The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, through its Digital Incubation Center (DIC) program, announced the notable achievements made during the fourth quarter of 2024, highlighting its role as an influential initiative in the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in the country. These achievements reflect the DIC’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and enhancing the community of digital startups. The achievements of the Digital Incubation Center for the fourth quarter of 2024 included:
Incubation of 25 startups from the tenth edition of the Idea Camp
The tenth edition of the Idea Camp attracted more than 350 applications from innovative entrepreneurs from the Middle East and North Africa region, and 164 startups were selected to participate in an intensive six-week training program. The program provided 12 dedicated training sessions covering key aspects of startup development and offered more than 100 hours of individual mentoring, helping participants develop their ideas and turn them into successful projects. The journey concluded with the final jury day, where 25 promising companies were selected for incubation. This selection highlights the Digital Incubation Center’s ongoing commitment to driving digital innovation and promoting entrepreneurship in Qatar and the MENA region, helping startups grow and discover new opportunities within the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Graduation of 13 startups from the sixth edition of the Idea Camp
The Digital Incubation Center witnessed the graduation of 13 startups from the sixth edition of the Idea Camp. These companies entered the incubation period in February 2022 within a group of 25 startups and successfully completed the training program and graduation criteria. Over two years, the startups received more than 800 hours of intensive mentoring and support. Additionally, the program provided 11 specialized training sessions, equipping participants with the skills and insights needed to succeed in the competitive startup ecosystem. The startups also benefited from free office space and opportunities to attend startup events worldwide, such as SWITCH in Singapore and LEAP in Saudi Arabia. The startups operated in various fields, including healthcare, education, real estate, and sports.
The companies that excelled and successfully met the program’s graduation criteria are:
Winning startups at the Qatar Digital Business Awards 2024
Three startups from the Digital Incubation Center won awards at the Qatar Digital Business Awards 2024. “Adeer” won the Best Mobile App Award for its innovative app design and new contributions. “M Care Technology” won the Best Startup of 2024 Award for its rapid growth and innovative solutions. “Skip Cash,” a graduate of the Digital Incubation Center, won the Best Smart Solution for SMEs Award for its innovative approach to electronic payment processes and improving user experiences.
Startups from the Digital Incubation Center showcase their technological capabilities at international forums
Nine startups from Qatar participated in the Global AI Summit 2024 in Qatar, presenting innovative solutions and showcasing a range of smart solutions that highlight how AI can contribute to technological and economic advancement. Additionally, four startups from the Digital Incubation Center presented their solutions at the International Healthcare Exhibition and Conference 2024, highlighting innovative technology in healthcare. These companies presented advanced technological solutions aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services, enhancing Qatar’s position as a center for innovation in the healthcare sector on an international level. The Digital Incubation Center also participated in the ROWAD SME Summit 2024, where it set up an informational booth showcasing a wide range of resources and support available to startups and entrepreneurs. The booth served as an interactive hub, allowing attendees to connect with DIC representatives, learn about various incubation opportunities, mentorship programs, and initiatives designed to foster innovation, business growth and technology.
The Digital Incubation Center hosts a series of speaker sessions to promote innovation and development in startups
As part of its ongoing efforts to support and empower startups, the Digital Incubation Center hosted a series of distinguished discussion sessions, culminating in a collaborative session with Startup Grind that brought together 95 entrepreneurs. The session provided valuable insights into scaling, overcoming challenges, and navigating the evolving business landscape, enhancing the ability of participants or new investors to improve their projects. Robleh Jama, former product director at Shopify and founder of Boom, and Mahmoud Hashem, founder of Akindi, led a session titled “Building the Product,” which involved 25 participants. The session covered strategies for designing and developing products and aligning them with the market in an interactive format that encourages open dialogue and interaction with experts. In a session titled “Identifying and Measuring the Impact of Your Startup,” Hashim Behbehani, co-founder and COO of CODED, provided insights into the importance of key performance indicators (KPIs) for measuring success and growth. The session highlighted actionable strategies to improve performance and scale projects. Additionally, Walaa Hamdan, during a workshop titled “Designing for Success: A Practical Guide to Product-Market Fit,” added value to participants from 17 startups, providing practical insights on how to align their products with market needs. Through interactive activities and discussions, attendees enhanced their understanding of market dynamics, customer segmentation, and value proposition design.