The solar water purification team received the judges’ vote for the best pitch at the end-of-year competition featuring participants in the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIEP) Programme of Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP).In all, over 200 ideas were screened, and eight projects evaluated before six pitches made the final round of the contest, the result of nine months of hard work on various innovations.The themes ranged from solar water purification application for secure potable water to third world countries, stem cell based application to produce real blood, and to unlocking date palm genetic secrets technology.The TIEP participants’ pitches covered their innovations analysis outcomes, which they have been able to execute thanks to a methodical learning of innovative tools and entrepreneurial skills.The solar water purification team gathered primary data that identified the greatest unmet customer needs and expectations in key developing countries and finally settled on Cambodia as a viable target market.Cambodia was selected due to the high proportion of people living in remote rural communities with no access to clean drinking water and the opportunity for QSTP to collaborate with Qatar Foundation member Reach Out To Asia, linking education with technology transfer. The solar water purification technology has the potential to eliminate health risks among developing country communities and free up potential for human and economic development. The team pitched a business model that would secure long-term sustainable development. “The progress the TIEP participants made this year is remarkable,” programme manager Haya al-Ghanim said. “To learn about a technology beyond their areas of expertise, analyse the market, develop a business model and pitch it to experts is a truly challenging task, yet by their enthusiasm, persistence and entrepreneurial drive, the contestants benefited from the programme’s support to achieve their potential,” she stated.QSTP celebrated recently the graduation of 22 entrepreneurs, who had successfully completed the TIEP Programme 2010-11. This is the fourth class to graduate.The nine-month, executive education programme is action-based and focused on capacity-building through real-world experience in developing technology-based innovations and ventures. The main objective of TIEP is to create entrepreneurial capabilities and technology-based ventures to implement Qatar National Vision 2030 to build a knowledge-based economy.The next TEIP Programme will start on September 11, 2011 and run until May 2012. Application submission is open till early August 2011 (
www.qstp.org.qa/tiep)