Doha: Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Ltd. (Oxy Qatar), in partnership with Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC), officially launched Mawaheb Competition 2016.
The talent contest aims to provide a Qatari video producer or graphic designer with financial support and knowledge to make his or her skills a sustainable profession.
Entrants must complete a form, which includes five sections — the competitor’s basic details and contact information; skills background; whether or not the participant is an established company with an active Qatari partner; how the competitor would generate income with his or her talent; and two to three of the competitor’s best original works.
The applicant’s submissions will be assessed to know whether the artworks are unique and creative; what impact the applicant can provide to Qatari society; how the applicant will utilise a Mawaheb grant; whether the applicant can generate income; and whether the applicant has original artworks?
The winner will be awarded with the opportunity to participate in QBIC’s LeanStartup Programme. The LeanStartup program, which includes a 10-week intensive programme with a one-week on and one-week off frequency; four or five sessions from 4pm to 8pm during the week on; and assignments and coaching during the week off.
The top three proposals will be presented in front of jury. The winner will also be awarded QR200,000 over a two-year period when the artist completes certain milestones and the incubation process.
QBIC’s partnership with Oxy Qatar includes a confirmed seat at its signature LeanStartup Programme, managing the administration of grant funds, tracking deliverables, performance, outcome, and providing quarterly reports on milestones.
QBIC’s role in the initiative is to develop the entrepreneurial side of the talent by providing guidance to create a start-up and help ensure its sustainability. QBIC will provide business workshops, keep track of the winner’s development based on their LeanStartup Programme, will work with milestones and evaluate when the winner will be ready to receive funds.
Stephen Kelly, President and General Manager, Oxy Qatar, said: “Our focus areas include promotion of local arts and culture and encouragement of entrepreneurship and business skills.
“Mawaheb evolved from the ‘Oxy Adopts a Qatari Artist’ created by the company last year. Through Mawaheb, Oxy Qatar is supporting the cultural goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.
“The winner of Mawaheb will be a talented Qatari who will be able to develop his or her business skills to thrive as an artist while generating an income. Oxy Qatar is partnering with QBIC to bring their expertise to achieve this goal, with the hope that Oxy Qatar’s financial award and QBIC’s LeanStartup Programme will provide the winner with tools for long-term success.”
Aysha Al Mudahka, CEO, QBIC, said: “We welcome budding entrepreneurs of all kinds to further enhance our circle of diverse entrepreneurs at QBIC. We hope that the creative winner can refine their project ideas with us at the LeanStartup Programme to quickly and efficiently develop the soulful art scene in Qatar.”
Competitors must be a Qatari with a minimum age of 22 and not exceeding 35. If the entrant is applying as a company that has multiple owners, one owner must be a Qatari. The participating company should not be in business for more than three years. The winner will be announced in August.
The Peninsula
