Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development, and Innovation (QF RDI), has opened registration for its annual ‘Mena Dojo’ programme.
The programme is organised in collaboration with global venture capital seed fund, 500 Startups. The third edition of the popular regional accelerator will once again take place in Kuwait from March 31 to May 2. 
The ‘Mena Dojo’ programme is a regional spin-off of the coveted 500 Startups ‘Series A Accelerator Programme’. 
It targets technology startups from Qatar and the region that have reached a certain level of scale and are likely to raise Series A funding – funding that enables a startup to progress to the next stage – from just an idea to market research or product development in the next six to nine months. 
Participants in the programme receive invaluable hands-on training and mentorship focused on instilling a growth mindset and growth hacking and marketing techniques.  QSTP executive director Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh said, “We invite budding innovators to apply to the third edition of the popular ‘Mena Dojo’ series, an accelerator that has seen several previous participants receive large later stage investment and achieve their technology innovation ambitions. 
“The programme offers startups an opportunity to work under the guidance of seasoned growth mentors and ‘techpreneurs’, whose expertise they will be able to leverage to accelerate their ideas into a tangible and marketable product. 
“Participants can also look forward to networking with a group of like-minded people from across the Middle East, who is driven to address regional challenges through tech innovation.”
Participants in this year’s ‘Mena Dojo’ will showcase their startups during the Investor Day on May 2. 
The event will see innovative startups pitch their ideas and business models to an audience of business leaders, potential investors, tech experts, and members of the community, with the aim of securing follow-on investment. 
Dr Richard O’Kennedy, vice president for Research, Development and Innovation at Qatar Foundation, said: “Through programmes such as ‘Mena Dojo’, QSTP is furthering QF RDI’s commitment to nurturing a thriving innovation ecosystem that extends beyond the borders of Qatar. Our partnership with 500 Startups is also key to expanding our outreach and working towards tackling region-specific challenges, and we are honoured to once again offer budding ‘techpreneurs’ an opportunity to develop innovative solutions to address these needs.”
Several startups from previous ‘Mena Dojo’ batches have gone on to raise bridge funding, Series A investment, and Series B investment (the second round of funding, such as private equity investors and venture capitalists), including Souqalmal, Eatapp, Eventtus, At Home Doc, Justmop, Eyewa, and Nawah Scientific, among others. 
Technology startups based in Qatar that are interested in participating in the latest edition of the ‘Mena Dojo’ can apply on the QSTP website up to February 28. 
For more information, or to submit an application, visit www.qstp.org.qa.
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