Qatar’s startup ecosystem offers several non-dilutive and cost-sharing funding pathways for founders, particularly those operating in technology, R&D, and national priority sectors such as health, fintech, logistics, and smart cities. These opportunities are designed to support various stages of growth, from initial prototyping to commercial scale-up.
At a Glance
- Opportunity Type: Non-dilutive grants, cost-sharing funds, and innovation prizes.
- For: Tech startups, SMEs, and R&D-driven companies operating in Qatar.
- Key Benefits: Funding ranging from QAR 200,000 to QAR 10 million, ecosystem access, and pilot opportunities.
- Application Deadline: Varies by program; many operate on dynamic cycles or cohort deadlines.
- Location: Qatar.
Grants Overview
The funding landscape in Qatar is categorized by the specific needs of the venture, ranging from deep research and development to commercialization and regulatory readiness. Key providers include the QRDI Council, Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), and Qatar Development Bank (QDB).
Key Funding Programs
QRDI Council Programs
- Small Business Innovation Grant (SBIG): Provides phased support for feasibility and prototyping. Phase I offers up to QAR 800,000, while Phase II provides up to QAR 2,200,000.
- Technology Development Grant (TDG): Targets large-scale R&D and technology validation projects with a maximum grant of up to QAR 10 million over 1–3 years.
- Qatar Open Innovation: Challenge-based grants of up to $150,000 for startups to develop and pilot prototypes that solve specific national or industry challenges.
Industry-Specific and Product Grants
- QSTP Product Development Fund (PDF): A cost-sharing fund for Qatar-based SMEs building commercial products. It covers up to 50% of project costs, capped at QAR 1.4 million.
- FinTech Development Grant: Provided by the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) via Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH). It offers milestone-linked co-funding of up to QAR 1.5 million for market entry and regulatory readiness.
- TASMU Accelerator: Managed by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), offering cash prizes (typically around QAR 200,000) for top-performing startups during acceleration.
Business Enablement
- QDB Reyada Portal: Offers financial grants to help SMEs and startups subsidize business development services and operating costs.
Eligibility Criteria
- QRDI SBIG/TDG: Best for innovation-driven startups and companies focused on deep R&D and technology development.
- QSTP PDF: Requires at least 20% Qatari shareholding and private-sector SME status.
- FinTech Grant: Specifically for startups investing in technical and regulatory readiness within the financial sector.
- General: Most programs prioritize sectors like energy, environment, healthcare, and digital solutions.
How to Apply
Founders should select the grant that aligns with their current development stage and funding needs. Applicants are advised to build rigorous budgets and validate current application cycles on official program pages.
- R&D and Tech: Apply via the QRDI Innolight ecosystem.
- Product Commercialization: Apply via QSTP/Tasmu Digital Valley.
- FinTech: Track opportunities through QFTH/QDB.
About Falak
Falak is a comprehensive digital platform for entrepreneurship and innovation in Qatar. It serves as a centralized hub for startups to access resources, market insights, expert consultations, and directory services to help navigate the Qatari ecosystem.
Learn More: Falak
