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The Digital Incubation Center (DIC) at the Ministry of Transport and Communications once again opened its doors to a new group of young, tech-savvy entrepreneurs who have innovative technology-related ideas, fledgling ICT start-ups, or who are ready to start an ICT company.  11 new startup teams and 14 Idea Stage teams have joined the incubation center this August, 2016.

The 25 teams were chosen after a rigorous selection process.  The judges for the final selection of the startups were Abdulaziz Al Khal from QMIC, Mahmoud Abdellatif Khalil from Qatar University, Najat Abdulraheem from Ooredoo, Dr. Munir Tag from QNRF and a representative from QDB. With this new intake the total number of Tech Startup teams that are incubated at DIC has reached 44.

In its new intake of May 2016, the DIC was looking for both aspiring and current entrepreneurs who are capable of harnessing emerging technologies to create innovative products, solutions, and services that will contribute to Qatar’s thriving digital sector, and the tech solutions being incubated from the 25 new teams are in the areas of Cyber Security, Edutainment, e-commerce, Gaming, Digital Content and Smart City Solutions.

Reem Al Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary - Digital Society Sector of MOTC, speaking on the new intake said; “We are excited with the new batch that has joined the DIC. The new teams are working on innovative technologies and much needed solutions for Qatar. The objective of the DIC has been to provide the necessary support for new tech start-ups to emerge from Qatar. Developing the technology sector in the country plays a key role in our transformation towards a smart society. We believe the youth of Qatar has the capacity to achieve great success if given the right support mechanisms, such as these incubation programs.”

The Center offers two tracks: the Launchpad, a 6-month program that helps entrepreneurs nurture their ICT ideas and turn them into business opportunities; and the 2-year Start-up track for early stage start-ups and potential start-ups that need help in accelerating the development of their business. DIC offers expertise and professional guidance in technology and business, access to workspace, business planning, education and training, mentors, legal advice, software/hardware and office space. Even though the center does not fund the startups directly, the different services that each startup receives during the 2 year period amounts to around QR 400,000 in indirect support.