MCIT concludes 11th Creative Ideas Camp
Doha
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), represented by the Digital Incubation Centre, has concluded the 11th edition of the Creative Ideas Camp program, which aims to support entrepreneurs in developing scalable technology startups.
This edition featured extensive participation from local and international startups, aiming to empower entrepreneurs in their early stages by providing them with the tools to transform their ideas into a fundable and implementable business model.
This edition marked the culmination of a series of successes, both in terms of the wide turnout, the quality of the projects incubated, and the program's positive impact in supporting digital innovation and strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The 11th edition received 374 applications, of which 79 startup projects were approved. These projects included 44 promising ideas from outside Qatar. Participants underwent eight intensive training workshops, in addition to more than 78 hours of individual mentorship by a select group of experts.This enabled them to develop their business models, test the feasibility of their ideas, and prepare to present them to investors.
In this context, Director of the Digital Innovation Department at the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology Eman Al Kuwari emphasized the importance of the Creative Ideas Camp program in empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
She said that the Creative Ideas Camp is a practical model that reflects the ministry's commitment to implementing the goals and pillars of the Digital Agenda 2030, by developing a national system for digital innovation and entrepreneurship capable of transforming promising ideas into applicable solutions that contribute to diversifying the national economy and enhancing its competitiveness.
She noted that investing in and enabling creative ideas is a strategic investment in the country's future digital innovation.
The current cycle saw a clear focus on projects that rely on modern technologies.
The accepted projects varied across various fields, such as educational technology, human resources technology, and health technology, with a focus on advanced and transformative technologies, primarily artificial intelligence.
Following a final round of judging, 15 startups were selected to join the Digital Business Incubator's incubation program, divided into two main tracks: the Growth Track and the Idea Track. These companies will begin a two-year incubation journey, during which they will benefit from free workspaces, specialized training, direct mentorship, and networking opportunities with partners and investors within Qatar's digital innovation ecosystem.
At a closing ceremony, the program awarded financial grants totalling QR550,000 to five outstanding startups in both tracks.
In the Growth Track, Cloudilic, the first-place winner, received a grant of QR150,000, while JerboLab, the second-place winner, received QR100,000.
In the Idea Track, Nashati, the first-place winner, received a grant of QR150,000, while Bionic_Soul, the second-place winner, received QR100,000, and ElafMart, the third-place winner, received a grant of QR50,000.
It's worth noting that the success of the 11th edition builds on the impressive track record of previous editions of the Creative Ideas Camp, which have supported hundreds of entrepreneurs and incubated dozens of startups that have become prominent in the digital innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem both inside and outside Qatar.
Since its inception, the Creative Ideas Camp program has served as an effective platform for accelerating the growth of startups through intensive training and specialized mentorship, enhancing their competitiveness and contributing to the building of a digital economy based on creativity and knowledge.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
7 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Laos braced for blow of Donald Trump tariff threat
Agencies Hawking clothes outside the garment factory where her daughter toils inside, a Laos vendor weighs US President Donald Trump's threat of trade tariffs that may soon snarl both their livelihoods. 'I just live day by day. For now, I still have my business, and the factory is operating as usual,' she told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity in the capital Vientiane. 'I'm not too worried about my daughter's job yet,' she added. Then again, she says: 'I don't know anything about what the US will decide.' Landlocked Laos -- a country of only eight million -- has a gloomy outlook as it counts down to a Friday deadline when Trump says a 40 per cent levy will kick in unless a trade deal is sealed. The rate is among the highest Trump has touted in his global tariff blitz, which has yielded a handful of deals with countries including Britain, Japan and Vietnam but left dozens others scrambling for a pact. Laos has limited exports, little leverage and supply chains deeply entwined with US trade rival China. The United States had a trade deficit of more than $760 million with Laos last year -- singling it out for steep tolls alongside other nations Trump sees as imbalanced business partners. 'A 40 percent tariff is just a nail in the coffin for any industry trying to ship to the United States,' said John F. Somers, head of garment manufacturing firm Diep Vu Co. Only a handful of factories, mostly in the capital, supply the US market and sales make up only between three and six percent of the country's gross domestic product. But with the Southeast Asian country already suffering from high inflation and a severe labour shortage, Trump's default tariff could still have a devastating effect, industry insiders say. 'We estimate about 20,000 workers or more could be impacted,' said Xaybandith Rasphone, head of the Association of the Lao Garment Industry. 'We're not certain about the exact number yet, but it could easily be higher if companies shut down,' said Xaybandith, who is also vice-president of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI). He warned between 35 and 40 factories could be affected if buyers are spooked by the tariffs. 'If the tariff stays in place, some factories will definitely close,' he said. 'Finding alternative markets takes time, negotiations and a lot of effort. It could take years.' Like neighbouring Cambodia and Vietnam, Laos is a hub of the garment industry -- producing brands for western markets including Dr. Martens. But the production of mattresses, silicone products and solar panels also stands to be impacted. Solar panel manufacturing has exploded in Laos since 2023 and driven up its export figures after Trump hit China with a 50 percent tariff on the renewable power sources. However the US trade offensive has focussed on 'transshipment' -- a practice it alleges some countries use to help China dodge American tariffs by repackaging its goods for American markets. Casey Tolzman, head of the Lao-American Business Association (LABA), said the explosion of Laos' solar industry had likely been 'a cause for suspicion' in Washington. Rules governing the source of materials and the level of Laotian labour required to define products as domestically produced may prove the country's biggest bargaining chip. 'A big question for countries like Cambodia and Laos is what they can offer the US that's attractive enough to reach a deal,' Tolzman said. 'Any deal would probably need to see Laos enforce stricter rules on transshipment and country of origin, to ensure products aren't just coming from China and getting a Laos label slapped on.' The US may also ask Vientiane to crack down on internet scam centres targeting wealthy Americans from compounds in Laos, or seek concessions for American goods to enter the market, he added. The LABA and LNCCI say they are helping the government draft an appeal asking for tariffs to drop back to previous levels, or at least be capped at 20 percent. But Diep Vu Co boss Somers warns even if Laos manages to reach a deal with Washington, a bigger test soon lies is on track to graduate from 'Least Developed Country' status next year, meaning it is set to lose duty-free access to the European Union -- dealing another blow. 'We'll be at a competitive disadvantage, our industry will probably collapse within a few years,' Somers warned.
Qatar Tribune
7 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
QFFD launches second phase of electric power support in Syria
QNA Doha In line with the directives of His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and as a continuation of the State of Qatar's efforts to support its brothers in the Syrian Arab Republic, the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) has announced the launch of the second phase of electricity support, with a capacity of 800 megawatts. This initiative comes as part of the collaboration between the QFFD and the Syrian Ministry of Energy. The second phase will begin on August 2, 2025, and will last for a full year, providing power supplies routed through Azerbaijan and Turkiye to the Syrian Arab Republic. The supplies will be received starting at the Aleppo power station and will be distributed across various cities and neighbourhoods in Syria. This support will help increase electricity supply to 5 hours per day, representing a 40 percent daily improvement for more than 5 million subscribers in Syria. It will also enhance energy sustainability in commercial areas, factories, and Utilities. The first phase of the project, implemented with a capacity of 400 megawatts, significantly contributed to stabilizing the power grid, supporting the industrial sector, and increasing operating hours in vital areas from 16 to 24 hours per day. Thus, the total contributions of QFFD to the electricity sector in the Syrian Arab Republic have reached over $760 million, reaffirming the State of Qatar's steadfast commitment to supporting the brotherly Syrian people and strengthening vital infrastructure to ensure a safe and dignified life for citizens.
Qatar Tribune
7 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
QCB allocates QR1.3 billion in latest treasury bills auction
Tribune News Network Doha The Qatar Central Bank (QCB) announced the successful issuance of treasury bills worth QR1.3 billion on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The auction drew strong demand from banks, with bids totaling QR4.4billion, more than three times theallocated amount. The issuance covered multiple maturities ranging from seven days to 336 days, combining both new and tap issuances. The highest allocation was made in the seven-day tenor, where QR 500 million was issued at a yield of 4.610 percent. In the 28-day tenor, QR200 million was allocated at a yield of 4.611 percent. The 91-day tap issuance saw an allocation of QR200 million at 4.546 percent, while the 189-day tenor carried a similar allocation at 4.461 percent. Longer-dated instruments included a 252-day tap issuance of QR100 million at 4.415 percent and a 336-day tap issuance of QR100 million at 4.365 percent. The yields showed a gradual decline as the maturities extended, reflecting steady investor appetite for QCB's short-term debt instruments and signaling confidence in the stability of monetary conditions. The strong bid-to-cover ratio, with QR4.4 billion in bids against QR1.3 billion in accepted allocations, highlighted the banking sector's appetite for safe central bank securities. The issuance of QCB bills plays a crucial role in the central bank's liquidity management framework, providing short-term investment options for banks while also serving as an important indicator of market interest rates. By maintaining strong demand and stable yields, the latest auction reaffirmed market confidence in Qatar's monetary policy direction. This issuance comes as part of the central bank's ongoing efforts to regulate liquidity, curb inflationary pressures, and ensure the stability of the Qatari riyal, thereby supporting the country's broader economic growth objectives.
