After months of intensive building, testing, and refining, the final stage of Qatar’s premier university entrepreneurship journey has arrived. The Center for Entrepreneurship (CfE) at Qatar University, in collaboration with the Hult Prize Foundation, is set to host the joint Demo Day for the Al Fikra National Competition for Higher Education 2026 and Hult Prize Qatar. This high-stakes event brings together the brightest student minds from across the country to showcase scalable startups designed to create a lasting societal and economic impact.
Event Details
- What: National Startup Competition & Hult Prize Demo Day
- When: April 21, 2026 (11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. AST)
- Where: College of Business and Economics (CBE), Qatar University, Doha
- Focus Areas: Higher Education Innovation, Sustainable Startups, Social Entrepreneurship
About The Event
The Al Fikra National Competition for Higher Education is Qatar’s most prestigious platform for identifying and nurturing entrepreneurial talent within the university ecosystem. Organized by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Organizational Excellence (CEOE) at Qatar University, the program encourages students and faculty to transform innovative academic ideas into viable private enterprises. This year, the event joins forces with the Hult Prize Qatar—a local chapter of the global social entrepreneurship challenge—to present a unified Demo Day where teams pitch for national recognition and advancement into international startup circuits.
What to Expect
- Networking (11:00 AM): An opening session for founders, investors, and ecosystem partners to connect.
- Team Pitching (11:30 AM): The top-tier finalists from Al Fikra and Hult Prize will present their refined business models to a panel of expert judges.
- Awards Ceremony (12:45 PM): Recognition of the top three winning teams who will receive financial and advisory support to launch their ventures.
- Startup Showcase: A display of technological and sustainable solutions addressing challenges in the national and global economy.
Event Agenda
| Time | Activity |
| 11:00 AM | Networking |
| 11:15 AM | Opening Remarks |
| 11:30 AM | Team Pitching |
| 12:30 PM | Prayer Break |
| 12:45 PM | Awards Ceremony |
| 01:00 PM | Networking Lunch |
About The Organizers
The event is organized by the Center for Entrepreneurship (CfE) at Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics. Since 2013, the CfE has served as a regional exemplar for research and value-added entrepreneurial activities. This edition is supported by strategic partners including Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), QIIB, and A-typical Ventures, reflecting a unified national effort to bolster Qatar’s knowledge-based economy.
How to Attend
Attendance is open to investors, mentors, and the wider tech community interested in university-led innovation. Interested attendees must register through the official RSVP link to secure their spot at the College of Business and Economics.
Register Now: Al Fikra & Hult Prize RSVP
Learn More: Center for Entrepreneurship (CfE)
