The Center for Entrepreneurship at Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics has introduced the “Entrepreneurs’ Deal,” a new competition designed to serve as a launchpad for students to transform their academic ideas into viable business projects. The initiative aims to strengthen Qatar’s innovation environment and support its growing knowledge-based economy by providing a competitive platform for student-led ventures.
Quick Facts
- New competition for Qatar University entrepreneurship students.
- Aims to convert innovative ideas into applicable projects.
- Features judging and mentorship from industry experts.
- 11 student projects were evaluated in the first event.
From Classroom Concepts to Market-Ready Ventures
The program is structured to give students practical, hands-on experience in building a business from the ground up. Dr. Khalid Mohamed Al-Hashimi, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, emphasized that the core objective extends beyond just perfecting an idea.
“The competition focuses on converting ideas into applicable projects,” Dr. Al-Hashimi told Mshireb. “The goal is not the completion of the idea but the experience of building projects.” He noted that through this process, students learn essential skills like preparing clear business and marketing plans.
Bridging Academia with Industry Expertise
To ensure the projects are aligned with market realities, the competition’s judging panel included a group of seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Jassim Al-Ashar, General Manager of the Development Foundation in Doha, confirmed that 11 projects were evaluated during the inaugural event.
“Some of the projects deserve support and meet the needs of the Qatari market,” Al-Ashar stated, adding that the entrepreneurs involved will offer continued support and consultations to participants. He stressed that even for those who didn’t win, the experience marks a starting point for their entrepreneurial journey.
Rashed Al-Mansoori, CEO of Aamal Holding, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the critical role industry veterans play. “The presented projects hold local and regional growth opportunities,” he said, underscoring the importance of investor support in helping these early-stage companies scale effectively.
About Entrepreneurs’ Deal
The “Entrepreneurs’ Deal” is a semester-based competition organized by the Center for Entrepreneurship at Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics. It provides a platform for students to present their business ideas to a panel of experts and entrepreneurs, receive direct feedback, and gain practical experience in developing business plans and go-to-market strategies, contributing to Qatar’s national innovation goals.
Source: Mshireb
