Welcome to Qatar's exciting startup scene, where innovation meets opportunity in the heart of the Arabian Gulf. In recent years, Qatar has seen a tremendous increase in entrepreneurial activity, driven by the commitment to diversify its economy and create an innovative culture. For founders and startups wishing to enter the Qatari startup environment, joining a startup incubator or accelerator may provide several benefits and pave the road for long-term growth and success. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of startup incubators and accelerators in Qatar. They have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation', 'launch', or 'growth' stages, so you can take a pick at one that suits you best!
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Topics Covered:
Full List of Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Qatar
Closing Thoughts on Joining a Startup Incubator or Accelerator in Qatar
FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN QATAR
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Qatar
The complete list of ideation phase incubators in Qatar:
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Ideacamp program is administered by Qatar's Digital Incubation Center (DIC), which is affiliated with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Its goal is to provide support for entrepreneurs, developers, and designers working on various technological solutions. The initiative aims to incubate promising entrepreneurs by offering operational and technical assistance, office space, training, and mentorship opportunities to help them flourish.
Startups accepted into the program gain valuable resources such as two years of office space, access to digital services, mentorship, and a potential cash reward of QR 300,000. The program emphasizes the use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and advanced analytics, to serve various sectors, including education, healthcare, sports tourism, agriculture, environment, and transportation, which aligns with Qatar's vision for digital innovation and economic diversification.
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
The Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) is an initiative that provides assistance to entrepreneurs and startups through a variety of programs, including incubators, accelerators, and investment opportunities. The center intends to support the growth of Qatar's pioneering companies and entrepreneurs by offering workspace, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to investors.
Notably, QBIC's flagship "Lean Startup Program" is an 11-week entrepreneurial journey centered on hands-on learning experiences for starting a business, with participants having the opportunity to raise a QAR 250,000 investment and gain access into a 1-year incubation program following successful completion. QBIC also provides critical tools, coaching sessions, and financial assistance to help companies accomplish their objectives.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) Incubation Center program is a technology-focused center designed to speed up the formation and growth of potential digital firms in Qatar. The initiative provides rapid incorporation into the QSTP Free Zone, co-working space, business facilitation, mentorship, financing programs, training, and prototype facilities.
The program is accessible to Qatari nationals and residents who are committed to the success of their business and have a solid grasp of product development, with at least one founder working full-time on the enterprise. The ultimate goal is to help startups develop effective global solutions using breakthrough technologies.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Fashion & Design
Scale7, established by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) in collaboration with M7, is Qatar's first fashion and design incubator, aimed at promoting, developing, and fostering the country's creative sector. The program provides an incubation program and an acceleration Program, both of which are intended to help aspiring and bright designers turn their ideas into viable enterprises and accelerate the growth of their businesses.
The incubation program lasts three months and offers training, coaching, and networking opportunities to help creative entrepreneurs launch real-world enterprises and brands. The 3-month acceleration program, on the other hand, is targeted at promising designers and companies, providing seminars, coaching, mentorship, and access to a network of experts and investors to help them scale their businesses and increase their income. Scale7 also offers access to cutting-edge studios such as a digital fabrication lab, photography studio, fashion studio, and jewellery studio, providing participants with the resources they need for their creative efforts.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Qatar
The complete list of launch phase incubators and accelerators in Qatar:
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder / Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Founder Institute, an internationally acclaimed business accelerator, has opened its program in Qatar. The institute's goal is to help entrepreneurs develop their unique ideas into financially viable enterprises and, eventually, worldwide corporations. The program offers a structured approach for businesses, as well as support from Qatar's top investors and entrepreneurs, access to a worldwide startup founder network, and ties to the world's biggest startup advisor community.
The program's core accelerator, recognized for its intense growth sprints and regular feedback, assists startups in meeting the milestones required for funding and long-term success. With a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs obtain billions in investment, Founder Institute enables founders to establish transformative digital firms, providing an important platform for startups in Qatar to flourish and prosper.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Tasmu Accelerator program, an initiative of Smart Qatar (Tasmu) and managed by Ooredoo Qatar, is committed to cultivating Qatar's innovation ecosystem in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030. The initiative aims to empower innovative businesses with breakthrough ideas that will alter the healthcare, environmental, and logistics industries. Over a 6-month period, the accelerator will assist 20 startups in addressing issues provided by major accelerator stakeholders. Participating entrepreneurs will get access to resources, market players, skills, talents, and technologies to help them reach this goal.
The program provides numerous benefits, including a $50,000 funding boost, direct access to the Qatari market via the Tasmu Platform, the necessary tools and software for success, and membership in the Smart Nation Ecosystem. The Tasmu Accelerator's strategic positioning aims to supplement companies with important local market insights and industry experience, supporting their successful entry and expansion into the Qatari market.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The Digital Incubation Center (DIC) in Qatar provides a comprehensive Startup Track program that guides entrepreneurs through the essential phases of growth. This two-year program is designed to help entrepreneurs progress from the early prototype stage to become fully registered businesses in Qatar. DIC offers companies free office space, technical help, training, coaching, mentoring, and public relations exposure.
The program's goal is to foster and build new firms by providing knowledge, professional supervision, and key services that ensure startups' long-term viability and market success. Startups are supported throughout critical stages of company planning, education, legal guidance, and technology services to further enhance the startup's growth prospects.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sports
The Sport Accelerator, launched by Qatar SportsTech, aims to develop Doha into a prominent sports hub while also contributing to Qatar's diversification ambitions through corporate startup partnerships. The program invites 10 entrepreneurs to participate in a three-month intense accelerator program at Aspire Zone, the heart of sports in Qatar. Through the program, startups benefit from exclusive access to prototype and test laboratories, engagement with global partners and industry leaders, specialized seminars, one-on-one mentorship sessions, and hands-on assistance from specialists. The program also culminates in a Demo Day event, where startups may exhibit their projects to potential investors, partners, and the press.
The program also includes a pre-accelerator inititiative for Qatar citizens, which bridges the gap between idea stage concepts and accelerator-ready firms, allowing entrepreneurs to develop skill sets, validate assumptions, form winning teams, and launch their company in the local market. Qatar SportsTech's strategic collaborations with prominent sports organizations and brands provide startups with valuable assistance and access to the entire sports and entrepreneurial ecosystems in Qatar, making it a significant platform for businesses in the sports technology field.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The XLR8 program, organized by Qatar Science & Technology Park, is a 10-week intensive training and mentoring program aimed at assisting bright innovators in turning their tech-based ideas into commercially viable enterprises. The program helps entrepreneurs to gain the skills they need to analyze market fit, achieve consumer traction, and increase investor awareness, as well as access to a network of mentors, coaches, and world-class workspaces.
Eligible teams with tech-based product or service ideas can benefit from the program's resources to assess their idea's viability, creating an atmosphere conducive to entrepreneurial growth. Key benefits of the program include grant funding, a new 'Ideation Module' for idea validation, acess to a speaker network, and potential for extensive market testing and business model refining.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: EdTech
The WISE Accelerator in Qatar seeks to support early-stage edtech startups by offering a platform for scaling and revolutionizing education. This one-year program provides participants with access to a worldwide network of investors and education professionals, as well as personalized coaching and mentorship revolving topics around marketing, sales, fundraising, and product planning experts. Successful enterprises can also obtain international exposure through WISE's global platforms and events.
The program is targeted at edtech ventures that have been in operation for at least one year, have current beneficiaries, income, a team, and a product that has progressed beyond the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) phase. Selected startups benefit from the assistance and mentoring essential to address difficulties in education and scale their potential effect, eventually contributing to the progress of Qatar's edtech industry.
Who is it for: Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Technology
The ELV8 program, developed by Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) in collaboration with Plug and Play, is a ground-breaking 12-month growth accelerator aimed at propelling Qatar-based digital firms into new worldwide markets. It provides participating ventures access to mentorship, investment opportunities, and incubation at one of Plug and Play's 30 worldwide accelerators, with the goal of boosting their growth and client base in the chosen foreign market.
The program's goal is to boost the economic growth of local businesses and strengthen Qatar's standing in the global digital entrepreneurship environment. Successful businesses receive funding from QSTP's Tech Venture Fund and the option to keep a portion of their activities in Doha, helping to expand and deepen the local RDI ecosystem. The ELV8 initiative exemplifies QSTP's dedication to fostering local innovation via international collaboration, eventually benefiting the next generation of technology leaders and diversifying Qatar's economy.
Closing Thoughts on Joining a Startup Accelerator or Incubator in Qatar
Qatar's startup landscape offers a favorable environment for prospective entrepreneurs and startups seeking opportunities, growth, and innovation. As the Qatari startup ecosystem evolves, the prospect of joining a startup incubator or accelerator becomes more appealing. Joining a startup incubator or accelerator in Qatar may provide the essential support, resources, and chances to propel startup success, making it an appealing option for entrepreneurs looking to establish and expand their ventures in the region.