The officials of Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), Mohammed Zebian, Programme Manager, Accelerators; Yousuf Abdulrahman Saleh, Executive Director and Haya Al Abdullah, Innovation Director; during the Demo Day held at the QSTP recently. Pic: Sali
Doha: A flagship accelerator programme at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) has made a significant impact on the entrepreneurial field in Qatar and across the region.
The two-month XLR8 accelerator programme at QSTP - part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation (QF RDI) is offers training and mentorship to participants, to help them bridge the gap between the creation and commercialization of a product in order to successfully develop it into a market viable solution.
Such thirteen aspiring startups were given an opportunity to pitch their ideas to members of the local tech community at the Demo Day of the 7th cycle of XLR8 program, held recently.
“Three years ago, we began this program to inspire and cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship in Qatar. We envisioned this program to have a significant impact not only on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Qatar, but across the region,” said Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh, Executive Director, QSTP.
“At QSTP, we strongly believe that investment in human capital is the cornerstone of developing a knowledge-based economy in Qatar. XLR8, among many other QSTP initiatives, is a testament to the confidence we have in our local talent.
I am very proud to say that our graduates of the XLR8 program are already attracting significant investment, as they expand their start-ups into international markets,” he added. On Demo Day, graduating teams presented their startup ideas to an audience of technology professionals, investors and industry experts. This year’s cohort included 13 teams that were shortlisted to join XLR8.
“Participating teams have received guidance from mentors who specialize in the commercialization of tech-based innovations, and have years of real-life, hands-on experience in what it takes to launch and grow tech-based startups,” Mohammad Zebian, Programme Manager, Accelerators, QSTP told The Peninsula.
“Among these teams there were two potential start ups by Qataris. They are ‘iTaza,’ an app that helps consumers buy fruits and vegetables based on their specific quality requirements and specifications and ‘Therappy,’ an app that connects patients to a global network of medical specialists of their choice,” he added.
Since its inception in 2015, more than 300 participants have graduated from the XLR8 program and it has helped launch 19 startups, two of which have secured follow-on investment and are operating in both the regional and global markets.
