The TASMU Accelerator, an initiative of the Smart Qatar (TASMU) program, announced three strategic agreements with major industry players during Web Summit Qatar 2024. The new partnerships with Mowasalat (Karwa), DHL Express Qatar, and PwC Middle East are set to bolster the local startup ecosystem by providing market access, operational expertise, and funding opportunities.
Piloting Smart Transport Solutions With Mowasalat
In a significant move to advance Qatar’s smart mobility sector, TASMU Accelerator has partnered with Mowasalat (Karwa) to implement five pilot projects from four startups in its third cohort. These projects will introduce advanced solutions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency within Qatar’s public transport leader.
The selected startups will test solutions including a system to improve fuel consumption efficiency on four buses, a digital platform for document management, and integrated systems for facility access control. The collaboration will also explore the integration of machine learning into operational applications to support data-driven decision-making.
Eman Al Kuwari, Director of Digital Innovation at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), stated, “These pilot projects embody one of the main roles of the TASMU Accelerator in enabling startups to test their technical solutions in actual operational environments and in direct partnership with the concerned authorities.”
Dr. Hamad Al Shaibani, Executive Director of IT and Communications at Mowasalat, highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation. “This collaboration allows us to accelerate the adoption of viable digital solutions, enhance operational efficiency, improve processes, and support efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the transport sector.”
Enhancing Logistics Expertise With DHL Express
TASMU Accelerator formalized a partnership with DHL Express Qatar to provide startups with invaluable industry expertise. The agreement aims to connect startups’ tech solutions with real-world market needs, particularly in logistics and supply chain management.
Under the agreement, DHL Express Qatar will offer operational insights and mentorship, helping startups refine their products, validate their applicability, and improve their market-readiness. This collaboration underscores TASMU’s ecosystem-driven approach, which focuses on bridging the gap between digital innovation and tangible operational challenges.
Strategic Support and Funding With PwC Middle East
A third agreement was signed with PwC Middle East to provide strategic support and a cash prize for the accelerator’s upcoming fourth cohort. PwC Middle East will award QAR 200,000 to the most promising startup in the cohort.
Beyond the financial prize, the partnership will grant startups access to a network of specialized mentors and industry experts. PwC will offer guidance on business development strategies and market-entry readiness, reinforcing the shared commitment to empowering promising ventures and cementing Qatar’s position as a regional hub for digital innovation.
About TASMU Accelerator
The TASMU Accelerator is a key initiative of the Smart Qatar (TASMU) program, which operates under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The accelerator is designed to foster innovation by connecting startups with real-world challenges faced by government entities and large enterprises, thereby accelerating the development and deployment of market-ready technology solutions that align with Qatar’s national priorities.
Source: Mshireb
