Four Programs Founders in Qatar Should Know
From a US$3 billion sovereign fund of funds to pilot grants worth hundreds of thousands of riyals, Qatar now offers founders capital at nearly every stage, though not every program is equally current.
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Qatar has spent the past few years assembling a layered startup funding system, and the newest figures date from February 2026.
The most direct route for founders is the Startup Qatar Investment Program, run by Qatar Development Bank. QDB launched it under the Startup Qatar platform around Web Summit Qatar in February 2024. Its START track offers up to US$1.1 million to startups launching in Qatar, while the GROW track offers up to US$5.5 million to established global startups expanding there.
Behind it sits the QIA Fund of Funds. The Qatar Investment Authority announced the first US$1 billion at Web Summit Qatar in February 2024. In February 2026, H.E. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani added US$2 billion, bringing the total commitment to US$3 billion. Founders do not apply to it directly. It backs international and regional venture funds.
For research-heavy and deep-tech teams, the QRDI Council runs a set of non-dilutive grants, meaning founders give up no equity. In February 2026, it announced the second cycle of its Innovation Pilot Grant, which provides US$100,000 (QR365,000) over up to a year to pilot a technology with ecosystem partners.
Back in June 2019, the Qatar Foundation Innovation Coupon introduced a small-scale scheme for individuals, startups and SMEs turning ideas into prototypes.
RELATED: Microsoft to Invest More Than US$10 Billion in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait by 2030
Qatar has spent the past few years assembling a layered startup funding system, and the newest figures date from February 2026.
The most direct route for founders is the Startup Qatar Investment Program, run by Qatar Development Bank. QDB launched it under the Startup Qatar platform around Web Summit Qatar in February 2024. Its START track offers up to US$1.1 million to startups launching in Qatar, while the GROW track offers up to US$5.5 million to established global startups expanding there.
Behind it sits the QIA Fund of Funds. The Qatar Investment Authority announced the first US$1 billion at Web Summit Qatar in February 2024. In February 2026, H.E. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani added US$2 billion, bringing the total commitment to US$3 billion. Founders do not apply to it directly. It backs international and regional venture funds.
For research-heavy and deep-tech teams, the QRDI Council runs a set of non-dilutive grants, meaning founders give up no equity. In February 2026, it announced the second cycle of its Innovation Pilot Grant, which provides US$100,000 (QR365,000) over up to a year to pilot a technology with ecosystem partners.
Back in June 2019, the Qatar Foundation Innovation Coupon introduced a small-scale scheme for individuals, startups and SMEs turning ideas into prototypes.
RELATED: Microsoft to Invest More Than US$10 Billion in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait by 2030
