- What
- START up to $1.1M, GROW up to $5.5M, released in tranches against milestones.
- Who
- START: startups launching in Qatar; GROW: startups 3+ years old expanding to Qatar.
- From abroad
- Open to companies from abroad — Must establish or expand operations in Qatar All programmes open to founders from abroad →
- Latest
- Last deal announced Aug 2026 — QDB invests in Multiverse Computing via Startup Qatar programmeNewest dated item on its own site · checked Oct 2026
Checked · October 2026 · qdb.qa/Financing-And-Funding/Equity-And-Investm… · How we check ↗
In detail
Startup Qatar Investment Program is an equity and investment programme (QDB) in Qatar. The startup investment programme of Startup Qatar, the Invest Qatar initiative, powered by Qatar Development Bank. Two tiers: START, up to $1.1M for startups launching in Qatar; GROW, up to $5.5M for established startups expanding to Qatar with at least three years of operations. qdb.qa and startupqatar.qa show the same pair (re-checked October 2026). Funding is released in tranches against mutually agreed milestones, not in one payment.
- Amount
- START up to $1.1M · GROW up to $5.5M — identical on qdb.qa and startupqatar.qa (re-checked September 2026). Released in tranches against mutually agreed milestones
- Terms
- Equity — QDB invested through this programme in the €500M Series C of Multiverse Computing (QDB newsroom and QNA, 5 Aug 2026). The stake taken and the standard terms are not published
- Eligibility
- START: startups launching in Qatar
- validated concept addressing an unmet market need, with a clear objective and execution plan backed by a detailed technology roadmap
- market readiness supported by research, a sound business model and a monetisation strategy. GROW: established operations for at least three years under a qualified management team, with a positive growth outlook and financial stability. Apply via the F6S form linked from the QDB page, no stated deadline
- Sectors
- AI & ML, AgriTech, B2B SaaS, Climate Tech, Cybersecurity, EduTech, Energy Tech, FinTech, HealthTech, IoT & Big Data, Marketplaces, PropTech, Robotics & Drones, SportsTech, Supply Chain Tech (list not exhaustive)
- Benefits
- Registration and licensing waivers
- flexible entrepreneur visas
- subsidised co-working space
- talent support
- access to R&D grants
- training and mentoring
- subsidised housing support
- Status
- Open
How to apply, step by step
October 2026 Invest Qatar received the 2026 United Nations Investment Promotion Award for its Startup Qatar initiative, selected from 48 entries from 40 countries. QNA, 26 October 2026
Tech startups launching in Qatar. Validated concept, technology roadmap, business model, experienced team.
Startups with 3+ years of operations expanding into Qatar. Growth outlook, financial stability, funding history.
- Prepare 3 filesPitch deck · Founders’ profiles · Historical and projected financials (max 30 MB each)
- Answer 21 questionsMVP and since when · tech team size · business model · TAM/SAM · competitors and SWOT · last 6 months’ milestones · revenue growth · past funding · why Qatar · local hiring · founders moving to Qatar
- Submit on F6SFinish within 30 days of starting, or the application may be closed
- Get the answer by emailNo closing date — applications are open year-round
Sources: qdb.qa · the programme’s F6S form · seen October 2026
Is this for you?
Where is your company?
Are you open to giving equity?
We match them against what Startup Qatar Investment Program publishes.
A guide to the published criteria, not a decision — the programme selects.
What the source says
“The Startup Qatar Investment Program, powered by QDB, aims to attract tech startups to establish or expand operations in Qatar.”
“Launch support funding up to (US Dollars) 1.1M$”
“Growth support funding up to (US Dollars) 5.5M$”
“Funding Support START: Up to USD $1.1M GROW: Up to USD $5.5M”
“$1.1M Up to $1.1 Million to START $5.5M Up to $5.5 Million to GROW”
“Since Startup Qatar was launched in 2024, QDB has invested through the initiative in more than 40 startups from 15 countries worldwide”
Closing soon on the map
No published deadline in the next 30 days · All published deadlines →
Compare state equity in Qatar
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup Qatar Investment ProgramSTART up to $1.1M, GROW up to $5.5M, released in tranches against milestones. | up to $5.5M | Equity | Open |
| QDB Istithmar - SME EquityTickets QAR 1.5–7M for small enterprises, QAR 3.5–18M for medium enterprises; equity under 50%. | QAR 3.5–18M | Equity | Active |
| QDB IthmarSeed equity via convertible Musharaka; amount not published; founder adds at least 10%. | not published | Convertible | Active |
| QDB Pre-seed InvestmentUp to QAR 250K (100K cash, 150K in kind); QDB announced QAR 730K per company in Dec 2025. | QAR 730K | Convertible | Active |
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).
Questions founders ask
What does Startup Qatar Investment Program offer?
START up to $1.1M, GROW up to $5.5M, released in tranches against milestones.
Does Startup Qatar Investment Program take equity?
Equity.
Can founders from abroad apply?
Open to companies from abroad — Must establish or expand operations in Qatar.
Is there a deadline?
No closing date is published; applications are open.
What documents do I need?
Three files of up to 30 MB each: pitch deck, founders’ profiles, and historical and projected financials, plus answers to 21 questions on the F6S form.
How long do I have to complete the application?
30 days from the day you start it on F6S; after that the application may be closed.
How do I apply?
Through its own application form — the Apply button on this page goes straight there.
Sources
Primary source · qdb.qa/Financing-And-Funding/Equity-And-Investment/Startup-Qatar-Inve… · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/qatar-development-bank · Checked October 2026