The Peninsula
Doha: The Digital Incubation Center (DIC) at the Ministry of Transport and Communications has 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 are ready to start an ICT company.
Eleven new start-up teams and 14 idea stage teams have joined DIC this month.
The 25 teams were chosen after a rigorous selection process. The judges for the final selection of the start-ups 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 the new intake, the total number of Tech Start-up teams incubated at DIC has reached 44.
In its new intake of May, DIC was looking for aspiring and current entrepreneurs capable of harnessing emerging technologies to create innovative products, solutions and services to contribute to Qatar’s thriving digital sector.
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 at the ministry, said: “We are excited with the new batch that has joined DIC.
“The new teams are working on innovative technologies and much- needed solutions for Qatar. The objective of DIC has been to provide 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 programmes.”
DIC offers two tracks: The Launchpad, a six-month programme that helps entrepreneurs nurture their ICT ideas and turn them into business opportunities; and the two-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 work place, business planning, education and training, mentors, legal advice, software/hardware and office space.
Though DIC does not fund the start-ups directly, services each start-up receives during two year amounts to about QR400,000 in indirect support.
