The Office of Innovation and Industrial Relations (OIIR) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has officially launched the fifth cycle of its REYADA program. Delivered in strategic partnership with Qatar Development Bank, the initiative is designed to foster entrepreneurial growth and innovation within the university ecosystem.
Empowering Early-Stage Innovation
The latest cycle of REYADA has accepted over 25 early-stage ideas spearheaded by undergraduate and graduate students across HBKU. Over the course of two months, the participating teams will undergo a rigorous development process encompassing customer discovery, business modeling, and prototyping. A critical focus of the program is pushing founders to validate whether their proposed solutions address genuine market pain points.
Following this intensive phase of customer validation, prototyping, and pitch practice, the top-performing teams will advance to compete in the highly anticipated HBKU Ideathon 2026.
Diverse Themes Driving Cycle 5
The 25+ student-led ventures are distributed across six core themes that align with pressing regional and global challenges. The participating startups include:
- Generative AI & Applications: EduNudge, TAWSEE, Conductor AI, Rihla, Resurtech, Studio AI, Founder’s OS, and AIDOI.
- Health & Well-being: Orthoprint, REHABIT, Qatar Heatsafe, Siha, TwinRx AI, Mindful Mama Qatar, and Visionary Wear.
- Future Technologies: ShenaTech, Manarah, Jarreb, Qnnect, VOYGR, Yumpit, and AWDA.
- Islamic Ethics: SmartWaqf, Project Nexus, and Jama’ah Connect.
- Sustainable & Resilient Arid Cities: From Brine to Bottle, and Waste2Value Qatar.
- Complex Ecosystems: Natahawar.
About Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)
Hamad Bin Khalifa University is a homegrown research and graduate studies university in Qatar that serves as a catalyst for positive transformation in the region. Through targeted initiatives like the REYADA program led by the Office of Innovation and Industrial Relations (OIIR), the university actively cultivates a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting student founders in translating academic concepts into viable, market-ready businesses.
Source: LinkedIn
