Qatar

Doha

Members: Qatar Development Bank (QDB)

Top 15

MENA Ecosystem in Performance

Top 15

MENA Ecosystem in Knowledge

Top 15

MENA Ecosystem in Funding

Qatar is building a globally connected innovation economy, shaping next-generation enterprises with a vision that transcends borders, positioning Doha as the launchpad where bold ideas scale into global impact.

Mr. Abdulrahman bin Hesham Al-Sowaidi

CEO of Qatar Development Bank (QDB)

Highlights

Doha is rapidly emerging as a dynamic and globally connected innovation hub. At the heart of Qatar’s economic diversification agenda, the city is nurturing a startup ecosystem grounded in talent, technology, and long-term policy alignment. Under Vision 2030, Qatar is investing heavily in entrepreneurship, R&D, and frontier technologies, positioning Doha as the engine of its transition toward a knowledge-based economy.

Anchored by institutions like Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), startups in Doha benefit from a rich support infrastructure across incubation, funding, acceleration, and mentorship. This is further complemented by private-sector programs supporting startup attraction and growth.

QDB offers a wide array of support, from investment and soft-landing products to coaching and programs such as the Qatar Fintech Hub (QFTH) and Scale7 (CCI Hub). It supports startups across national priority sectors including AI, Fintech, EnterpriseTech, SportsTech, Logistics, and HealthTech. QDB plays a catalytic role through its investment products spanning pre-Seed to Series A and beyond, especially through the landmark Startup Qatar Investment Program which combines investment with soft-landing support to attract and retain international world-class talent in the country.

Doha’s tech ecosystem is underpinned by high investment in infrastructure, world-class universities, and a growing base of research institutions. AI is emerging as a national priority, with the establishment of a National Centre for AI that builds on previous efforts to invest in and promote the adoption of AI across sectors. Qatar’s AI strategy seeks to develop AI applications while promoting responsible use. Furthermore, the landmark Fund-of-Funds initiative launched by QIA in late 2024 has resulted in an influx of VCs.

As the ecosystem matures, Doha is becoming a strategic destination for early-stage ventures seeking access to capital, R&D partnerships, and a regional launchpad into the Gulf and beyond.

Ecosystem by the Numbers

ECOSYSTEM VALUE

(H2 2022 - 2024)

$702 M

GLOBAL AVG. $20.4 bn

NUMBER OF UNICORNS

(ACTIVE UNICORNS)

0

GLOBAL AVG. 4

SOFT. ENGINEER SALARY

(2024)

$45 K

GLOBAL AVG. $52 K

TIME TO EXIT

(2020 - 2024)

5 YEARS

GLOBAL AVG. 11.2 years

TOTAL EARLY–STAGE FUNDING

(H2 2022 - 2024)

$53 M

GLOBAL AVG. $514.8 m

MEDIAN SEED ROUND

(H2 2022 - 2024)

$550 K

GLOBAL AVG. $889 k

EARLY-STAGE FUNDING
GROWTH

(2021 - 22 VS. 2023 - 24)

1

Scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest)

EXIT AMOUNT

(2020 - 2024)

$25 M

GLOBAL AVG. $8 bn

ECOSYSTEM VALUE GROWTH

(H2 2020 - H2 2022 VS H2 2022 - H2 2024)

1%

GLOBAL AVG. -14%

MEDIAN SERIES A ROUND

(H2 2022 – 2024)

$1.5 M

GLOBAL AVG. $6.8 m

TOTAL VC FUNDING

(2020 - 2024)

$160 M

GLOBAL AVG. $5.2 bn

EXIT COUNT (#)

(2020 - 2024)

3

0

2020

1

2021

0

2022

1

2023

1

2024

GLOBAL AVG. 86

Sub-Sector Strengths

Artificial Intelligence

AI is a national strategic priority in Qatar, with major investments in infrastructure, R&D, and regulation. Qatar is establishing a National Centre for Artificial Intelligence within MCIT to accelerate AI adoption across public and private sectors. This builds on previous efforts including the National AI Strategy, the GovAI program, and partnerships with the private sector including Microsoft and Scale AI to enhance digital transformation. QIA has reinforced this vision through major investments in AI firms including Anthropic. The launch of Fanar, an Arab AI model, further positions Qatar as a regional digital innovation hub.

Fintech

Fintech is one of Doha’s fastest-growing sectors, attracting more than US$12 million in 2024, more than three times the funding of any other sector. Anchored by Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH) and supported by robust national strategies, the ecosystem benefits from accelerators, regulatory support, and investor connectivity. Since 2021, QFTH has invested over US$9.8 million in more than 80 startups, which to date are collectively valued at over US$500 million. These efforts are aligned with Qatar’s National Vision 2030.

Healthtech

Doha’s HealthTech sector reflects Qatar’s broader transition toward knowledge-based industries, driven by National Vision 2030 and the Digital Health Strategy, which prioritize AI-enabled care, telemedicine, and electronic records. The Ministry of Public Health established a dedicated Health Technology Assessment unit and rolled out a robust evaluation framework to support evidence-based, value-driven adoption of emerging health technologies. Policy support is translating into ecosystem activity: the World Innovation Summit for Health Innovation Competition spotlighted digital health startups, showcasing groundbreaking solutions for the world’s most urgent healthcare challenges.

Reasons to Move Your Startup to Doha

Integrated Innovation Infrastructure

Doha offers startups a full-stack ecosystem, from R&D to market, with access to world-class facilities at QSTP, mentorship at QDB and MCIT’s Digital Incubation Centre (DIC), and early-stage funding through QDB and its partners. TASMU (the Smart Qatar Initiative), launched by MCIT, acts as a platform for digital transformation, public-private collaboration, and pilot innovation.

Government-Backed Capital & Policy Support

Qatar provides founder-friendly regulation and competitive licensing. Government entities, semi-public organizations, VCs, and private-sector players provide a wide range of funding products for startups from ideation to beyond Series A. The Tech Development Grant and venture funds unlock support from prototype to commercialization. Qatar aims to achieve a startup funding-to-GDP ratio of 0.1% by 2030 and introduce a one-day business startup period.

Regional Platform with Global Connectivity

Positioned at the heart of the Gulf, Doha offers regional access across the GCC, strong infrastructure, and deep academic industry collaboration. Startups also benefit from Qatar’s growing international profile in AI, health, and sustainability. The QDB Talent Community Program offers entrepreneurs temporary residency, making it easier to establish and grow in Qatar’s thriving business ecosystem.

Selected Startup Organizations

Startup Genome Members

MEMBER

Qatar Development Bank (QDB)

QDB is Qatar’s leading entrepreneurship and SME development institution, providing funding, advisory, incubation, and internationalization support to build a resilient, innovation-led private sector.

Key Ecosystem Players

Startup Qatar Program by Invest Qatar and Supported by QDB

A joint initiative by Invest Qatar and QDB, Startup Qatar is a landmark investment program and one-stop platform for licensing, soft-landing support, and networking opportunities. It is coupled with the Talent Community Program, a residential offering that attracts talent to the region.

MCIT - Ministry of Communications and Information Technology

MCIT runs the DIC incubation program. Its TAMSU program connects global innovators with Qatar’s local market needs, advancing ICT and enhancing public services in line with National Vision 2030.

QSTP – Qatar Science & Technology Park

Home to research centers and startups, QSTP provides incubation, funding, and strategic R&D partnerships across AI, HealthTech, energy, and manufacturing.

QRDI

Qatar’s national Research, Development, and Innovation Council aims to develop the local ecosystem through talent attraction, R&D support, commercialization, and cooperation between national and international figures from governments, industries, and academia.

VCs and Global Accelerators

Key venture capital firms and global accelerators shaping Qatar’s startup ecosystem include Alchemist, Rasmal Ventures, Deerfield, Atypical Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, B Capital, and Builders VC.

News from the Ecosystem

Explore more ecosystems

Work with us

If you are interested in working with us to drive global attention to your ecosystem, please get in touch with Marina Krizman, Director of Business Development.

GET IN TOUCH