Hayfa Al Abdulla, Innovation Director at Qatar Science & Technology Park
Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s leading organisations continue to collaborate to build a successful innovation platform in Qatar, which will support young tech enthusiasts, startups and entrepreneurs in the region and beyond, remarked an official.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Hayfa Al Abdulla, Innovation Director at Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) said: “We are focusing mainly on those entrepreneurs who established their tech startups in Qatar as we have seen huge progress throughout the years within the technology sector and our support continues to boost the sector.”
She noted that young innovators in the technology realm are attending numerous events such as the recently concluded Web Summit Qatar for collaboration and enhancing their growth and innovation.
QSTP, a key accelerator, incubator, and innovation hub for tech-product development, has been a key player over the decade providing support for entrepreneurs and innovators in the country. She said, “Partaking in events hosted by Qatar helps us to highlight the success stories of entrepreneurs and innovators here in Qatar and the region, and those who need support, in particular, to reach a point where their technology products are reaching worldwide.”
“I think one of the biggest things we have seen throughout the Web Summit is the connection it establishes between different stakeholders, with investors, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders,” Al Abdulla said.
She underscored that various Qatari entities are announcing certain programmes and incentives each year, offering the “right support and environment” for people to succeed.
The innovation director highlighted that QSTP will announce different collaborations throughout the year, bolstering dynamic tech entrepreneurs to expand or establish their presence in the country. She said “In collaboration with big tech entities, we aim to promote successful startups and entrepreneurs and allow them to be part of this platform and connect to investors.
“We are proud to take part in tech events hosted by the country and help startups and innovators launch their products and platforms and contribute to the growing sector,” Al Abdulla added.
QSTP, a member of the Qatar Foundation, served as a diamond event partner at this year’s Web Summit Qatar. As a key contributor to Qatar’s innovation ecosystem, QSTP set up a prominent booth (E436) at the event, highlighting its extensive range of programmes for both local and international tech startups and companies. Over 50 startups supported by QSTP participated at various designated stations, including Cytomate, Sustainable Carbon, Kamkalima, Monet, Karty, and Naseh. These startups showcased innovative solutions across sectors like cybersecurity, sustainability, ed-tech, fintech, and legal.
During the largest tech gathering, QSTP also collaborated with Invest Qatar’s Startup Qatar initiative, offering participating startups a variety of incentives.
These included fully subsidised co-working space at QSTP, logistical support for product and equipment shipping, and opportunities to showcase their products at QSTP booths during industry events.
