Doha: Exciting new tech start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures in Qatar are set to be given fresh impetus after Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation (QF RDI), recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Doha-based Innovation Café.
The Café is an innovation and design thinking studio set up with an aim to provide the right opportunities, guidance and support to help businesses start up and thrive in Qatar. It is a unique concept that focuses on transforming organizations through competitive research, implementing business innovation tools, and designing service maps.
The pact has three main objectives – to collectively boost entrepreneurial activity in Qatar; to jointly identify the needs for creating an enabling environment for start-ups to thrive; and to support and promote start-ups by providing mentorship and comprehensive information on innovation and tech-development programs.
Commenting on the two-year collaboration, QSTP Executive Director, Mr. Yousef Al Salehi, said: “Being part of a nationwide ecosystem of research, development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, it is important that we identify synergies and leverage them to effectively support our tech innovators and entrepreneurs to address local market needs while also making a global impact.
“As Qatar’s premier hub for technology development and innovation, QSTP provides the ideal environment encompassing infrastructure, programs, funding, networks, and pathways to make this happen. We are delighted to link-up with our partners at the Innovation Café to accomplish the important objectives of our MoU.”
Several activities have been planned under the terms of the contract to see it succeed in its principal intentions. Among them, the QSTP and Innovation Café brands will be leveraged in incubator events, workshops, bootcamps, hackathons, and pitching sessions. Efforts will also be made to extend expertise in terms of technology, knowledge and management aspects to strengthen the ecosystem. Additionally, both parties have agreed to support applicants by providing access to workspace, machinery, and infrastructure alongside funding and investment opportunities per relevant program criteria, as well as mentoring and other necessary professional support.
There will also be mutual participation in events, as well as workshops and pitching sessions as knowledge-sharing partners. Innovation Café will also offer a 25% discount on marketing services such as branding, digital media and social media management for start-ups incubated at QSTP.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Innovation Café, Mr. Ramzan Rashid Al Naimi, added: “We are really glad to sign this MoU with QSTP. This cooperation aims to serve and empower the entrepreneurs in the State of Qatar by leveraging the national entrepreneurial ecosystem which supports innovation in various aspects. It is also in line with the efforts to enhance the importance of the knowledge-based economy in Qatar and to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030.
“The MoU stipulates that the two institutions will have regular consultations, exchange of information, experiences, and cooperation in various fields to support start-ups and small and medium-sized companies. Also, we agreed to implement innovative programs and initiatives that have a tremendous impact on the entrepreneurial community in the country.”
The Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) ecosystem of QF was created to place Qatar at the forefront of scientific research and technological advancement, addressing national needs while generating global impact. A centerpiece of this ecosystem is QSTP.
-Ends-
Qatar Science & Technology Park
Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation (QF RDI), is a Free Zone, accelerator and incubator for tech-product development in Qatar. The park fosters an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Qatar that works to accelerate commercialization of market-ready technologies to realize Qatar’s national diversification drive.
QSTP’s focus ranges across four overarching themes, comprising Energy, Environment, Health Sciences and Information & Communication Technologies (ICT), in line with the Qatar National Research Strategy announced in 2012.
Located in Qatar Foundation's Education City, QSTP has access to the vital resources of a cluster of leading research universities. Members of QSTP’s Free Zone include Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), international corporations and research institutions. They are collectively committed to investing in new technology development programs, creating intellectual property, enhancing technology management skills and developing innovative new products.
QSTP supports QF RDI’s economic and human development objectives for Qatar and is increasingly recognized as an international hub for applied research, innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship.
For more information, please visit the QSTP website at www.qstp.org.qa
Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation (QF RDI)
The Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation (QF RDI) division’s role is to play an integral part in identifying and addressing challenges and opportunities across ICT, energy, environment and healthcare, in alignment with Qatar’s national RDI strategy and priorities. QF RDI is at the forefront of Qatar’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, accelerating economic development through supporting the commercialization of market-ready technologies and facilitating the creation of new high-tech products and services.
QF RDI is responsible for translating Qatar’s national RDI strategy into specific initiatives and actions for Qatar Foundation’s (QF) RDI entities. It also directs their efforts in relation to economic value creation, knowledge transfer and the establishment of mutually beneficial national and international RDI partnerships. To ensure these efforts deliver maximum impact, the QF Vice President for Research, Development and Innovation plans, coordinates and oversees all RDI-related activities across QF.
Qatar Foundation – Unlocking Human Potential
Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) is a non-profit organization that supports Qatar on its journey to becoming a diversified and sustainable economy. QF strives to serve the people of Qatar and beyond by providing specialized programs across its innovation-focused ecosystem of education, research and development and community development.
QF was founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Amir, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, who shared the vision to provide Qatar with quality education. Today, QF’s world-class education system offers lifelong learning opportunities to community members as young as six months through to doctoral level, enabling graduates to thrive in a global environment and contribute to the nation’s development.
QF is also creating a multidisciplinary innovation hub in Qatar, where homegrown researchers are working to address local and global challenges. By promoting a culture of lifelong learning and fostering social engagement through programs that embody Qatari culture, QF is committed to empowering the local community and contributing to a better world for all.
For a complete list of QF’s initiatives and projects, please visit: www.qf.org.qa
For any media inquiries, please contact: pressoffice@qf.org.qa
Innovation Café
Innovation Café is a unique concept that focuses on transforming organizations through comprehensive research, implementing business innovation tools and designing service maps. We aim to become ‘The Hub' of creative action for entrepreneurship and business in Qatar and we have designed space for enterprises and associations to conduct events, workshops, hackathon, etc. Moreover, our time is dedicated to provide opportunities and inspire the community to believe that anything is possible with guidance and support.
For more information, please visit the Innovation Café website: https://innovationcafe.qa/
© Press Release 2021
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
