Qatar-Singapore Joint Innovation Challenge

As a joint collaboration and initiative between Enterprise Singapore and the Qatar Research Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, they extend a special invitation to Singapore-based startups and SMEs to embark on a transformative journey in addressing the innovation needs of Qatari entities!

As Qatar charts its course towards becoming a knowledge-based economy, the nation is channelling substantial investments into research, development, and innovation across critical sectors such as energy, environmental sustainability, insurance and information technology.

Categories

• Smart Transport Optimisation
• Sustainable Infrastructure/System
• Sustainable Insurtech Ecosystem
• Waste Treatment and Recycling

Opportunities and Incentives

• Tap into a wealth of S$1 million in pooled funding
• Winning innovators’ prizes include:
• Access up to S$150,000 of solution development and piloting support per challenge statement
  • Access to the Qatar market by connecting with key stakeholders and leveraging the diverse facilities and equipment available within the Qatar RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) ecosystem, to further assist in advancing the solution
  • Potential for enhanced exposure and visibility through the QRDI Council’s media relations with local outlets (e.g., Al Jazeera) and promotions via Qatari entities’ networks, including the Council’s social media channels
  • Opportunity for awarded companies to integrate into and gain exposure within the Qatar RDI ecosystem, which will assist in expanding their networking and exploring other future development opportunities through connections with demand drivers in Qatar.

Why Invest in Innovation for Qatar?

• Commitment to RDI
  • Qatar has a vision to become a knowledge-based economy characterized by innovation, and has invested heavily in research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities in various fields, such as energy, health, environment, and information and communication technologies.
• Attractive Opportunities
  • Qatar has a supportive and vibrant innovation ecosystem that offers various opportunities and incentives for startups, such as funding programmes, incubation and acceleration programmes, mentorship and training, technology transfer and licensing, and access to state-of-the-art facilities and capabilities.
• Strategic Location
  • Qatar has a strategic location and a diverse and multicultural population that provide a gateway to regional and global markets, as well as a rich source of talent, ideas, and feedback for startups.
• Business-Friendly Environment
  • Qatar has a stable and prosperous economy that offers a high standard of living, a business-friendly environment, and a competitive tax regime for startups.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Challenge is open to all Singapore-registered startups and small and medium-sized enterprises as well as foreign-based startups and SMEs who are registered as a legal entity in Singapore within six (6) months of being appointed as a matched company. All applicants/entrants/participants must be above the age of 18 years old as at the date of entry and must submit their project proposals detailing their solution to a particular challenge statement launched under the Challenge.
• Employees, representatives, and family members of the Joint Organisers should declare such relationships to the Joint Organisers that they are submitting their Project Proposals to.
• Project Proposals with solutions that have received funding from other programs run by government agencies or statutory boards should declare the funding received and project details to the Organiser.
• Institutes of Higher Learning and Research Institutes may only participate by:
  • Submitting a joint proposal with a startup/SME (the startup/SME has to co-develop the solution, lead the proposal submission and eventually commercialise the proposed solution).

For more information, visit Agorize.