Q Life Magazine Q Magazine December 2018 | Page 29
Innovate & Inspire |
| The DIC in action
training and mentorship, and legal counselling – we help
innovators with emerging technologies to succeed.’
Other services include networking and participation in
local and international events, and access to a network
of partners and business contacts. There is also access to
investment forums and angel investors, free office space
and shared facilities.
DIC offers its array of services for free to all of its
incubated startups, helping contribute to the rapid
growth of Qatar’s thriving digital economy. It currently
offers four programmes for start-ups. There is the
Ideacamp, a five-week programme for entrepreneurs,
technologists, developers and designers who have a great
idea for a technology solution.
Participants take part in a series of workshops, training
and mentorship to help them develop a business model,
build a prototype and test their idea with customers, with
the support of industry mentors and DIC staff. By the
end of the programme, participants will pitch to join the
DIC Startup Track to take the idea to the next level.
Then there is the ‘launch’ stage and ‘growth’ stage of
Startup Track – each taking a year. The first year is
structured around a set of milestones taking a startup
from prototype to registered business in Qatar.
The second year is focused on growing the business.
Startups with a business already launched can join the
Growth Stage Program.
Additionally, there is the co-working space; startups and
entrepreneurs with an idea for a technology business can
use this space in preparation for joining one of the DIC
Incubation Programs.
Albuhendi says: ‘Most of the startups join DIC with
only an idea. We take them through a series of trainings
and hand-holding support until they become mature
businesses. Some examples of those startups who have
joined as an idea and have now reached the growth
stage include E-emdad, Applab, Wash Now, Magaza,
FiTech, Urban Point and Meeddy. Some of these have
graduated from DIC, others are about to do so.
‘As of today, DIC has supported 178 teams of
entrepreneurs. Some 75 of them have reached the
startup stage. Many of our startups have been successful
in raising funds from local investors and international
VCs and expanding to other markets besides Qatar. We
are immensely proud of the successes our businesses have
achieved.’
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