The Social Development Centre (SDC), a unit of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, participated in a recent seminar on financing start-ups in Qatar.

At the event held at Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics, SDC’s manager of projects and investment, Munther al-Dawood, spoke about the development of financing start-ups.

He defined these projects and divided them into three categories, according to their percentages in the Qatari market.

He also identified the various funding programmes and start-up sponsors in Qatar including the SDC’s Rasameel fund and services, which provide entrepreneurs a capital fund to promote the establishment of new business ideas.

Rasameel provided loans to 32 entrepreneurs during 2012-2013, and aims to offer 66 loans by 2016.  The fund offers a range of support services that include providing flexible financial loans without interest, guidance and counselling services, training services and marketing support for new projects.