Qatar’s new venture studio, a landmark collaboration between the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar Development Bank (QDB), and Utopia Capital Management, is set to welcome its first cohort of startups before the end of this year. The announcement was made by QDB Chief Executive Officer Abdulrahman bin Hesham al-Sowaidi during the seventh edition of the Investment Forum 2025.
The studio, which will be operated by A-typical Ventures, was first unveiled at Web Summit 2025 and represents a major step in developing Qatar’s venture capital ecosystem.
“We look forward to welcoming the first cohort from Qatar before the end of this year,” al-Sowaidi stated, highlighting that the long-term partnership is already in action and testament to a commitment to advancing the VC ecosystem through private sector enablement.
A Magnet for Regional Innovation
The venture studio is actively seeking pre-seed, seed, and pre-series A founders from across the GCC, Levant, Pakistan, and Turkiye. It will focus on scaling innovations and driving economic diversification in key sectors, including fintech, healthtech, e-commerce, logistics and mobility, and climatetech. A-typical Ventures will work with founders to refine their business models, optimize go-to-market strategies, and unlock growth opportunities.
Strategic Backing to Fuel Growth
This initiative marks one of the first capital deployments from QIA’s ‘fund-of-funds’ program, which aims to develop a robust startup ecosystem in Qatar and attract leading venture capital funds to the region. QDB will play a crucial role in co-building the next generation of ventures, merging strategic investment with hands-on expertise to help high-potential startups scale faster, enter new markets, and drive significant economic impact.
Building a Knowledge-Based Economy
The studio’s ambition extends beyond the local market, aiming to serve the entire MENA region. “We don’t want to have a centre that’s only dedicated for a single market. We want a Mena venture studio,” said Mohammed al-Emadi, QDB Executive Director of Incubation and VC Investment. He explained that the goal is to attract talent from across the region to Qatar, which is a core component of the country’s 2030 vision to build a knowledge-based economy.
About The Venture Studio Initiative
The Qatar-based venture studio is a strategic partnership between the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar Development Bank (QDB), and Utopia Capital Management, operated by A-typical Ventures. Its mission is to nurture and scale high-potential startups from Qatar and the wider MENA region by combining strategic investment with hands-on, expert venture-building support.
Source: Zawya
