Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), Qatar’s primary incubator for technology innovation and tech-based entrepreneurship, is proud to be the main sponsor of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) 2016. The event, taking place at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, began on 13th November and will end on 17th November.

Dr Maher Hakim, Managing Director, QSTP, who delivered a talk during the event’s opening ceremony, said: “Global Entrepreneurship Week is an important platform which is contributing to spreading the culture of entrepreneurship globally and locally. QSTP is pleased to support this annual event and to help build a vibrant tech entrepreneurial and product innovation ecosystem in Qatar.”

“This annual gathering provides a vital opportunity for local startups, small and medium enterprises, and entrepreneurs to share ideas on how we can advance the entrepreneurial landscape in Qatar. In order to achieve the ambitious goal of transitioning to a knowledge-based economy, we have to adopt a collaborative innovation framework based on flexibility, efficiency, and inclusivity, and GEW offers the ideal avenue for such collaboration.”
In his speech at GEW, Dr Hakim said: “Entrepreneurship is the pursuing of opportunities and a core aspect of this is to seek the resources, the capital and the talent.” He also listed the necessary skills to become an innovator, including observation, questioning, networking, perseverance, and taking risks.

QSTP also hosted a session at GEW that featured the success story of ‘Metis Lab’, a startup that benefited from QSTP’s accelerator programme and is now on its way to explore opportunities in Silicon Valley.

At QSTP, part of Qatar Foundation Research and Development (QF R&D), tech-based entrepreneurs are supported through incubation, funding, training, mentorship, and connections to the regional and global tech innovation ecosystem. Over the past few years, QSTP has built a solid foundation for the development of a broad range of programmes that have positioned it as an international hub with a focus on technology innovation and cutting-edge, commercially viable business ideas.

GEW is an annual, week-long event held simultaneously in more than 160 countries around the world, attracting millions of people, with a host of activities and events held in each participating country. Its event in Qatar was hosted by Qatar Development Bank in collaboration with numerous local organisations, entrepreneurs, and small and medium enterprises.

Considered one of the key platforms that contribute to advancing a culture of entrepreneurship locally and globally, GEW aims to teach attendees how to generate business opportunities, build a successful business, and boost Qatar’s economy.