Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) has launched a Product Development Fund (PDF) as part of its mission to accelerate technology development and innovation within the private sector in Qatar.
Local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are at least 20% Qatari-owned and have less than 250 employees are eligible to apply for the PDF. Applications will be assessed by a committee of industry experts and QSTP senior officials, on an iterative basis, to ensure they have a particular focus on business viability and are fully committed to widening the technology landscape in Qatar. 
The PDF is a subsidy-grant through which QSTP supports SMEs investing their own money into product development by matching their investment dollar-for-dollar. The scheme will contribute to the diversification of Qatar’s economy by funding SMEs and startups that aim to develop new, tech-rich products, or accelerate the development of existing products or services.
Dr Maher Hakim, managing director, QSTP, said, “Our PDF will focus on the development of concrete and marketable tech-rich products and will offer financial support to Qatar-based companies that are engaged in the development of tech products, serving to advance the local innovation ecosystem.We aim to attract local SMEs that are driven by a passion to address challenges specific to Qatar’s market needs.” 
The first two PDF agreements were signed recently with Qatari companies STA and Informatica Qatar (IQ) during a special ceremony at QSTP. 
Established in the QSTP Incubator, STA specialises in providing trusted data analytics and fusion facilities, and provides fully-managed, on-site hardware and software services and dedicated professional staff to securely analyse large volumes of information. The STA project supported by the PDF aims to develop a cyber-intelligence and incident coordination centre relevant to the Mena (Middle East and North Africa) region. 
IQ is a Qatari SME that began operating in the technology sector in 2008; it’s now planning to produce a new software tool that will help airports to achieve their targets. The real-time web dashboard visualises airport sensory information and data, and is one example of an innovative product that will be developed in Qatar and adopted around the world.
Qatar-based SMEs that are successful in securing PDF support will have access to subsidy funding of up to QR1.8mn, which can be used to develop new products, services, and processes, or enhance existing products that focus on one of QSTP’s priority sectors: Energy, environment, health sciences, and information and communication technologies.
QSTP’s support programmes provide entrepreneurs, SMEs, and startups with access to incubation, funding, training, and mentorship, with the aim of fostering an environment that promotes the commercialisation of technology innovation in Qatar and beyond.


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