- What
- QDB direct Shariah-compliant loans, incl. working capital for the start-up phase.
- Who
- Qatari-owned companies in manufacturing, education, health, services or agriculture.
- From abroad
- Nationals or residents of Qatar — Ownership of a Qatari citizen All programmes open to founders from abroad →
Checked · October 2026 · qdb.qa/en/financing-and-funding/direct-financing · How we check ↗
See QDB Direct Financing (Initial Working Capital) on the map next to the other 65 programmes in Qatar — and filter the whole Gulf by type, deadline and equity.
Open the map →In detail
QDB Direct Financing (Initial Working Capital) is a direct Shariah-compliant loans in Qatar. Qatar Development Bank's direct, Shariah-compliant financing for new business ideas and existing companies in manufacturing, education, healthcare, services, agriculture, livestock and fisheries. Its Initial Working Capital product finances SMEs in the start-up phase — up to six months of OPEX, at a profit rate of up to 5% and a total tenor of up to 15 years.
- Amount
- Initial Working Capital: up to 6 months of OPEX
- Terms
- Loan — profit rate up to 5%, tenor up to 15 years
- Eligibility
- Company owned by a Qatari citizen, in a QDB-supported sector
- Sectors
- Manufacturing
- education
- healthcare
- services
- agriculture
- livestock
- fisheries
- Benefits
- Covers start-up-phase OPEX, consumables and raw materials, including salaries, rent and utilities
- Status
- Open — rolling applications through QDB's online form (checked October 2026)
Is this for you?
Where is your company?
Are you open to giving equity?
We match them against what QDB Direct Financing (Initial Working Capital) publishes.
A guide to the published criteria, not a decision — the programme selects.
What the source says
“Submit the application under the ownership of a Qatari citizen (Qatari Identity Card).”
“QDB Direct Financing offers you a simple and competitive option to finance your business idea or existing company.”
“Up to 6-month worth of OPEX”
“QDB offers this financing solution for Shariah-compliant SMEs in the start-up phase that require financing to run their operations.”
“Profit rate is up to 5 percent and will depend upon the project rating and strategic importance to the Qatari economy with a total tenor period of up to 15 years in line with the terms of long-term financing”
“Your project should be in any of the manufacturing, education, healthcare, services, agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors.”
Closing soon on the map
Finspire
WISE EdTech Accelerator
QSTP Incubation
Compare loans & guarantees in Qatar
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| QDB Direct Financing (Initial Working Capital)QDB direct Shariah-compliant loans, incl. working capital for the start-up phase. | not published | Loan | Open |
| QDB Credit Guarantee Program (formerly Al-Dhameen)QDB partial guarantee on bank financing, typically up to 50% (70% for small tickets). | not published | No equity | Open |
Highest amount in each programme’s own “What” line. Other currencies converted for sorting only (Gulf pegs; KWD, EUR, GBP approximate).
Questions founders ask
What does QDB Direct Financing (Initial Working Capital) offer?
QDB direct Shariah-compliant loans, incl. working capital for the start-up phase.
Does QDB Direct Financing (Initial Working Capital) take equity?
Loan — profit rate up to 5%.
Can founders from abroad apply?
Nationals or residents of Qatar — Ownership of a Qatari citizen.
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 · qdb.qa/en/financing-and-funding/direct-financing · Checked October 2026