Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH), founded by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) to support the growth of the fintech industry in Qatar, has announced the final list of successful fintechs to join Wave 3 of its incubator and accelerator programmes. Both programmes started on October 12 and will run until December 2021.
QFTH has received more than 500 applications from early-stage and mature fintechs from over 40 countries, including the US, the UK, Turkey, Singapore, and Qatar for the Wave 3 programmes.
The applications went through a rigorous and multilevel evaluation process, where over 45 fintechs were shortlisted to present their solutions via virtual pitch days judged by a panel of representatives from QFTH stakeholders and strategic partners. The top 16 were selected and invited to participate in the incubator and accelerator programmes. Selected fintechs focused on the theme ‘Embedded Finance and TechFin’ in the technology solutions presented.
For early-stage, 10 fintechs have been enrolled in Wave 3 of the incubator programme, including five from Qatar, while the remaining ones come from Canada, Luxembourg, and India, among others. The six mature fintechs who have joined the accelerator programme are based in India, Sudan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Hamad Dashin al-Qahtani, SME’s Incubation & Acceleration manager, QDB, said: “I am very happy to announce the launch of Wave 3 of our programmes with a carefully curated suite of fintechs that address the challenges facing the financial sector in Qatar and the region.”
“Our programmes have witnessed tremendous success since their launch. The previous two waves were received with great interest from local and international stakeholders. This is only telling of the co-ordination we have with our partners to ensure the growth of the sector so that Qatar can become a regional hub for disruptive fintech solutions, catering to the needs of the global market,” he said.
Al-Qahtani added: “With the backing of QCB and the rest of our partners, the QFTH incubator and accelerator aim to introduce the newest technologies in order to fortify Qatar’s positioning as a leader in financial technology regionally and globally; as well as contribute to Qatar National Vision 2030.”
For 12 weeks, Wave 3 will offer participating fintechs a unique incubation and acceleration journey with all the essential support required to establish their businesses locally and to grow regionally and internationally.
In addition to cash investments of up to $100,000 for accelerators and up to $40,000 for incubators, each participating fintech will receive in-kind support with a value of up to $250,000. This will include bespoke mentoring and training services provided by QFTH, its strategic partners, and a mentor network of over 35 international and local mentors.
Fintechs will also receive support on licensing needs in Qatar and a fee waiver on registration. Licensing opportunities from Qatar Financial Centre, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with 15 local financial institutions and regulators, and a range of business development and investment opportunities on a global scale will also be available.
As part of its commitment to offer world-class expertise to participating fintechs, QFTH has collaborated with local and international institutions, including financial institutions, technology and service providers, payment networks, academic institutions, and regulators, as well as partnering with other fintech hubs from Singapore, the UK, Turkey, Australia, Slovakia, Nigeria, Ukraine, and Sweden.
Wave 3 of both the incubator and accelerator programmes will be conducted virtually. The programmes will culminate with a Demo Day in January, where representatives from each of the participating fintechs will showcase their innovations to QFTH partners, industry influencers, and potential investors.
For more information about QFTH, visit www.fintech.qa
 
 
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