The map·Qatar·Accelerators & incubators

DEEP Pioneers (QRDI)

QRDI Council venture-building programme that turns university research into spin-off companies: scouting of research institutes and entrepreneurs, a two-day matching workshop in Doha to form founding teams, six months of hybrid coaching, then support with legal company formation and IP deal structuring.

What
Venture-building support; no funding figure published.
Who
Scientists, researchers and university Technology Transfer Offices in priority science and health fields.
From abroad
Not stated on the programme’s site (checked September 2026) All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Status
Open · taking applications

Checked · September 2026 · innolight.qrdi.org.qa/en/opportunities/p/179 · How we check ↗

In detail

DEEP Pioneers (QRDI) is a university spin-off venture builder in Qatar. QRDI Council venture-building programme that turns university research into spin-off companies: scouting of research institutes and entrepreneurs, a two-day matching workshop in Doha to form founding teams, six months of hybrid coaching, then support with legal company formation and IP deal structuring. First cycle September 2026 – March 2027, complemented by capacity building for university Technology Transfer Offices. Listed as Open on Innolight (checked September 2026).

Amount
Venture-building support — no funding figure published
Terms
Not stated
Eligibility
Scientists and researchers with promising technologies, and university Technology Transfer Offices; priority areas natural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, agricultural sciences
Sectors
Deep tech from university research
Benefits
  • Team matching
  • 6-month coaching
  • company formation and IP structuring support
Status
Open — the published route is an expression-of-interest form for the DEEP activities (QRDI, ESMT Berlin, QIA); cycle Sep 2026 – Mar 2027

What the source says

“DEEP Pioneers Open”

“Recruiting: Scouting research institutes & entrepreneurs”

“Matching: 2-day workshop in Doha guided by coaches”

“Team Development: 6-month hybrid coaching process”

“Company Formation: Support legal formation & IP deal structuring”

“Timeline September 2026 - March 2027”

Closing soon on the map

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Sources

Primary source · innolight.qrdi.org.qa/en/opportunities/p/179 · Checked September 2026

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