The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, have launched a new study in Doha aimed at strengthening Qatar’s startup ecosystem. Titled “Qatar’s Startup Ecosystem: A Roadmap for Acceleration,” the research paper presents strategic findings and actionable recommendations to solidify Qatar’s position as a regional center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and venture capital.
Quick Facts
- USQBC & IFC launch new ecosystem study.
- Goal is to make Qatar a regional innovation hub.
- Report provides a roadmap for growth and investment.
A Data-Driven Push for Deals and Growth
The initiative aims to move beyond dialogue and into committed action by leveraging data to identify clear opportunities. The study provides an evidence-based foundation for engaging the private sector by pinpointing investment-ready areas and institutional gaps.
Mayes bint Hamad bin Mohammed Al Thani, Managing Director of the USQBC’s Doha office, stated that the council’s mission is to “translate these findings into deals, partnerships, and growth.” She emphasized that the paper identifies “the unique advantages offered by Qatar’s position within the Gulf, which are difficult for any other market in the region or globally to replicate.”
Holly Welborn Benner, Doha-based manager for the World Bank Group, noted that startups are engines of innovation and job creation. “Qatar is seeking to become a hub for entrepreneurship and venture capital,” she explained. “The study provides an evidence-based roadmap to achieve this goal, including unlocking the potential of founders, enhancing the quality and scale of startups, increasing investment capacity, and accelerating links with research and academic institutions.”
Collaboration is Key to Competing Globally
The launch event gathered senior officials, private sector leaders, investors, and universities to align on the study’s recommendations and promote their implementation. Stakeholders agreed that a cooperative approach is essential for building a globally competitive ecosystem.
Khaled Al-Sada, Senior Executive Vice President of Corporate and Institutional Banking at QNB Group, highlighted the importance of a unified effort. “Building a globally competitive innovation ecosystem requires strong collaboration between financial institutions, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs,” he said. Al-Sada added that QNB recognizes the critical role that access to capital, institutional support, and cross-sector partnerships play in enabling startups to scale and contribute to long-term economic growth.
About the US-Qatar Business Council
The US-Qatar Business Council (USQBC) officially opened its Doha office in December 2019 under the umbrella of the Qatar Financial Centre. It serves as a strategic anchor to advance trade and investment between the United States and Qatar, contributing to stronger economic ties by facilitating effective collaboration, supporting sustainable private sector growth, and enabling innovation across key sectors.
Source: Al Araby
