The US embassy in Doha and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMUQ) partnered over the weekend to launch “3 Day Startup” (3DS) in Qatar, an American non-profit organisation that empowers the next generation of young business leaders.
Over 40 students representing universities in Qatar collaborated to build innovative technology start-ups for Qatari and international markets during the three-day entrepreneurship “boot camp”.
The US ambassador to Qatar, Susan L Ziadeh, said: “To witness the energy and innovation of these students is truly inspirational. The entrepreneurial spirit is at the core of our shared mission to cultivate participatory and prosperous communities. Once again, the youth of Qatar have shown us that if you work hard and collaborate, everything is possible.”
Students came to the programme from a cross-section of disciplines such as business, computer science, communications, law, design. Since its inception five years ago, more than 2,500 3DS alumni from 55 worldwide events have started 39 technology companies that have collectively raised $9.5mn in investment capital.
CMUQ faculty members Dave Mawhinney, director of the Donald H Jones Center for Entrepreneurship, and Dr Milton Cofield, executive director, Undergraduate Programmes, took part in the programme to mentor the students throughout the weekend.
“Empowering our youth to become active constituents of today’s business society is the basis for developing a knowledge-based economy. This programme has brought together many talented and energetic young people who want to help achieve Qatar’s National Vision 2030 by founding and building new enterprises,” said professor and 3DS organiser Thomas Emerson.
The Qatar Chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organisation led by President Khalifa al-Misnad also mobilised successful Qatari entrepreneurs to mentor students on doing business in Qatar. Students came up with innovative solutions utilising their business acumen and creative flair such as online fitting experience, mobile inflight magazines, application for booking taxis in Qatar and a virtual market place for home catering.
Students demonstrated real prototypes for new technology start-ups in the hopes of attracting investment from established entrepreneurs.
Kenrick Fernandes, a participant and CMUQ computer science student, expressed his excitement about winning the 3DS team focus award. “It was great working with students from different backgrounds- our various skills sets complemented each other.”
CMUQ, VCUQ, Qatar University, Drexel University, TA&MU-Qatar, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, College of the North Atlantic, Stenden University, HMC, University of Leeds, TKM College of Engineering and ABP were the participating
universities.
Some of the participants in the programme.
