Qatar is consolidating its position as a regional innovation hub through a comprehensive network of incubation, acceleration, and investment programs covering the full startup lifecycle. These initiatives support founders from ideation through growth and scale, across technology, fintech, creative industries, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and research commercialization. Led by public institutions, development banks, universities, and global strategic partners, Qatar’s startup ecosystem reflects a coordinated national effort to translate innovation into sustainable economic and societal impact.
Alchemist Doha – Alchemist Accelerator
Formed through a strategic partnership between MCIT and Silicon Valley’s Alchemist Accelerator, this program focuses exclusively on high-growth B2B enterprise tech. It aims to relocate 12 global startups annually to Qatar, providing them with dedicated co-working spaces at the Digital Incubation Center (DIC) and deep integration into the national innovation ecosystem via the Innolight platform.
Digital Incubation Center (DIC – MCIT)
Under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Digital Incubation Center provides structured incubation with multiple entry points:
- IdeaCamp: An intensive, short-term program to refine and validate early business ideas.
- Startup Track: Full incubation support for early-stage tech startups, including mentorship, business training, operational support, and workspace access.
- Growth Track: A second-stage, acceleration-oriented track for startups with initial traction, focusing on scaling operations and strategic planning.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Programs
HBKU contributes to Qatar’s innovation ecosystem through specialized support that connects research with entrepreneurship:
- REYADA: An entrepreneurship program enabling innovators within HBKU and Qatar Foundation to develop and commercialize business ideas with mentorship, training, and eligibility for seed funding.
- MIJHAR: A commercialization and tech entrepreneurship program supporting researchers in transforming research outputs into market-ready ventures via training and investor readiness planning.
Invest Qatar & Startup Qatar Investment Program
Invest Qatar, in collaboration with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), leads the Startup Qatar Investment Program — a national investment initiative designed to attract and scale tech startups in Qatar. The program offers tiered funding: up to $1.1 million (START track) for startups launching in Qatar and up to $5.5 million (GROW track) for scaling ventures, released in milestone-based tranches. Supported benefits include licensing and visa support, subsidized workspace, housing support, access to talent, R&D grants, mentoring, and market entry support across high-growth sectors including AI & ML, fintech, HealthTech, and climate technology.
Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH)
Established by Qatar Development Bank and aligned with the National FinTech Strategy, Qatar FinTech Hub accelerates fintech innovation through structured development pathways:
- Incubation Program: track for early-stage fintechs with MVPs, covering business modeling, regulatory guidance, and investor exposure.
- Acceleration Program: track for later-stage fintechs with existing traction, focusing on scaling strategies, partnership building, regulatory compliance, and access to strategic partners and capital.
Qatar University – Shell Intilaaqah
A collaboration between Qatar University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Shell Qatar, this program is part of the global Shell LiveWIRE initiative. It offers an intensive eight-week training cycle in both Arabic and English designed to build an entrepreneurial mindset in Qatari youth, providing them with the business modeling and soft skills needed to launch successful ventures.
Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC)
Operated under Qatar Development Bank, QBIC is one of the longest-standing and largest incubators in the region, supporting founders from pre-seed to growth. Its key offerings include:
- Pre-Accelerator Program: hands-on program focusing on problem-solution fit, customer validation, MVP development, and pitching readiness.
- Acceleration Program: a growth accelerator for startups with traction, focusing on scaling, fundraising readiness, and investor showcases.
QDB’s Industrial Program
Beyond technology incubation, Qatar Development Bank also offers:
- Jahiz Industrial Incubation Program: Industrial incubation with ready-built manufacturing facilities and integrated support services for SMEs and manufacturing ventures.
Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP)
QSTP — part of Qatar Foundation — delivers a diversified portfolio of support programs that bridge innovation, research, and commercialization. The flagship activities include:
- Incub8: A year-long, in-person incubation program helping tech startups refine products, achieve product-market fit, scale, and prepare for fundraising.
- Accelerators: Including FemTech, AgriTech, and WaterTech accelerators aimed at growth-stage deep tech and sustainability startups. These programs offer mentorship, pilot opportunities, partner connections, and region-wide scaling pathways.
Risin Ventures – Risin Deep Tech
This specialized program focuses on co-creation and building ventures from the ground up, specifically targeting AI, Blockchain, and IoT. It bridges the gap between academic research and commercial applications by providing deep technical mentoring, Go-To-Market (GTM) training, and operational support. The program uniquely leverages strong regional connections between Qatar and India to facilitate market entry and scaling for disruptive deep tech startups.
Scale7 by Qatar Development Bank
Scale7 specializes in supporting creative and digital startups with offerings across:
- Pre-Acceleration Program: Go-to-market validation, customer testing, growth strategy development, and pitch preparation.
- Acceleration Program: Growth support for market-ready ventures with emphasis on revenue growth, operational scaling, and investment readiness.
- Labs Residency: An immersive residency for entrepreneurs in creative sectors to build foundational entrepreneurial skillsets and present ideas to investors or partners.
TASMU Accelerator
Aligned with the national digital transformation agenda, the TASMU Accelerator is a six-month, zero-equity growth program supporting startups in sectors including mobility, logistics, healthcare, environment, and smart cities. It provides tailored mentorship, training, market entry pathways, investor exposure, and funding prizes designed to accelerate deployment and growth.
University of Doha for Science & Technology (UDST) – UHUB
A university-based incubator supporting students, alumni, and faculty in transforming academic research into viable businesses. It provides specialized entrepreneurship training, business model validation, and commercialization guidance. Founders gain access to seed grants, investor networks, and ecosystem partners, helping them move from the ideation stage toward early market traction and entry.
WISE Edtech Accelerator
An initiative of the World Innovation Summit for Education (Qatar Foundation), this accelerator supports global and local startups through specialized growth tracks. The program provides $50,000 worth of non-equity support, expert coaching, and access to the "Edtech Testbed," which allows founders to validate and refine their products directly within Qatari schools and learning environments.
Qatar’s startup ecosystem has evolved into a strategic, multi-layered support framework, bridging idea generation, incubation, acceleration, scaling, and investment. Public institutions, development banks, academic institutions, and global partners collaboratively provide a wide spectrum of programs that cater to diverse sectors — from fintech, deep tech, and digital platforms to creative industries and industrial innovation. This coordinated model not only nurtures local entrepreneurial talent but also attracts international startups seeking scaling opportunities in the MENA region. As Qatar continues to expand these initiatives and strengthen ecosystem linkages, its position as a leading hub for innovation and technology entrepreneurship is increasingly solidified.