Utopia Capital Management, in strategic partnership with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), has launched “The Studio,” a new venture-building platform designed to transform industry expertise into scalable AI companies. Targeting the Global South, this initiative seeks to co-found 140 new ventures by 2030, offering deep domain experts the technical foundation, capital, and operational support needed to build billion-dollar businesses from Doha.
At a Glance
- Opportunity Type: Co-Founding Fellowship & Venture Builder
- For: Industry/Domain Experts in GCC, Southeast Asia, and Africa
- Key Benefits: Up to $1M in staged funding, Founder Stipends, Technical Co-founding Team, and Housing Support
- Application Deadline: February 28, 2026
- Location: Doha, Qatar (Hybrid options with key sprints in Doha)
Fellowship Overview
The Studio is not a traditional accelerator; it is a co-founding partner. The program aims to pair “Fellows”—operators who have lived through specific industry bottlenecks—with The Studio’s internal team of AI engineers, product designers, and venture operators.
The goal is to move from problem identification to Series A readiness in under 18 months. By treating AI as a foundation rather than an add-on, The Studio focuses on “boring” but profitable problems in emerging markets that others ignore. The program follows a systematic process:
- Scan & Validate: Hunt for $2B+ problems.
- Attract Fellows: Connect with experts who know the “why.”
- Co-build: Deploy AI builders to create performant solutions.
- Scale: Spin out with funding and networks.
Key Benefits
Selected Fellows and founders will receive comprehensive support designed to de-risk the startup journey:
- Capital Access: Up to $1M in staged funding to get from concept to Series A.
- Technical Co-Founders: A dedicated team of AI engineers and product experts to build the solution (no technical background required for the Fellow).
- Founder Incentives: Through QDB, eligible founders receive housing support, monthly stipends, and coverage for development costs.
- Fast-Track Setup: Assistance with business establishment in Qatar.
- Global Network: Direct lines to capital partners like The Radical Fund and Atypical Ventures.
Focus Areas (Pods)
The Studio operates via thesis-led “Pods,” focusing on specific high-impact sectors:
- Infrastructure Intelligence: Autonomous systems for critical operations.
- Decarb Industry: Operating systems for industrial decarbonization.
- Sovereign Systems: Digital, compute, and energy infrastructure for emerging economies.
- Flow Rails: Programmable rails for money movement and economic coordination.
- Vertical Domain AI: Purpose-built software for high-stakes vertical domains.
Eligibility Criteria
The Studio is looking for “Fellows” who fit the following profile:
- Deep Domain Fluency: You have intimate knowledge of a specific industry and its inefficiencies.
- Problem-First Mindset: You have “lived the pain” and can prove where value leaks in current systems.
- Access: You have existing access to workflows, data, or customers in your field.
- Geographic Focus: You are focused on building solutions relevant to the GCC, Southeast Asia, or Africa.
- Commitment: Willing to engage in a 6-month structured co-build (Hybrid with sprints in Doha). Relocation is not mandatory, but presence is required for key phases.
How to Apply
If you are an expert ready to turn your insider knowledge into an AI company, apply for the Co-Build Fellowship.
Application Deadline: February 28, 2026
Apply Here: The Studio Application Portal
About The Utopia Studio
The Utopia Studio is an AI-native venture builder powered by Utopia Capital Management and Qatar Development Bank. It exists to redesign capital deployment for hyper-technical founders and domain experts. With a mission to become the most efficient system for transforming expertise into scalable companies, The Studio targets high-barrier problems across the Global South.
Learn More: The Utopia Studio
