Under the patronage of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, INJAZ Qatar, a non-profit member of Junior Achievement Worldwide, hosted its Mubadara 2026 awards ceremony. The 19th edition of the annual competition celebrated Qatar’s most promising youth-led business ventures, bringing together students, sponsors, educators, and industry leaders at the Qatar National Convention Centre on May 3rd.
Quick Facts
- Event: 19th annual Mubadara awards ceremony.
- Organizer: INJAZ Qatar.
- Focus: Awarding top student-led business projects.
Fostering Qatar’s Future Innovators
The event highlighted the growing entrepreneurial talent among the country’s youth. Sheikha Hanadi Bint Nasser Al Thani, Chairperson of INJAZ Qatar and INJAZ Al-Arab, emphasized the impact of the initiative.
“The Mubadara initiative continues to demonstrate the immense potential of Qatar’s youth in innovation, leadership, and making a tangible impact,” she stated. “This year’s cohort has shown not only strong entrepreneurial thinking but also a deep awareness of the challenges and opportunities shaping our future.”
Corporate Giants Back Youth Entrepreneurship
The competition received significant support from major corporations, reinforcing the private sector’s commitment to nurturing the local startup ecosystem.
ExxonMobil Qatar, the platinum sponsor, presented the “Company of the Year” award to winning teams from both the high school and university levels.
“At ExxonMobil Qatar, we believe that empowering youth with skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and entrepreneurship is a cornerstone for building a knowledge-based economy,” said Rashed Al-Hajri, the company’s Vice President and Director of Government and Public Affairs.
QNB Group, a leading financial institution in the MENA region, participated as a gold sponsor, presenting the “Most Innovative Product or Service” award.
Dr. Fatima Abdullah Al-Suwaidi, Chief Risk Officer at QNB Group, commented, “QNB Group is proud to support the Mubadara competition, which is a leading platform for empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs in Qatar. Our sponsorship is part of our commitment to building a knowledge-based economy by investing in youth capabilities and fostering innovation, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Ooredoo Qatar, also a gold sponsor, presented the “Best Marketing Plan” award and provided 25 iPads to the winners.
“Mubadara plays an important role in enabling young people to develop innovative ideas and turn them into tangible realities, and we are proud to support such initiatives,” said Sabah Rabiah Al-Kuwari, Senior Director of Marketing Communications at Ooredoo Qatar.
About INJAZ Qatar
INJAZ Qatar is a non-profit organization and a member of Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide, one of the world’s largest non-profit business education organizations. It is dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.
Source: Al Estad
