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The government is positioning itself not only as a regulator but also as the first customer in Qatar’s innovation ecosystem, according to an official of the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council.Nejoud M al-Jehani, executive director of Strategy & Programmes at the QRDI Council, said this dual role is critical to building confidence in new technologies and enabling startups and corporates to scale.Al‑Jehani explained at the ‘Ibtechar Majlis’ panel discussion that public institutions must lead by example, adopting innovative solutions to address national challenges. By defining problems clearly and piloting solutions, she emphasised that government entities create demand and demonstrate viability.“Government must be the first customer. When we adopt solutions, we give the market confidence to grow,” al-Jehani told her fellow panellists Eman al-Kuwari, director of Digital Innovation at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT); Dr Georgios Dimitropoulos, professor and associate dean for Research at the College of Law, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU); and Hissa al-Tamimi, director of Governmental Innovation Department at the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CGB).Engineer Nayef al-Ibrahim, co-founder and CEO of Ibtechar, moderated the discussion, which explored the development of a Public Innovation Lab (PIL) ecosystem that would help to improve efficiency, service delivery further, and encourage greater citizen participation.During the discussion, al-Jehani also underscored the importance of government adoption in shaping the innovation landscape, signalling to entrepreneurs and investors that “new technologies are credible and worth pursuing.”Beyond adoption, al-Jehani emphasised the enabling role of government - setting standards, operating partnerships, and ensuring regulatory frameworks evolve alongside technology. She said, “Our role is not only to regulate but to enable - by setting standards, opening partnerships, and creating space for collaboration.”According to al-Jehani, this approach helps create a fertile environment where startups, corporates, and researchers can collaborate with confidence. She noted that it also ensures that innovation is not confined to internal reform but extends across the ecosystem, creating value for society at large.Al-Jehani’s statements were also complemented by al-Kuwari, who described how the Tasmu Innovation Lab provides controlled sandboxes for testing emerging technologies before full rollout.Al-Tamimi, meanwhile, highlighted the role of government accelerators in embedding an innovation culture and improving Qatar’s standing in global innovation rankings. Similarly, Dimitropoulos stressed the importance of academia-government collaboration in building credibility and accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies.

The Digital Incubation Center (DIC) under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) announced the signing of an agreement with Ibtechar Digital Solutions LLC, supported by AlchemistX and Innovation Foundry. The initiative aims to develop and implement the operational framework for the centre as part of the ministry's efforts to strengthen innovation and digital entrepreneurship in Qatar.The agreement was signed by Eman al-Kuwari, Director of Digital Innovation at MCIT, and Nayef al-Ibrahim, Co-Founder and CEO of Ibtechar.Eman al-Kuwari stated: "This agreement aims to empower young Qataris and innovators to transform their ideas into successful ventures that contribute to building a diversified and sustainable digital economy. It is a practical step toward strengthening the digital business ecosystem by providing startups with the technical support, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities they need togrow and turn promising ideas into competitive projects at the regional and global levels."Nayef al-Ibrahim commented: "This partnership marks a pivotal milestone in Ibtechar's journey, as we bring our specialised expertise in designing, developing, and delivering entrepreneurial programmes and innovation-driven initiatives to support the startups housed within the Digital Incubation Center. Through this collaboration, we will empower entrepreneurs to develop robust business models, test their products, and connect with customers and markets more effectively. At Ibtechar, we firmly believe that an integrated ecosystem - bringing together advanced training, tailored mentorship, and specialised technical support - creates a stronger environment for startups to grow and scale, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and its commitment to fostering a diversified, knowledge-based economy. We are proud of this partnership and fully committed to supporting the centre's pathway to deliver tangible impact and measurable value for incubated startups."This agreement represents a significant step toward accelerating digital innovation and supporting digital entrepreneurship, aligning with the pillars of the Digital Agenda 2030. 

Qatari innovation firm Ibtechar has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Qatar’s innovation ecosystem and empowering individuals and institutions to translate ideas into tangible, sustainable outcomes during its participation in Rowad 2025, which concluded Wednesday.Its commitment was reflected in the company’s thought-leadership panel, engaging youth workshops, and interactive booth, stated Ibtechar co-founder and CEO Nayef al-Ibrahim. He said: “Our participation at Rowad emphasises our commitment to building Qatar’s innovation capacity and ability to deliver practical, tailored solutions.Rowad is a key platform for meaningful collaboration, knowledge exchange, and we’re proud to contribute to its impact.” He added: “Through our panel discussion, youth workshops, and interactive booth, we engaged directly with students, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders.Our diverse presence helps us understand real challenges on the ground, share targeted expertise, and support organisations in turning innovative ideas into impactful solutions, contributing directly to Qatar’s sustainable growth.” The panel discussion on ‘Education, Culture, and Innovation in Global Entrepreneurship’ featured al-Ibrahim, alongside speakers from renowned local and regional organisations, including Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Qatar Foundation’s World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), Edraak from the Queen Rania Foundation, and ElGooru, a leading regional edtech startup.The discussion highlighted education, culture, and innovation as core pillars of global entrepreneurship, shaping globally minded founders and fostering resilient, sustainable ecosystems across the Arab world. As part of its youth-focused initiatives, Ibtechar conducted two interactive workshops aimed at nurturing artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking among middle school, high school, and university students.The first workshop, titled ‘From Problem to Prototype: Introduction to Design Thinking’, gathered over 80 high school and university students, introducing them to the core principles of design thinking through a fast-paced, interactive challenge.The second workshop on ‘Smart Startups/AI-Augmented Entrepreneur: Using AI to Launch and Run Your Business’ was conducted by AI Crafters, Ibtechar’s strategic partner, a company dedicated to the advancement, adoption and use of artificial intelligence in professional environments.Throughout Rowad 2025, Ibtechar’s booth served as a dynamic hub for exchange and innovation, attracting visitors from various sectors and industries. Visitors explored the company’s diverse portfolio of programmes that bridge strategy and implementation and demonstrate how Ibtechar empowers institutions with tailored, agile capacity to deliver impactful progress and create lasting national value.