The Doha chapter of a global independent startup community is working to broaden the scope and network of entrepreneurs in Qatar, thus opening a wider market for business opportunities.
The idea is to bring knowledge base content to entrepreneurs in Qatar and then to connect the entire ecosystem to a wider network, said 360 Nautica founder and chairman Dr Tejinder Singh, who established and launched Startup Grind Doha Chapter last year during the ‘Qatar Information Technology and Communication Conference and Exhibition’ (Qitcom).
In its website, Startup Grind stated that it “is the largest independent startup community, actively educating, inspiring, and connecting more than 2mn entrepreneurs in over 600 chapters.
“We nurture startup ecosystems in 125 countries through events, media, and partnerships with organisations like Google for Startups...founded in Silicon Valley, Startup Grind has helped millions of entrepreneurs build their businesses, connect with strategic partners, and secure funding.”
Speaking to Gulf Times, Singh said, “In the period to come, we are going to open the international knowledge base because as Startup Grind, we are connected to more than 200 directors and chapters across the world.”
He continued: “I am scheduled to go to Silicon Valley for a global meet of Startup Grind where we’ve got the ‘who’s who’ in the global startup industries and big tech companies. There will be dialogue during the entire event, as well as a lot of networking opportunities.
“In the future, we will be bringing startups here to Silicon Valley, and I can represent Qatar startups across all sectors there through Startup Grind Doha on a yearly basis. This will help expose them to 200 other different chapters and to millions of entrepreneurs, as well as investors across the community.”
Singh stressed that bringing Qatar entrepreneurs to Silicon Valley “all depends on the growth” of the startup industry in Qatar.
“We can open the gate; this year, I would start identifying potential startups, and then in one of the global meets in the future we might see someone from Doha representing Startup Grind,” Singh pointed out.
Following its official launch at Qitcom 2019, Startup Grind Doha Chapter held the ‘Journey to Series A’ seminar featuring Haris Aghadi of Meddy, Qatar’s largest doctor booking platform.
The group’s third event held in Doha last Tuesday featured four industry leaders, specialising in accelerating and incubating startups in Qatar: Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) Accelerators programme manager Mohamed Zebian, A/Digital Incubation Centre (DIC) manager Duha Ali al-Buhendi, Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC) head of Incubation Majed Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, and Qatar SportsTech’s Heba al-Masri.
“In the last five years, these organisations stood as witnesses to the growth and development of startups in Qatar, so we wanted to get them here and share with the audience what they are doing and what they are offering. Based on that, the aim is to let the participants know the progress that has happened in Qatar, though there is still a long way to go,” Singh said.
He added: “This also makes us understand where the ecosystem is and what directions to take, and most importantly, what Startup Grind Doha and 360 Nautica could contribute in the journey ahead.
“And with the help of these four pillars from the government and semi-government sector, they could bridge the gap and help connect everybody through these types of events, which we plan to do on a monthly basis.”


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