QRDI Official to QNA: Business Innovation Grant Boosts Tech-based Private Sector

Doha, February 26 (QNA) - Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council has rolled out a Small Business Innovation Grant (SBIG) for startups at the Web Summit 2025.

QRDI Senior Director for Innovation Development and Piloting Programs Nada Al Olaqi told QNA the grant program would streamline the establishment of a technology-based private sector, one of the third national development strategy objectives.

She added the grant would help startups, SMEs and enterprises to develop and market their technology-based products and services.

The program will increase tech startups in Qatar, facilitating economic diversification and a knowledge-based economy, and accelerate innovation and enhancing research and development activities.

Qatar-based startups are only eligible for the grant, with the first phase priority on companies operating in health, logistics and tourism.

Al Olaqi highlighted the QRDI collaboration with Qatar Development Bank (QDB) with a focus on startups and SMEs operating in research and development.

In this respect, she said QRDI accepted applications from five QDB-funded startups during the Web Summit 2025 out of 10 applications. (QNA)