Qatar Development Bank (QDB) will be opening applications for entrepreneurs at all stages of growth to participate in the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) 2022, one of the leading global startup pitch competitions.
QDB is the national organiser of the competition in Qatar and is responsible for managing the national finals for startups to advance all the way through to the EWC global finals. On a local level, the top three winners from the Qatar competition will receive prize money of $100,000.
The international competition features entrepreneurs from over 200 countries, offering winners over $1mn in cash prizes and support for startups to grow their business. The competition kicks off with nation-level rounds, after which the winners will qualify for the EWC finals where top entrepreneurs from around the world will compete. This year, the global finals will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 2022.
Abdulrahman Hesham al-Sowaidi, QDB acting CEO, said: “The EWC is one of many key initiatives that QDB deploys to support entrepreneurs and introduce them to international forums that cater to innovation and creativity. In addition, this initiative empowers the competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem, not only at the national level but also at the global one too, which eventually strengthens our endeavours in supporting SMEs and their ambitions nationally and internationally. Thus, we encourage innovative business minds & pioneers to apply and earn the chance to represent Qatar on an international level.”
Qatar is participating in the fourth edition of the EWC, which was launched in 2019. In the last two editions of the competition, enterprises from Asia grabbed first place (Todoc of South Korea in 2021 and Singapore’s TurtleTree Labs the year before).
The EWC is considered the most diverse of its kind as it welcomes enterprises from all stages whether they are in the idea stage, early stage, or growth stage. The eligibility criteria are not restrictive, but the company must be less than seven years old at the date of the global finals and must be licensed and registered in the country in which it operates.
The most notable advantages of participation in the EWC include gaining an opportunity to showcase the business in the international arena and benefit from the knowledge networks that the competition offers, as well as the educational resources that enterprises will receive upon registration.
All participants will have access to EWC Accelerates, a virtual training programme that will boost entrepreneurs’ chances to win in the national finals to advance to the next rounds. The top 100 global finalists will also receive a combined $100,000 worth of in-kind support.
Entrepreneurs who are interested to participate can apply via the EWC platform from July 28 until August 28, 2022. QDB will oversee the national finals in Qatar under the supervision of a specialised jury, representing some of QDB’s national partners. After that, the top three winners from Qatar will move on to the global finals in Saudi Arabia.
For more information about EWC, visit https://www.qdb.qa/en
Related Story