محمد يحي
- QSTP Launches $30 Million Fund to Support Tech Startups in Qatar
- The fund is considered one of Qatar’s largest early-stage deeptech investment programs, focusing on pre-seed and seed-stage startups, with selective Series A follow-on investments for high-growth companies aligned with Qatar’s innovation priorities.
Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of Qatar Foundation, has launched a new $30 million Tech Venture Fund (TVF) aimed at accelerating the growth of Qatar-based deeptech startups developing globally scalable technologies with measurable social and climate impact.
The initiative represents one of Qatar’s largest early-stage deeptech investment programs to date and aligns with the country’s broader strategy to position itself as a regional innovation and venture capital hub under the Third National Development Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.
Alongside the fund launch, QSTP announced its first group of international co-investment partners, including Global Ventures, Golden Gate Ventures, White Star Capital, VentureSouq, and Builders VC.
The fund will primarily target pre-seed and seed-stage startups, while selectively participating in Series A follow-on rounds for companies demonstrating strong growth and alignment with Qatar’s innovation priorities.
QSTP said the fund focuses on founders operating across sectors including artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, advanced materials, clean technology, mobility, aviation technology, smart infrastructure, healthcare, agritech, proptech, and climate technology.
Rama Chakaki, President of QSTP, said the fund is built on the belief that the next generation of impactful companies will emerge from deeptech innovation with a strong impact focus.
Unlike traditional VC structures, the fund operates through a co-investment model, requiring participating startups to already have backing from a local, regional, or global venture capital investor acting as a lead or co-investor.
QSTP also requires funded startups to be headquartered in Qatar, with core leadership and operational functions based locally, reinforcing the country’s ambition to evolve from a capital provider into a regional operating hub for technology companies.
According to QSTP, startups backed by the fund are expected to use Qatar as a launchpad into GCC and international markets while contributing to the country’s broader innovation economy.
The launch comes amid increasing competition among Gulf economies to attract AI startups, venture-backed founders, and advanced technology companies, as Qatar continues expanding its deeptech and research commercialization ecosystem through QSTP and Qatar Foundation.
