Qatar Business Incubation Center’s (QBIC) specialised incubator, QBIC Tourism, has incubated two new startups and one established SME seeking support to scale-up its operations.
QBIC recently concluded its 7th LeanStartup Program with a Demo Day event, which offered 15 participating startups the chance to pitch their business ideas. The pitches were evaluated by a panel of judges, investors and key partners, and successful businesses won the opportunity to become incubated and develop their companies further.
“In addition to giving us the opportunity to celebrate Qatar’s natural and cultural gems, tourism provides an important avenue to diversifying the national economy, and we are delighted that today we have introduced new additions to the country’s growing tourism offering,” said Aysha Al Mudahka, Chief Executive Officer of QBIC.
“The companies incubated at Demo Day will help shape the tourism sector in Qatar, and we call on more entrepreneurs to come forward with their ideas to help build an attractive tourism destination reflective of Qatar’s rich heritage.”
Two of the successful companies offered innovative tourism business ideas and have joined QBIC Tourism. The businesses are the first spear fishing academy in the world, located here in Qatar and an app matching hotel guests with the closest available limousine. The “International Spear-Fishing Academy” is an idea pitched by Dr Jamal Rashid Al Khanji as an effort to create the first of its kind state-of-the-art spear fishing programme. This academy will also provide certification once training is complete.
Meanwhile, the business idea for GoRidr was developed by Saleh Al Marri and partners, Ashley Titus and Maryanne Njeri.
The business aims to provide a personalised limousine service that is dedicated to hotels, helping to fulfil the variable demand of a hotel with prompt quick service of the closest available limousine and a rating system creating better customer service experience.
Seeking support to build itself up into a viable scale-up, Discover Arabia was directly incubated into QBIC Tourism. Last year, Discover Arabia, a kayaking and eco-adventures company provides tours through Qatar’s nature reserves and mangroves in addition to educational and community service experiences. “In line with the National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030, Discover Arabia aims to provide the best tourism experience through exploring Qatar’s beautiful landscapes, culture, long historical past and hidden assets. It was an obvious choice for us to approach QBIC Tourism and further strengthen our relationship with organisations that share our passion and drive to participate in developing Qatar’s tourism sector,” said founding member of Discover Arabia, Nasser Al Ghareeb.
QBIC Tourism is a specialised business incubator within QBIC, established through a partnership between Qatar Business Incubation Center, Qatar Development Bank and Qatar Tourism Authority.
Being incubated, the start-ups will have the opportunity to build on and expand their business ideas, with support and mentorship from QBIC and QTA.
Potential entrepreneurs looking to take their first step, as well as existing tourism start-ups wanting to expand, are encouraged to get in touch via www.qbic.qa/tourism website.
