QDB, MAGNiTT Research unveil Venture Investment Report 2024
The value of venture capital deals in Qatar reached a historic QAR 115 million, marking a 135% year-on-year increase.
In alignment with the targets of the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, there has been remarkable growth in private sector participation and investment fund engagement in venture capital.
QDB's investment arm ranks fourth among the largest investors in the MENA region in terms of the number of deals.
71% of total financing in 2024 was directed towards Fintech.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Development Bank has released the fifth edition of its annual Venture Investment Report 2024, in collaboration with MAGNiTT Research. The publication is part of QDB's ongoing commitment to supporting Qatar's investment sector and strengthening its foundations. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of Qatar's investment landscape, enhances transparency, and offers access to data on the venture capital industry including the activities of investment funds that foster entrepreneurship and bolster the contribution of the private sector to Qatar's economic growth.
Commenting on the report's significance, Mr. Abdulrahman bin Hesham Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QDB, said Qatar Development Bank remains at the forefront of enabling venture capital investments in Qatar, marking a nine-year journey of support for the industry. 'As we review the data presented in this report, we recognize the important role we play in empowering Qatar's entrepreneurship ecosystem. We are proud of the sector's growth, particularly with the increasing participation of private and international investors, who now account for more than 50% of total investments. We also emphasize the importance of solid future planning and pursue our efforts to attract investors to tap innovative projects, which would boost venture capital investments in Qatar, especially in key clusters aligned with the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030.'
'Our goal at this stage is to expand the base of investors and funds in Qatar. To this end, we have launched several pioneering regional initiatives, including the Startup Qatar Investment Program under the umbrella of Startup Qatar, a platform unveiled by the Investment Promotion Agency (Invest Qatar) last year, the Arab Entrepreneurs Investment Program, and the Partial Guarantee program, all aimed at boosting investment and supporting the private sector,' Mr. Al Emadi explained.
Philip Bahoshy, CEO and Founder of MAGNiTT, said his organization was pleased to publish its annual report in collaboration with Qatar Development Bank. 'Over the past year, Qatar has seen remarkable growth, with notable events such as the Web Summit and the launch of the new fund of funds. Additionally, the emergence of several venture capital funds in the country has fostered positive momentum, with transactions increasing by 24% year-on-year.'
This year's report underscores Qatar's growing role as an attractive investment hub in the Middle East and North Africa, with the number of venture capital deals in the country increasing by 24% year-on-year in 2024. The total value of deals reached QAR 115 million, marking a significant 135% increase in direct investment despite a slowdown in venture capital investments across the region and challenges in the broader investment landscape. Qatar bucked the trend, ranking fourth in the MENA with 5% of the region's total deals in 2024. QDB's investment arm also ranked fourth in the region among the most active investors in terms of the number of deals, affirming Qatar's leadership in the investment sector and solidifying its position as a hub for innovation. Additionally, Qatar ranked sixth for venture funding in the region in 2024, four times its share in 2023.
The report also underscores fintech as the leading sector in Qatar, accounting for 29% of deals in 2024, an increase of 12% from 2023, highlighting the success of initiatives driven by QDB's Qatar FinTech Hub. QDB remains dedicated to strengthening the venture investment landscape by collaborating with partners in Qatar and the region through the Qatar FinTech Hub, fostering investments, attracting innovative startups to establish their businesses locally, and developing products that enhance private sector participation in venture capital.
For more information and to view the full report, please visit Qatar Development Bank website: https://www.qdb.qa/
-Ends-
About Qatar Development Bank
Established in 1997 as a government-affiliated development institution, Qatar Development Bank aims to strengthen the national business landscape, foster industrial development and drive the economic diversification of the private sector in Qatar.
Throughout more than twenty-five years of economic development, Qatar Development Bank has achieved notable successes, cementing its position as a major contributor to the national entrepreneurship ecosystem, the private sector and a diversified and knowledge-based economy.
Qatar Development Bank's strategy is aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, the Third National Development Strategy, and the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan, with a focus on building a promising future for businesses in Qatar and empowering entrepreneurs to lead a sustainable and prosperous future.
Qatar Development Bank's support system rests on three integrated pillars, namely promoting innovation by embracing and accelerating entrepreneurial ideas and investing in startups, developing local businesses by providing financial and advisory support, enabling the export ecosystem to bolster Qatari exports and raise the competitiveness of Qatari products in global markets. Additionally, QDB works on national initiatives in collaboration with partners from the governmental entities.
The bank's efforts are centred around diversifying support mechanisms to foster social and economic development, leveraging available resources to advance environmental, social and institutional governance and digital transformation efforts, and promoting innovation and creativity, with a focus on forging impactful local and global partnerships.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
6 days ago
- Zawya
QDB and GORD have officially launched ESG Guidance Manual for SMEs in Qatar
DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) have officially launched the ESG Guidance Manual for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar during a high-level event titled 'ESG for Qatar's Business Leaders' held at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, Doha. Organized by GORD in collaboration with QDB, the event convened senior executives, sustainability experts, and policymakers to explore the strategic importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) integration and to unveil QDB's newly developed manual. The event also welcomed senior representatives from Qatar's leading financial institutions, including the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) and the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE). Jointly developed by QDB and GORD, the ESG Guidance Manual offers a practical and scalable roadmap tailored to help SMEs embed ESG principles into their core business operations. The manual aims to align SMEs with the Qatar National Vision 2030, enhance their sustainability performance, and help them navigate evolving global regulatory requirements. Drawing on GORD's technical expertise and leadership in sustainability, the manual serves as both a strategic enabler and a compliance toolkit, equipping businesses to transition toward a low-carbon, resilient economy. During the launch, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, stated, 'The ESG Guidance Manual reflects Qatar's proactive commitment to empowering its SME sector to adapt to the evolving global ESG landscape. This initiative not only enhances the global competitiveness of Qatari SMEs in carbon-conscious markets but also reinforces their contribution to the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and broader international climate objectives.' Dr. Hamad Salem Mejegheer, Executive Director of SME Development of QDB, added, 'At Qatar Development Bank, we remain committed to strengthening the SME ecosystem, recognizing its vital role as a driver of economic growth and diversification. In today's interconnected global economy, ESG principles are no longer optional — they are fundamental to building resilience and unlocking new opportunities. Through this manual, developed in collaboration with GORD, we are equipping our SMEs with the tools to adapt, grow, and shape a sustainable future for Qatar.' Following the official launch, the event featured a series of technical sessions that offered participants in-depth insights into ESG fundamentals and regulatory developments. Discussions covered upcoming QCB guidelines, the implications of QSE's adoption of the IFRS S1/S2 standards, and how ESG ratings influence investment and financing decisions. Experts also addressed the role of digital solutions in streamlining ESG reporting and management. The sessions further explored strategies for embedding ESG into corporate decision-making and managing associated risks. The day concluded with a high-level panel discussion featuring leading experts and business leaders, emphasizing ESG as a strategic imperative and showcasing real-world examples of ESG-led business transformation and long-term value creation. About GORD The Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) is an RDI entity recognized among leading organizations in the global sustainability milieu. Headquartered in Qatar Science and Technology Park, GORD drives the transformation of societies, industries, and the built environment by influencing corporate ethos, fostering innovation, and developing capacity to enable low-carbon sustainable growth for present and future generations. The organization's key operations include R&D, standards setting, green buildings certification, accreditation services, voluntary carbon markets, performance testing, knowledge dissemination, 3D prototyping and advisory services on sustainability and climate change for governments, non-government, public and private sector organizations in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ABOUT QDB: Qatar Development Bank (QDB) – established in 1997 as the Qatar Industrial Development Bank – is a 100% government-owned developmental organization. Its primary aim is to develop investments within local industries, thereby accelerating growth and economic diversification in Qatar through support for the private sector. QDB aims to promote entrepreneurship spirit within the private sector in Qatar through providing the necessary services that shall ease the growth, development, and diversification of this sector. In doing so, QDB offers access to information, incubation, and capabilities to SMEs, in addition to access to capital through direct and indirect financial services, investment and access to local markets, and access to international markets for Qatari exporters through export insurance and funding services.
Zawya
25-05-2025
- Zawya
Media City Qatar and Qatar Development Bank partner to boost media entrepreneurship and creative talent in Qatar
Doha, Qatar: Media City Qatar and Qatar Development Bank (QDB) have signed a Cooperation Agreement to strengthen Qatar's creative and cultural industries ecosystem by advancing innovation, nurturing global talent, and expanding opportunities for media startups. Signed during Day 3 of the 2025 'Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg', the agreement marks a joint effort to support media entrepreneurship in Qatar. The agreement outlines a comprehensive framework to support Qatar's media and creative economy through six strategic areas. These include joint efforts to identify and support large-scale media productions aligned with the nation's cultural and export priorities, as well as the launch of a co-branded acceleration program in partnership with QDB's Creative and Cultural Industries Hub (SCALE7). This program will provide hands-on support to startups through workshops, masterclasses, hackathons, and pitching events, aiming to spotlight high-potential ventures and connect them with top investors and industry leaders. The agreement names Media City Qatar as an official partner in QDB's Talent Community Program, supporting startups and helping attract creative talent. Together, they will share opportunities, explore co-investments, and help startups grow across the region and beyond. Media City Qatar and QDB will also promote the Startup Qatar Investment Program, invite each other to events, and work with key partners to strengthen these efforts. Eng. Jassim Mohamed Al Khori, CEO of Media City Qatar, said: 'Our commitment to startups is no coincidence: over 60% of our 200+ licensed companies are startups. That is why partnering with Qatar Development Bank is a natural next step in our mission to build a vibrant culture of media entrepreneurship in Qatar. This Cooperation Agreement is designed to accelerate the growth of both our current and future licensed companies. By combining our strategic platforms with QDB's startup expertise and investment channels, we are creating real pathways for media entrepreneurs to scale and innovate. This will enable them to produce content that contributes meaningfully to the country's creative GDP.' Abdulrahman Hesham Al Sowaidi, CEO of Qatar Development Bank, commented: 'This partnership reflects a shared vision for building the next generation of media entrepreneurs who contribute to shaping Qatar's creative economy. By bringing Media City Qatar on board as an official partner in our Talent Community Program, we are enriching the national startup ecosystem with creative talent ready to scale, directly contributing towards building the knowledge-based economy and Qatar's 2030 objectives. The agreement also sets the stage for establishing the first media sector accelerator under our Creative and Cultural Industries hub, Scale7, designed to empower innovation across the national media landscape. He added: 'Beyond talent development, this collaboration expands our capacity to back ambitious media ventures and accelerate their path to regional and global relevance. This partnership also enables us to promote the Startup Qatar Investment Program further and provide an investment platform for Media-sector startups.' Media City Qatar, as the official partner of the Forum, continues to forge high-impact partnerships that unlock new value for Qatar's media sector and contribute to the national knowledge-based economy goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. ABOUT MEDIA CITY QATAR Media City Qatar is an emerging, collaborative global hub for media companies, entrepreneurs, innovators, and creative talent, and a regional leader in the media industry, contributing to Qatar's economic diversification. It accelerates the evolution of regional media to create a powerful and innovative ecosystem where exceptional ideas and content thrive. Media City Qatar was established to streamline necessary regulations, develop businesses, and unlock investment opportunities to support the media ecosystem in Qatar under its regulatory, developmental, and investment mandates. Media City Qatar aims to foster a nurturing environment and a hub for traditional and digital media, technology, communications, research, and development. From broadcasting to traditional and digital newspapers, from gaming to user-generated content, and enabling AI and advanced technologies, Media City Qatar welcomes businesses across different media segments of various scales to join us in Doha. For more information, visit or follow us on ABOUT QATAR DEVELOPMENT BANK Founded in 1997 under Emiri Decree No. 14, Qatar Development Bank (QDB), formerly known as Qatar Industrial Development Bank, is a development institution that primarily focuses on boosting industrial development and supporting the economic diversification of the private sector in Qatar. Over the past two decades, QDB has played a pivotal role in becoming the primary support arm for the private sector in Qatar, acting as a strong catalyst for social and economic development through three main pillars: access to finance, access to markets, and access to capacity building. QDB offers a comprehensive support system, including various financing plans, advisory services, legal advisory, mentoring, and capacity-building platforms. This integrated approach has helped QDB become a vital partner in the growth journey of SMEs, from concept to export, enabling them to compete both nationally and internationally, contributing to Qatar's economic vision for 2030. Currently, QDB and its affiliated institutions are building on Qatar's rich legacy of social and economic achievements through bold future-focused initiatives, with an emphasis on digital transformation in SMEs and the business environment, making it easier for entrepreneurs and SMEs to enter the new economy, embrace renewed opportunities, and gradually transform QDB into a digital future-focused institution and beacon for financial and developmental institutions across the region and the world. For more information, visit QDB website.
Zawya
06-05-2025
- Zawya
Qatar's economic growth expected to 'broadly steady' this year; sharp pickup seen in 2026: NBK
Qatar's economic growth is expected to broadly steady this year before accelerating sharply in 2026, according to National Bank of its latest 'Economic Insight', NBK said Qatar's fiscal accounts are expected to show surplus and public debt to fall in 2026. Qatar's economic growth is expected to broadly steady this year before accelerating sharply in 2026, according to National Bank of Kuwait (NBK). In its latest 'Economic Insight', NBK said Qatar's fiscal accounts are expected to show surplus and public debt to fall in 2026. 'Economic growth in Qatar is expected broadly steady in 2025 at 2.4% before accelerating sharply to 5.5% in 2026,' NBK noted. In Qatar, the cyclical downturn following the 2022 World Cup boom has faded and growth is seen accelerating again on stronger tourism activity, new government initiatives, and increased LNG production, National Bank of Kuwait said in its 'Economic Insight'. Hydrocarbon GDP will play an increasingly vital role in shaping Qatar's medium-term growth outlook (+9.8% in 2026), with the giant offshore North Field gas expansion project nearing completion, the report said. LNG output expansion is set to generate a 63% jump in already massive capacity by 2027-2028 (to 127mn tonnes per year - mtpy) and will eventually have positive knock-on effects on non-hydrocarbon GDP, as higher resulting revenues are channelled back into the economy to meet the next wave of development goals. Qatar's Third National Development Strategy targets an annual average growth of 4% in 2024-2030, also helped by business efficiency, FDI-promoting and innovation-enhancing reforms. Goals include growing labour productivity by 2% per year, attracting $100bn in cumulative FDI and developing specialised economic 'growth' clusters in manufacturing, logistics and tourism. The fiscal accounts should continue to show a surplus over the forecast horizon, from 2.3% of GDP in 2025 to a wider 4.5% of GDP next year as the first LNG trains from the gas expansion project come online. In recent years, Qatar's budget surpluses were deployed to lower outstanding public debt, a trend that will likely continue in the medium term; public debt could fall to 34% of GDP by 2026. According to NBK, downside risks to the outlook include a more severe than expected global economic downturn that weakens energy prices, and potentially lower prices for LNG in the event of global market excess supply. 'That said, the scale of Qatar's imminent energy output expansion and domestic investment targets should provide some degree of resilience against international headwinds,' the bank noted. The report also covered Oman and Bahrain and according to NBK, Bahrain's fiscal deficits are seen widening amid lower oil prices and still-elevated interest rates, despite repeated consolidation efforts. Following sustained reform implementation, Oman's positive economic performance is seen continuing with non-oil expansion, fiscal surpluses and a declining debt-to-GDP ratio, it said. © Gulf Times Newspaper 2022 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Pratap John
