Latest news with #StartupQatarInvestmentProgram
Qatar Tribune
24-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Media City Qatar, QDB partner to boost media entrepreneurship, creative talent
DOHA: MediaCityQatar 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 formediastartups. Signed during Day 3 of the 2025 'Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg', the agreement marks a joint effort to supportmediaentrepreneurship in Qatar. The agreement outlines a comprehensive framework to support Qatar'smediaand creative economy through six strategic areas. These include joint efforts to identify and support large-scalemediaproductions aligned with the nation's cultural and export priorities, as well as the launch of a co-branded acceleration program in partnership with QDB'sCreative 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 namesMediaCityQatar 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 and QDB will also promote the Startup Qatar Investment Program, invite each other to events, and work with key partners to strengthen these efforts. CEO ofMediaCityQatar Eng Jassim Mohamed Al Khorisaid: "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 ofmediaentrepreneurship in Qatar". He added: "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 formediaentrepreneurs to scale and innovate. This will enable them to produce content that contributes meaningfully to the country's creative GDP." CEO of Qatar Development Bank Abdulrahman Hesham Al Sowaidi commented: "This partnership reflects a shared vision for building the next generation ofmediaentrepreneurs who contribute to shaping Qatar's creative economy". He stressed: "By bringingMediaCityQatar 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 firstmediasector accelerator under our Creative and Cultural Industries hub, Scale7, designed to empower innovation across the nationalmedialandscape". He added: "Beyond talent development, this collaboration expands our capacity to back ambitiousmediaventures 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 forMedia-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.
Zawya
09-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
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: -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.
