The map·Qatar·Government programmes

Media City Qatar

Doha media hub established by Decree No. (13) on 30 May 2019 as cluster regulator, developer and investor, located in Msheireb Downtown Doha.

What
Gaming and screen incentive programmes; licensing with 100% foreign ownership.
Who
Entities licensed by Media City Qatar; the screen incentive is for Qatari entities only.
Cost
No equity — incentives for licensed entities
From abroad
A company in Qatar is required — Entity must hold a Media City Qatar licence; the licence itself allows 100% foreign ownership; The Qatar Screen Incentive is limited to Qatari entities (including SPVs) licensed by Media City Qatar All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Status
Open · taking applications

Checked · September 2026 · mediacity.qa/en · How we check ↗

Apply →Website ↗On the map →

In detail

Media City Qatar is a media hub (regulator, developer and investor) in Qatar. Doha media hub established by Decree No. (13) on 30 May 2019 as cluster regulator, developer and investor, located in Msheireb Downtown Doha. It licenses media companies, digital startups and content creators with 100% foreign ownership through a digital one-stop platform, and lists incubation programmes and business acceleration initiatives among its services. Two incentive programmes take online applications: a Gaming incentive for entities licensed by Media City Qatar, and the Qatar Screen Incentive - a rebate on qualifying spend, run with the Film Committee - for Qatari entities (including SPVs) licensed by it. Applying does not guarantee approval.

Amount
Incentive programmes for licensed entities - rates not published on the application pages
Terms
No
Eligibility
Entities licensed by Media City Qatar (Gaming incentive) · Qatari entities, including SPVs, licensed by Media City Qatar (Screen incentive)
Sectors
Gaming and development studios, film and series production, TV and video, OTT, e-publishing, user-generated content, media technology
Services
  • Licensing with 100% foreign ownership
  • visas and permits
  • tax-free business benefits
  • coworking, offices and production-ready studios
  • roadshows and startup engagement programmes
Status
Open - Gaming and Screen incentive application forms live (checked September 2026)

What the source says

“The incentive program is applicable only to entities licensed by Media City Qatar.”

mediacity.qa/en/gaming-incentive-application · seen September 2026

“Established by Decree No. (13) on 30 May 2019, Media City Qatar was created as a cluster regulator, developer, and investor to strengthen Qatar’s media sector”

mediacity.qa/en/faq · seen September 2026

“Media City Qatar is currently located in Msheireb Downtown Doha”

mediacity.qa/en/faq · seen September 2026

“MCQ provides licensing and permits for media companies and content creators, allowing 100% foreign ownership and full operational rights through a seamless, digital platform built for media registration and compliance.”

mediacity.qa/en/faq · seen September 2026

“Media City Qatar (MCQ) is a state-of-the-art media hub in Doha, built to empower media companies, digital startups, and creative professionals.”

mediacity.qa/en/faq · seen September 2026

“state-of-the art studios, post-production facilities, incubation programs, and business acceleration initiatives that support startups and entrepreneurs”

mediacity.qa/en/faq · seen September 2026

Closing soon on the map

Cultural Development Fund (CDF)

Grant · Saudi Arabia
Up to SAR 500,000 non-repayable per project, capped at 20 projects total.
No equity — grant
29 Sep 2026closes

Finspire

Accelerator · Saudi Arabia
SAR 100,000 development funding, earmarked rather than paid as cash.
Equity via SAFE, capped at 5%
4 Oct 2026closes

QSTP Incubation

Accelerator · Qatar
In-kind support: Doha workspace and housing for a four-week Sprint, talent and investor access.
Equity — 1.5% deferred SAFE-style stake
1 Nov 2026closes

All published deadlines →

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All government programmes in Qatar →  ·  Across the Gulf →

More programmes that take no equity →

Sources

Primary source · mediacity.qa/en · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/mediacityqa · Checked September 2026

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