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Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has concluded the 11th edition of the ‘Rowad Entrepreneurship Conference 2025’, which was held under the theme ‘Beyond Boundaries: Scaling, Sustaining, and Succeeding’. The event attracted more than 5,200 visitors who attended a wide range of specialised activities designed to support startups and strengthen innovation across Qatar’s national entrepreneurship ecosystem.This year’s edition was organised in collaboration with the Young Entrepreneurs Club, which hosted within the conference the second edition of the Young Entrepreneurs Media Forum. The forum witnessed strong engagement and notable participation from leading entities, entrepreneurs, and media-focused companies. QDB CEO Abdulrahman bin Hesham al-Sowaidi said, “Rowad exceeded expectations this year, delivering one of the most impactful entrepreneurship support platforms both locally and regionally.The event fulfilled its purpose of opening new horizons filled with opportunities that empower entrepreneurs in Qatar to scale their businesses and compete in new markets. “This year’s conference provided a strong platform to reinforce the role of the private sector in driving national economic diversification in line with the objectives of the Third National Development Strategy.” He added: “By bringing together all components of the entrepreneurship ecosystem under one dynamic umbrella, Rowad enabled deeper collaboration and knowledge exchange.The success of this year’s edition is owed to the support of our partners and sponsors, and to the active participation of investors and companies who chose to showcase their innovative products and services at Rowad.” With the conclusion of this year’s edition, QDB reaffirms its commitment to advancing innovation, driving sustainable growth, and strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Qatar.QDB stated that it will continue enabling local founders to expand into new markets through innovative partnerships and programs that support the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

Qatar Development Bank (QDB) announced a major expansion of its support for entrepreneurs at the 11th edition of the Rowad Entrepreneurship Conference, unveiling new investment packages designed to attract global startups to Doha.Speaking at the conference’s opening ceremony, QDB CEO Abdulrahman bin Hesham al-Sowaidi said: “I am pleased to announce the doubling of investment packages: up to QR4mn for seed stage companies and up to QR20mn for growth stage companies. This programme serves as a bridge for outstanding startups worldwide to establish in Qatar and expand globally.”Al-Sowaidi emphasised that entrepreneurship in Qatar has evolved into a national endeavour, supported by the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3). He noted that the private sector’s role in venture capital “is expanding rapidly.”“Last year, private sector participation reached 57% of total venture capital investments. We continue our journey towards achieving the national target of 70% by 2030,” he explained.QDB’s investment arm now ranks fourth among the most active investors in the Middle East and North Africa, with direct and indirect investments exceeding “QR350mn.” The bank has also tripled the value of single co-investment deals to “QR11mn,” strengthening partnerships with local and international funds.Al-Sowaidi highlighted QDB’s partnerships with the Qatar Investment Authority’s (QIA) Fund of Funds programme, including the launch of the HealthTech Accelerator with Deerfield’s Cure programme, which connects Doha and New York. He also pointed to the creation of Qatar’s first venture building studio, The studio, in collaboration with Utopia Capital Management.Capacity building initiatives have also been central to QDB’s strategy. More than 220 angel investors have been accredited through a programme with the Qatar Finance and Business Academy, paving the way for deeper engagement in venture capital across the region.“Aligned with Qatar’s ambition to be a launchpad rather than just a destination, we introduced the Startup Qatar Investment Programme. In just two years, it has supported more than 35 companies with investments exceeding QR130mn,” al-Sowaidi said.Al-Sowaidi stressed that digitalisation is now essential for competitiveness. QDB has rolled out a Digital Transformation programme, introduced the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) for self-assessment, and provided grants and financing to support companies in adopting advanced technologies.He cited figures from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) showing that 81% of early-stage entrepreneurs in Qatar rely on modern technology, evidence of the ecosystem’s ability to keep pace with global trends. QDB has also launched the Talent Community Programme, benefitting more than 50 entrepreneurs across 30 local and international companies, al-Sowaidi pointed out.He said this year’s Rowad conference gathered more than 120 local and international companies, 15 panel discussions, 45 workshops, and 28 startups competing to showcase their projects.“We stand at a moment where entrepreneurship moves from the margins to the centre of the economic system. The private sector is playing an increasingly vital role in driving development,” emphasised al-Sowaidi, who urged entrepreneurs and investors to seize the opportunity for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and deep partnerships.

Qatar Development Bank (QDB) kicked off Monday the 11th edition of the ‘Rowad Entrepreneurship Conference’, which will run until November 19 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).Organised in collaboration with the Young Entrepreneurs Club, the three-day event will also host the second ‘Young Entrepreneurs Media Forum’, featuring participation from government and private organisations, media professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs.His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal al-Thani led the opening ceremony of the conference, which carries the theme ‘Beyond Boundaries: Scaling, Sustaining, and Succeeding’.The event is held under the patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani.QDB CEO Abdulrahman bin Hesham al-Sowaidi said, “Today’s opening clearly demonstrates Rowad’s pivotal role in supporting entrepreneurship and fostering innovation and creative thinking at the national and regional levels.“The direct connections we've seen between companies and investors, and the knowledge sharing among experts and entrepreneurs, showcase this platform’s unique ability to forge new pathways for collaboration across Qatar's business ecosystem.”He added: “Rowad’s core mission is to create an environment where companies can access the knowledge, relationships, and opportunities they need to thrive. We want every innovator to gain valuable insights into market dynamics, enabling them to plan strategically and grow with confidence.”According to QDB, this year’s theme charts a strategic course for entrepreneurship, emphasising excellence in business model development, market expansion, and leveraging sustainability and innovation as competitive differentiators that attract investment.The 2025 edition offers a rich and diverse programme, including a startup exhibition that features innovative solutions from 120 local and international companies. The conference hosts over 100 speakers and experts, more than 30 specialised workshops, and 15 panel discussions organised across four thematic tracks.The sessions tackle critical topics for Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: strategies for scaling operations and entering new markets, leveraging global demand to refine products and services, prioritising sustainability, and embracing innovative solutions.An interactive pitch platform allows entrepreneurs to present their ventures to investors and explore funding opportunities, while dedicated meetings between startups and investors facilitate partnership building and investment discussions.The conference enjoys strong institutional support, with strategic partners including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, alongside strategic sponsor QNB Group.The 11th edition of Rowad builds on the conference’s established track record, strengthening Doha’s position as a dynamic innovation hub and premier entrepreneurship destination. Rowad is held as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).