Entrepreneurs and startup owners stand to gain from Qatar’s dynamic and flourishing entrepreneurship ecosystem because of the state’s world-class facilities and easy access to a wide range of incubators and accelerators, according to a panel of startup mentors.
The panel of experts delivered a thorough discussion on the steps to take before embarking on a startup journey, among other significant topics, during the webinar titled ‘Startup Mentoring – Learnings & Challenges’ hosted by Startup Grind Doha led by its chapter director, Dr Tejinder Singh. The discussion was moderated by Steve Mackie, founder of Business Startup Qatar.
The event also elaborated on how mentors can make a remarkable difference through their extensive career, entrepreneurship, and industry-specific experience and help the participants better understand their potential to capitalise on target markets.
The panel also discussed why it is essential for startups to seek advice from mentors, what are some of the common mistakes by startup founders, and also how Qatar’s ecosystem has become more collaborative and supportive compared to previous years.
Startup mentor and prototyping trainer Agata Braje noted that following the end of the three-year economic blockade earlier this year, Qatar is again on track to being “an awesome environment to start a new business.”
“There are so many acceleration programmes, so many innovational opportunities, so many private investors who are willing to put their money into promising ideas, so that's definitely a great thing,” Braje explained.
Certified business coach Ramzi Hasan pointed out that Qatar has put in place a system that provides entrepreneurs and startup owners access to major incubators and leading investors.
“The infrastructure in Qatar is ready. There are a lot of young people who have many innovative ideas. Age is not a basis for success. You can start young and be successful in your chosen career. The opportunities are massive,” he stressed.
He added: “Rather than duplicating an existing idea or product, start by thinking how can your idea solve or address a problem in the market using an innovative method. The Qatar Smart Programme (Tasmu) is a good initiative that could support that kind of idea.”
Wissam Costandi, startup mentor for Qatar Science & Technology Park’s (QSTP) XLR8 programme, said: “The ecosystem here has matured dramatically since I first arrived in Qatar.
“There is a lot of support infrastructure now in the country and they’re really trying to push people to go and make a change on a global scale. Qatar is a big classroom to launch globally.”
Dania Khaled, business development mentor at Qatar SportsTech (QST), said the country has “amazing potential” for many startups and entrepreneurs to grow in Qatar, but she cautioned potential entrepreneurs to be careful when selecting a project to introduce to the market.
“There's so much competition because Qatar is the perfect breeding environment for entrepreneurs and startups, so we have to be careful to avoid over saturating the market and create resistance for good startups that are actually out there…focus on unique selling points, and what makes your idea different from the rest of the existing products in the market,” she said.
The panel of experts delivered a thorough discussion on the steps to take before embarking on a startup journey, among other significant topics, during the webinar titled ‘Startup Mentoring – Learnings & Challenges’ hosted by Startup Grind Doha led by its chapter director, Dr Tejinder Singh. The discussion was moderated by Steve Mackie, founder of Business Startup Qatar.
The event also elaborated on how mentors can make a remarkable difference through their extensive career, entrepreneurship, and industry-specific experience and help the participants better understand their potential to capitalise on target markets.
The panel also discussed why it is essential for startups to seek advice from mentors, what are some of the common mistakes by startup founders, and also how Qatar’s ecosystem has become more collaborative and supportive compared to previous years.
Startup mentor and prototyping trainer Agata Braje noted that following the end of the three-year economic blockade earlier this year, Qatar is again on track to being “an awesome environment to start a new business.”
“There are so many acceleration programmes, so many innovational opportunities, so many private investors who are willing to put their money into promising ideas, so that's definitely a great thing,” Braje explained.
Certified business coach Ramzi Hasan pointed out that Qatar has put in place a system that provides entrepreneurs and startup owners access to major incubators and leading investors.
“The infrastructure in Qatar is ready. There are a lot of young people who have many innovative ideas. Age is not a basis for success. You can start young and be successful in your chosen career. The opportunities are massive,” he stressed.
He added: “Rather than duplicating an existing idea or product, start by thinking how can your idea solve or address a problem in the market using an innovative method. The Qatar Smart Programme (Tasmu) is a good initiative that could support that kind of idea.”
Wissam Costandi, startup mentor for Qatar Science & Technology Park’s (QSTP) XLR8 programme, said: “The ecosystem here has matured dramatically since I first arrived in Qatar.
“There is a lot of support infrastructure now in the country and they’re really trying to push people to go and make a change on a global scale. Qatar is a big classroom to launch globally.”
Dania Khaled, business development mentor at Qatar SportsTech (QST), said the country has “amazing potential” for many startups and entrepreneurs to grow in Qatar, but she cautioned potential entrepreneurs to be careful when selecting a project to introduce to the market.
“There's so much competition because Qatar is the perfect breeding environment for entrepreneurs and startups, so we have to be careful to avoid over saturating the market and create resistance for good startups that are actually out there…focus on unique selling points, and what makes your idea different from the rest of the existing products in the market,” she said.
