and natural gas. And that’s exactly why you should consider starting a new venture here.
Let me explain. 10 years ago the State of Qatar launched a development plan called Qatar National Vision 2030, with the main goal being “to transform Qatar into an advanced society capable of achieving sustainable development”. In other words, they aim to shift toward a knowledge-based economy by 2030.
What does it mean for you?
Well, basically that multiple initiatives are funded with the aim of creating an entrepreneurial mindset, streamlining innovation and helping entrepreneurs start their local ventures.
Many of these initiatives are world-class and very generous, with no strings attached and definitely worth trying out. Here are a few great examples.
Digital Incubation Center
DIC was created by the Qatari Ministry of Transport and Communication in order to help local entrepreneurs in the early stages of starting or growing a technology-related business.
They offer free office space, technical support, training and mentorship in various areas. Although DIC doesn’t directly provide funding, it provides good exposure, connects startups with its investor network and helps with obtaining funding through various financial institutions such as the Qatar Development Bank.
Two main tracks are available:
Startup track is a two-year program structured around the key milestones that one must hit when taking a startup from prototype to registered business in Qatar and then enabling business growth.
IDEA camp is a 5-week program for entrepreneurs, developers, and designers who have a great idea for a technology solution. Although DIC is particularly interested in Blockchain, 3D printing, and IoT, ideas from all areas of technological innovation are welcome.
Applications for IDEA camp are currently open (until 13th of October). I’ll have the pleasure of conducting a prototyping workshop with the teams and providing some mentorship in UI and UX. If you have an idea, I really encourage you to sign up!
DIC is not only about its startup programs. It’s a place where entrepreneurs meet, get inspired and learn from each other. Definitely not something you can achieve by developing your idea in the comfort (and isolation!) of your own home.
It’s also a great place to co-work. If you’re an entrepreneur or freelancer you can pop into their beautiful co-working space anytime and work there for free! The location is probably the best out of all the alternative local incubation centers – next to West Bay, Doha’s business district, with a view over the Corniche and the breathtaking bay with all the dhows.
Last but not least – from my personal experience – it’s the friendliest and most responsive incubation center. The coordinators are always available to provide guidance and answer queries. Might seem like an obvious thing, but if you’ve been living in the Middle East you might have already noticed that responsiveness is not necessarily one of the local virtues.
Qatar Science and Technology Park
QSTP is part of Qatar Foundation, home to the international technology companies and an incubator of start-up technology businesses. It’s also Qatar’s first free-trade zone.
Attend one of their events and you’ll be astonished by the generous and luxurious hospitality. Take a walk around their facilities, admire their architecture and you’ll feel that innovation is part of their DNA.
I don’t know how QSTP and other Qatar Foundation institutions do it, but they have the ability to make me dream. My heart beats faster, I want to reach higher and achieve more. All this seems to be perfectly in line with Qatar Foundation’s mission to “Unlock human potential”.
QSTP has two accelerator programs:
Doha DOJO is a Series A accelerator set up in partnership with 500 Startups. This three-month investment program provides intensive one-on-one training and mentoring. It runs once a year and is addressed to tech startups that have already raised funding from other investors and want to scale up. Great mentors help startups to progress in areas such as customer acquisition, growth hacking, distribution, referral and content marketing, SEO, UX, conversion optimization and even pitching to investors.
So far two successful editions have helped multiple local companies secure series A investments. The next edition hasn’t yet been announced, but will hopefully take place from April 2019.
XLR8 is QSTP’s signature 2-month program aiming to take early-stage tech-based products and services from the idea stage to a validated minimum viable product. It relies mainly on training and mentorship in the areas of product-market fit, customer traction and attracting investors.
XLR8 runs twice a year. Applications for the cycle 7 are open until September 22.
Accelerator programs at QSTP are a great step towards incubation. And one of the key aspects differentiating QSTP from other incubation centers is that you don’t need a local Qatari partner to establish a company. Their mentality is about attracting talent and ideas from across the globe, and through that growing the country’s knowledge base and reputation across the board.
Qatar Business Incubation Center
QBIC is definitely one of the most active organizations developing Qatar’s entrepreneurial scene. It’s two main startup programs, LeanStartup and LeanScaleup run several times during the year.
After a successful application process, potential incubatees are invited for an interview and if qualified, they either proceed directly to incubation or take part in a 10 week Lean Startup acceleration program, focusing on turning ideas into real businesses.
The main difference between QBIC and other accelerators?
You do need an active Qatari partner on your team in order to apply even for the early stage mentorship program. But at the same time, you can get seed funding for the first 3 months up to QAR 100,000 for customer validation and prototype development. And all that with no strings attached.
For startups that make it to the next stage of the program (acceleration stage from the 3rd to the 12th month), further financing is available (equity financing up to QAR 200,000).
In total, startups can benefit from QBIC’s support (including office space) for up to 3 years. This means 2 years of incubation and 1 year post graduation from the incubation program.
Their remote location in Doha’s industrial area might not be appealing, and the necessity to have a Qatari partner might at first be an obstacle for many residents (Qatari startupers, where are you??), but the lean startup program and financing opportunities are unbeatable.
This remote location is only seemingly inconvenient. QBIC highly encourages startups involved in manufacturing and industrial production – so being in the heart of the industrial area is gold.
And then there’s also QBIC Fab Lab next door. Probably the best place in Qatar if you need digital fabrication guidance and services, or even if you just enjoy experimenting! You can find out more in one of my previous posts – fabulous fab labs.
Applications for the next cycle of LeanStartup acceleration program are available here.
And there’s more
The Digital Incubation Center, Qatar Science and Technology Park and the Qatar Business Incubation Center are only examples of places where you can get started. Multiple other initiatives take places and encourage entrepreneurs to establish something on their own.
Universities such as Carnegie Mellon Qatar run startup programs open to college students from all universities in Qatar.
Qatar Development Bank (QDB) supports new ventures and runs startup competitions (Al Fikra). QDB even launched an ambitious program ‘Entrepreneurship Leave Program’ which will allow government employees to take paid leave from their jobs for launching startups or to pursue their business ideas as full-time entrepreneurs.
Last year’s political developments put the Qatari startup ecosystem in question. Qatar has been isolated by its neighboring countries and many companies were forced to radically change their business model in order to survive in the new reality.
One year later we see that aside from the initial chaos and necessary adjustments, the new political situation has only served to reinforced local ventures and had a positive impact on startup growth and opportunities overall.
Nothing to lose. A lot to gain.
Unlike many of their European or American counterparts, Qatari startup programs don’t come with an obligation to set up a company. They offer a great opportunity to develop and validate your prototype and make connections.
Now is also a really good time to benefit from the state-funded initiatives and to take advantage of the local economy (consumer buying power in Qatar is really high!).
Qatar welcomes innovation and hands you a plethora of opportunities to contribute to the local startup ecosystem. This year I’m supporting multiple initiatives as a mentor in the areas of prototyping, user experience, user interface, and service design. But the more I discover the opportunities the more I’m inclined to start my own venture soon in the cycles to come.