Scale7, the first fashion and design business incubator in Qatar – founded by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) in partnership with M7 – has opened for applications to the Incubation Programme, the organisation’s pioneering business incubation, training and mentorship initiative.
The programme, designed to offer workshops, coaching and mentorship to a number of selected startups, envisions to support designers during the idea stage with a Minimum Viable Product (pre-revenues) through coaching sessions to test their ideas and receive feedback before the market launch. The best performing startups will be shortlisted for the acceleration programme.
The programme enriches the current fashion ecosystem in Qatar by investing in local designers and fashion startups at their “idea stage” and transfer the relevant knowledge and competencies in order to see them succeed in the market.
To be a part of the programme, startups should be in the pre-revenue stage with MVP, hence not currently generating substantial revenues. They should also be active in fashion and design and should have great market potential.
On the launch of the programme, Aysha Khalifa al-Romaihi, head of Strategic Initiatives and Business Collaborations at QDB and project manager of Scale7, said: “The Incubation Program aims to address increasing demand for innovative-based entrepreneurship ventures in Qatar and the wider region. Scale7 takes a unique approach to conducting its Incubation Programme, which not only focuses on technical training and education, but also helps participants evaluate the commercial viability and social impact of their business".
"We work with various institutions in Qatar and beyond to ensure the programme is delivered in a creative and interactive manner. We are delighted to hold the first wave of the Incubation Programme and we invite aspiring entrepreneurs to join us and actively contribute to Qatar’s growing creative entrepreneurship ecosystem," she added.
Entrepreneurs interested in taking part in the programme will be entitled to smart funding and in-kind support. These entrepreneurs will gain continuous mentoring from global experts alongside an opportunity to attend enlightening workshops.
Furthermore, privileged participants will also be gaining access to immense networking opportunities with industry experts in the fashion and technology innovation ecosystem. The programme will encompass eight workshops, two speaker series, six hours of FTA coaching for each start-up as well as 6 hours of international mentorship.
The programme will commence on September 13 and end on November 29. The final date for application will be on September 1 followed by the Selection Day for the qualified applications.
The programme enriches the current fashion ecosystem in Qatar by investing in local designers and fashion startups at their “idea stage” and transfer the relevant knowledge and competencies in order to see them succeed in the market.
To be a part of the programme, startups should be in the pre-revenue stage with MVP, hence not currently generating substantial revenues. They should also be active in fashion and design and should have great market potential.
On the launch of the programme, Aysha Khalifa al-Romaihi, head of Strategic Initiatives and Business Collaborations at QDB and project manager of Scale7, said: “The Incubation Program aims to address increasing demand for innovative-based entrepreneurship ventures in Qatar and the wider region. Scale7 takes a unique approach to conducting its Incubation Programme, which not only focuses on technical training and education, but also helps participants evaluate the commercial viability and social impact of their business".
"We work with various institutions in Qatar and beyond to ensure the programme is delivered in a creative and interactive manner. We are delighted to hold the first wave of the Incubation Programme and we invite aspiring entrepreneurs to join us and actively contribute to Qatar’s growing creative entrepreneurship ecosystem," she added.
Entrepreneurs interested in taking part in the programme will be entitled to smart funding and in-kind support. These entrepreneurs will gain continuous mentoring from global experts alongside an opportunity to attend enlightening workshops.
Furthermore, privileged participants will also be gaining access to immense networking opportunities with industry experts in the fashion and technology innovation ecosystem. The programme will encompass eight workshops, two speaker series, six hours of FTA coaching for each start-up as well as 6 hours of international mentorship.
The programme will commence on September 13 and end on November 29. The final date for application will be on September 1 followed by the Selection Day for the qualified applications.
