Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC) announced yesterday the sixth wave of its LeanStartup winners by marking its two-year success in a celebratory, special edition “Demo Day” at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).
The Demo Day marks the end of the 10-week LeanStartup Programme, giving successful entrepreneurs a chance to be further supported and incubated at QBIC. QBIC has incubated eight startups, two of which will be incubated under the specialised “QBIC Tourism incubator.”
In addition to highlighting the success stories of some “QBICpreneurs,” 16 startups pitched their ideas to a panel of judges, investors, and key partners at the QNCC, under the sponsorship of QNB for the third consecutive time.
The event witnessed business ideas varying from tourism, technology, IT, fashion, and education from competing entrepreneurs. Specialised incubator, QBIC Tourism, which was established in partnership with Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), offered entrepreneurs with tourism-related business ideas.
Qatar Development Bank (QDB) CEO and QBIC chairman Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, said: “We’re pleased for not only announcing brand new incubatees, who successfully completed our renowned LeanStartup Programme but for being able to share the success of our existing entrepreneurs in this special celebration of Demo Day.
“With 52 startups currently being incubated at QBIC, I can safely assert that with the help of our partners and by unifying our efforts, we’re playing a central role in developing Qatar’s private sector and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).”
He added: “QBIC’s pivotal and encompassing role proves that it is greater than a centre that provides specialised incubation services. QBIC stands as an educational platform, actively involved in enlightening entrepreneurs in Qatar by hosting regular speaker series sessions, open days, trade fairs, and common purpose programmes, aligning itself with Qatar’s wider national development.”
QBIC CEO Aysha al-Mudahka said: “It’s an overwhelming feeling to witness the successes achieved by QBIC startups throughout the two short years since our first Demo Day. We anticipate that soon, entrepreneurship will be comfortably viewed as a legitimate career-choice amongst many Qataris of all ages.”
Khalid Majed al-Naemi, AGM SME Banking Group Corporate and Institutional Banking at QNB said: “We’re always pleased to be the official sponsors of QBIC’s Demo Days. After our participation in three consecutive Demo Days, it’s not surprising to see the range of ideas evolve to better serve our local economy.”
Incubated companies are now expected to complete a three-month probation period, where they will set milestones that ensure the idea fulfils QBIC’s requirements to undergo a successful launch. They will then activate their startups and introduce their products or services to the local market. More information on QBIC’s incubated companies is available at www.qbic.qa
QBIC LeanStartup Programme winners celebrate during the ‘Demo Day’ held at the QNCC.
