The 11th edition of the Rowad Entrepreneurship Conference has officially launched in Doha, marking a significant moment for the region’s startup ecosystem. Organized by the Qatar Development Bank (QDB), the three-day event runs from November 17-19 under the theme “Entrepreneurship Across Borders: Growth, Sustainability, Excellence,” and features a series of major announcements aimed at bolstering Qatar’s position as a leading hub for innovation.
The conference was inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and brings together over 120 local and global companies, more than 100 expert speakers, and a packed schedule of over 30 workshops and 15 panel discussions.
A National Push for Economic Diversification
In his opening address, Abdulrahman bin Hesham Al-Sowaidi, CEO of Qatar Development Bank, emphasized that entrepreneurship has become a central pillar in achieving Qatar’s economic diversification goals as outlined in its Third National Development Strategy. He highlighted the significant progress of the local ecosystem, noting that Qatar ranks 11th globally in the Entrepreneurship Environment Resilience Index.
“What we witnessed today in terms of direct communication channels between companies and investors, and the exchange of experiences between specialists and entrepreneurs, is the best evidence of the ability of this vital platform to open new and unprecedented paths for cooperation,” stated Al-Sowaidi. “Our primary goal from the Rowad conference is to provide an incubator environment that helps companies access knowledge, relationships, and development opportunities.”
Bolstering Investment and Empowering Startups
Al-Sowaidi unveiled several key initiatives designed to inject significant capital and support into the startup landscape. QDB, already ranked as the fourth most active VC investor in the MENA region with over QAR 350 million ($96.1 million) in investments, announced it is increasing the single-deal value for its co-investment program to QAR 11 million.
Furthermore, the bank is doubling its investment package for the “Start from Qatar” program, which will now offer up to QAR 4 million for early-stage companies and up to QAR 20 million for those in the growth and expansion phase. This move follows the program’s success in supporting over 35 companies with more than QAR 230 million in just two years. QDB also aims to increase the contribution of local investors in total venture capital investments from 57% to 70% by 2030.
New Initiatives to Foster Global Collaboration
Reinforcing the conference’s international theme, Al-Sowaidi announced the launch of a new “HealthTech Accelerator” in partnership with the investment fund “Dervid” and its accelerator arm, “Cure.” This initiative aims to attract global and Qatari HealthTech startups by creating a unique program that bridges Doha and New York to accelerate their growth.
The conference also reflects a growing international interest in the Qatari market, with a delegation of eight Canadian companies from sectors like AI, clean energy, and cybersecurity in attendance. Ibrahim Abdel Halim of the Canadian-Qatari Business Forum noted that the strategic goal is to “encourage Canadian companies to work in Qatar and their Qatari counterparts to invest in Canada,” viewing the Qatari market as a key entry point to the wider Gulf region.
A Platform for Connection and Growth
This year’s Rowad conference is held in collaboration with the Young Entrepreneurs Club and hosts the second edition of the “Young Entrepreneurs Media Forum,” focusing on the media’s role in promoting entrepreneurial culture. The event provides a dynamic platform for 120 startups to showcase innovative solutions, pitch ideas directly to investors, and engage in bilateral meetings to forge new partnerships and secure funding.
Discussions and workshops throughout the conference will tackle critical topics such as scaling businesses, targeting global markets, leveraging digital transformation, and integrating sustainability as a core competitive advantage.
About Rowad Entrepreneurship Conference
Rowad is an annual flagship conference organized by the Qatar Development Bank. It serves as a central platform for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to connect, share knowledge, and explore opportunities. The event is dedicated to fostering innovation and supporting the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Qatar and the wider MENA region.
Source: Qatar News Agency
