- 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 →
- Latest
- Last cohort Sep 2026 — Inaugural DEEP Pioneers cohort, Sep 2026 – Mar 2027Newest dated item on its own site · checked Oct 2026
- Timeline
- Two-day matching workshop, then six-month hybrid coaching to company formation ↗As published by the programme itself
Checked · October 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
Is this for you?
Where is your company?
Are you open to giving equity?
We match them against what DEEP Pioneers (QRDI) publishes.
A guide to the published criteria, not a decision — the programme selects.
What the source says
“Timeline September 2026 - March 2027”
“Recruiting: Scouting research institutes & entrepreneurs”
“Matching: 2-day workshop in Doha guided by coaches … Organize an inaugural matching workshop to form balanced founding teams”
“Team Development: 6-month hybrid coaching process”
“Company Formation: Support legal formation & IP deal structuring”
“The first cycle is complemented by targeted capacity building for Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), ensuring institutional readiness alongside founder development.”
Closing soon on the map
No published deadline in the next 30 days · All published deadlines →
Compare accelerators & incubators in Qatar
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| DEEP Pioneers (QRDI)Venture-building support; no funding figure published. | not published | Not published | Open |
| Alchemist DohaInvestment support; amount not published (one portfolio firm raised $1M). | not published | Equity | Open |
| CDL-DohaNon-dilutive mentorship, with investor access via the CDL network. | not published | No equity for participation | Closed |
| HBKU EntrepreneurshipFour funds: IBDA up to QAR 250K, IIF up to QAR 200K, SOCIF up to QAR 100K, SIF up to QAR 30K. | up to QAR 250K | Not published | Active |
| Nama Center — Social IncubatorIncubation and training support; no funding figure published. | not published | Not published | Open |
| Qatar FinTech Hub AcceleratorPre-Acceleration and Acceleration programmes for fintechs. | not published | Not published | Active |
| QSTP IncubationFour-week Sprint in Doha, then eight-week Incubation for selected startups; no cash amount published. | not published | Equity | Open |
| Scale7 — Creative and Cultural Industries HubOver QAR 13.5M in support provided to date across 88 startups. | not published | Milestone-based equity possible | Active |
| Snoonu Startup FactoryFunding and mentorship programme at Snoonu HQ in Doha. | not published | Not published | Open |
| The Utopia StudioUSD 7,000 stipend plus up to USD 2,000 compute; co-build in product, tech and growth. | USD 7,000 | Bespoke equity; up to USD 1M option in first two rounds | Open |
| WISE EdTech AcceleratorYear-long coaching, masterclasses and investor network; no cash amount published. | not published | Not published | Closed |
| Digital & Beyond (Ooredoo × QBIC)Incubator becoming a QDB–Ooredoo investment platform (MoU Feb 2026). | not published | Not published | Active |
| Digital Incubation CenterMCIT's digital incubator; programme details not currently published. | not published | Not published | Active |
| QBICBusiness incubation support. | not published | Not published | Active |
| QDB Pre-Accelerator 2026Closed — the 2026 cycle's terms are no longer published. | not published | Not published | Closed |
| Scale Now (MCIT)Non-financial capability building and market access support. | not published | Not published | Active |
| TASMU AcceleratorQAR 200,000 (about $55,000) cash prize to top cohort startups, plus a virtual programme. | QAR 200,000 | No equity | Closed |
No programmes match these filters.
Highest amount in each programme’s own “What” line. Other currencies converted for sorting only (Gulf pegs; KWD, EUR, GBP approximate).
All accelerators & incubators in Qatar → · Across the Gulf →
Questions founders ask
What does DEEP Pioneers (QRDI) offer?
Venture-building support; no funding figure published.
Can founders from abroad apply?
Not stated on the programme’s site (checked September 2026).
Is there a deadline?
No closing date is published; applications are open.
How do I apply?
Through its own application form — the Apply button on this page goes straight there.
Sources
Primary source · innolight.qrdi.org.qa/en/opportunities/p/179 · Checked October 2026