Today, the Investment Promotion Agency announced the launch of the “Venture Capital” feature through its digital platform, “Invest Qatar Portal,” in cooperation with the Qatar Investment Authority, with the aim of facilitating emerging companies’ access to funding sources and investment opportunities available in the country, in a way that supports their growth and contributes to expanding the scope of their business.
The agency confirmed that the launch of this feature comes in support of the State of Qatar’s ongoing efforts to enhance the startup and innovation system, and to consolidate its position as a leading center for entrepreneurship and investment in technology and future sectors.
The new feature, available to all members of the Invest Qatar Portal, provides a unified and simplified platform that allows startups to easily explore and apply for financing opportunities from venture capital funds, and to view the targeted investment sectors and eligibility criteria for participating funds, a number of which are supported by the Qatar Investment Authority within the Qatar Investment Authority’s holding fund program worth $3 billion.
The feature also provides access to a group of support programs and value-added services, and enables emerging companies to submit their investment offers directly to fund managers, thus enhancing their chances of obtaining the financing opportunities necessary for the growth and expansion of their business.
By providing these resources and services in an integrated platform, the portal enhances efficiency and transparency in the financing search journey, and facilitates access to it.
This initiative embodies the Investment Promotion Agency’s commitment to supporting innovation and empowering startups, by connecting entrepreneurs directly to a selected network of venture capital funds.
The agency explained that the feature includes, in the first phase, a growing network of partners supporting the entrepreneurship ecosystem, most notably the Technology Ventures Fund of the Qatar Science and Technology Park, in addition to a number of venture capital funds supported by the Qatar Investment Authority, including: “i-Typical Ventures,” “B Capital,” “Builders VC Middle East and North Africa,” “Deerfield,” “The Utopia Studio,” “Founders Circle Capital,” and “Graycroft.” Human Capital, Ion Pacific, Liberty City Ventures, Capital Ventures, Shurooq, Speed Invest, and The Radical Fund.
Commenting on the launch of the new feature, Dr. Hamad Rashid Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Strategy at the Investment Promotion Agency, said: “The venture capital financing feature represents an important strategic step that falls within our continuing efforts to build an integrated system that supports entrepreneurs at various stages of business growth. This initiative is consistent with the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030 aimed at building an economy based on innovation and diversification, as it constitutes a practical tool to achieve these goals.”
He added: “Through our cooperation with the Holding Fund Program of the Qatar Investment Authority, we are working to enable emerging companies to access financing, networks of relationships, expertise, and resources that they need to grow, expand, and compete on a global level.”
For her part, Ms. Haya Al-Ghanem, Director of the Qatari Funds Department at the Qatar Investment Authority, said: “In light of the continuous growth of the venture capital system in the State of Qatar, this feature contributes to providing a unified platform that gives entrepreneurs a clearer view of investment opportunities, and facilitates their communication with fund managers. This initiative is consistent with our joint efforts aimed at strengthening Qatar’s position as a leading regional center for innovation and entrepreneurship.”
The Investment Promotion Agency invited emerging companies wishing to obtain financing from venture capital funds to visit the “Invest Qatar Portal”, explore the new venture capital financing feature, view the participating funds supported by the Qatar Investment Authority, learn about their investment trends and eligibility criteria, and submit their investment offers directly to fund managers.