Eight aspiring technology startups showcased their innovative solutions in front of investors, students, industry experts, and fellow entrepreneurs during Demo Day for Cycle 13 of Qatar Science & Technology Park’s (QSTP) flagship ‘XLR8 Programme’.
The event saw innovators demonstrate the commercial viability of their solutions giving attendees the opportunity to explore how tech-based inventions fill a market need. Three promising startups, Blend-Stocks, Samples Yard, and Darbi, won first, second, and third place, respectively.
Blend-Stocks is an innovative software solution, which helps crude oil refineries automate large-scale blend scheduling, maximise resource utilisation, and minimise costs.
Samples Yard is a digital sampling platform that connects architects and interior designers with architectural material manufacturers on a single platform.
Darbi, on the other hand, is an online platform, which supports high school students in Qatar and the Mena region to discover their passion, access career counselling, and explore university options.
QSTP runs its ‘XLR8 Programme’ twice a year with a maximum of 40 teams as part of its mission to advance technological entrepreneurship in Qatar. Spanning 14 weeks of intensive training and mentoring, the programme empowers participants to realise their entrepreneurial ambitions by guiding them to move from the ideation stage to a validated, minimum-viable product.
Demo Day marks the culmination of the programme, providing participants with a platform to gain hands-on experience to pitch their ideas to potential investors and launch their tech ventures.
Winning teams will receive intensive mentorship focused on launching their startup from QSTP’s network of international mentors, experts, and investors, as well as secure an office space in QSTP’s Innovation Hub.
Mohamed Zebian, QSTP Program Manager, Acceleration, said: “It’s always exciting to see the passion and creativity of our XLR8 participants, who are keen to showcase their innovative ideas.
“We congratulate the winners of this cycle and value their contribution to Qatar’s innovation landscape as they advance from the development stage towards entering the local market.”
Mahmoud Abdulrasheed Ahmednooh, Production Planning Engineer at Qatar Energy refinery, and founder of Blend-Stocks, said: “My team and I realised that there aren’t many software options in the market to help with the gasoline production process, which leads to inefficiencies and therefore unnecessary financial loss. So, we decided to create a solution that can help automate the blending process, optimise gasoline production, reduce inefficiency, and save costs.”
Co-founder of Samples Yard and architect, Alaa al-Khatib, said: “Connecting architects and interior designers with construction material manufacturers will simplify and speed up the arduous and time-consuming process of sourcing material samples. Our platform is almost ready and we’re excited to launch it into the market soon.”
Sara el-Amin, a teacher at Qatar Foundation’s Academyati School and founder of Darbi, said: “High school students should be able to make informed decisions and take charge of their own future. And they can do that by using our online platform, which is a one-stop-shop to help them find their passion and explore and apply to universities.”
QSTP, a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), supports tech-based entrepreneurship ventures in Qatar through incubation, funding, training, mentorship, and connection to the regional and global tech innovation ecosystem. Through its year-round programs, QSTP boosts new product development, innovation, and collaboration with QF’s research institutes.
XLR8 Cycle 13 winners and programme mentors during Demo Day.
