Qatar Development Bank wrapped up the 5th edition of its Investment Forum, held in cooperation with Refinitiv, a London Stock Exchange Group business. The forum brought together experts and investment players from various industries to network and explore opportunities as eight Qatari startups pitched their innovative businesses to attract investments for their expansion plans.

This year’s edition, organized in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Doha Tech Angels (DTA) investment club, was held under the strategic sponsorship of Qatar National Bank (QNB) and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), and the platinum sponsorship of Qatar Financial Center (QFC).

Angel investors and representatives of venture capital funds, investment banks and public investment funds from Qatar and overseas discussed best practices in closing investment deals and efforts to overcome challenges in the investment landscape.

In his opening address, Mr. Abdulrahman Hesham Al Sowaidi, QDB’s Acting CEO, announced the bank’s launch of a new co-investment program that enables investors to provide part of the required capital for startups with QDB investing the remaining capital, up to QAR 3.65 million per deal, thus reducing the risks carried by individual and corporate investors.

Mr. Al Sowaidi said QDB also revamped its existing ‘Istithmar’ and ‘Ithmar’ investment programs to meet the evolving needs of entrepreneurs and international best practices. QDB has been keen on diversifying startups’ access to capital, Mr. Al Sowaidi explained, while noting the private sector’s success in the investment landscape.

“We seek through our various programs to create a sustainable business environment that ensures companies have at their disposal the necessary means to succeed and excel. We regularly work on developing our products in collaboration with national and international stakeholders, a strategy that QDB has reflected in this year’s theme on ‘Transcending Investment Barriers’, in line with Qatar’s efforts to diversify its economy.”

The forum featured eight companies operating across industries ranging from fashion to construction technology, namely Avey, Build Hop, Cytomate, Therappy, Emma, Dana Riad, Enable, and ADGS who pitched their innovative business solutions to investors.

Mr. Khaled Ahmed Al-Sada, Senior Executive Vice President of Corporate and Institutional Banking at QNB Group, said: “We are proud of our participation as a strategic sponsor and for contributing through this pioneering platform to creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups, offering the necessary investment support to bolster the entrepreneurship system and the growth of SMEs in line with the National Vision 2030 and our Sustainable Development Goals.”

Mr. Marc Deschamps, a unicorn entrepreneur in tech, and co-Head of DAI Magister investment bank, addressed the forum, touching on Emerging Investment Hubs. His keynote speech was followed by a discussion session with Mr. Ashraf Abu Issa, CEO and Chairman of Abu Issa Holding Company.

Through this forum and the various programs its investment arm offers, QDB seeks to further support entrepreneurs and startups, and strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading regional and international investment hub that celebrates entrepreneurship across various industries, which contributes to the growth and diversification of its economy. The forum also serves as a platform to explore international investment trends and emerging opportunities in the industrial and service sectors.