Enterprise Qatar announces new partnership with TechWadi to launch 'Technology Incubator'

Representatives from The Qatar National Research Fund, Qatar Computing Research Institute, The General Secretariat for Development Planning, ICT Qatar, Qatar Foundation, Selatech, Qatar Science and Technology Park, Qatar First Investment Bank, Al Jazeera, Microfsoft, I Horizon, Qatar University and Carnegie Mellon Qatar University have also attended the workshop.

A High-Impact initiative
Enterprise Qatar's incubation programme will be launched in April 2013. It aims to create a healthy business-entrepreneurial ecosystem in Qatar; build bridges to Silicon Valley through mentorship, education, and financing; and accelerate the progress of thousands of local and regional entrepreneurs, transforming Qatar into a regional hub for technology entrepreneurial ventures.

Select entrepreneurs from around the Arab region are invited to join the incubator and benefit from a state-of-the-art ecosystem built on four key pillars: infrastructure (workspace facilities, support and connectivity), networks (partnerships, mentors, and promotion), business expansion (legal, accounting and marketing services), and training (regular CEO talks, community meetings, workshops, quarterly mentor boot-camps and investment forums.)

Mentors and business leaders assist entrepreneurs gain access to Silicon Valley resources. Every year, two waves of 5-10 qualified entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to access to the world's leading technology experts in a branded Qatari Pavilion in Silicon Valley. Graduates from the acceleration programme are eligible for subsequent seed financing from Enterprise Qatar and local venture capital partners to expand their businesses across Qatar and GCC.


Why a Technology Incubation Programme?
In line with Qatar Vision 2030, Enterprise Qatar is committed to building a knowledge-based economy. Enterprise Qatar aims at developing a smarter business base in Qatar, raising companies' efficiency and improving the chances of success for emerging, dynamic technology businesses. In addition, the programme positively impacts human development and widens the scope for employment opportunities for Qatari youths.

Noora Al-Mannai, CEO of Enterprise Qatar, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative to the nation's prosperity, since technology is a key resource for economic growth.

"Enterprise Qatar is dedicated to creating an entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem that can support the growth of the Qatari economy in line with the National Vision 2030. Our incubation programme will catalyse would be entrepreneurs and SMEs with genuine potential but that need to adopt best practices to flourish. To that end, we are partnering with Silicon-Valley based TechWadi to help us with mentorship, business acceleration and access to capital. Enterprise Qatar is the first in the region to establish such a programme," she said.

"We are delighted to be partnering with Enterprise Qatar," said Dr. Ossama Hassanein, Chairman of TechWadi. "Our philanthropic endeavours are largely dedicated to assisting Arab youths and entrepreneurs address the most challenging aspects of building successful technology companies. Start-ups are the seeds of innovation that not only create jobs but also create wealth and help improve the global standard of living. Enterprise Qatar's is a laudable initiative; we are committed to help it succeed," he added.