Doha, Qatar, February 19, 2024 – The Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council is partnering with Alchemist Accelerator - a world leading venture builder focused on the development of early-stage B2B startups - to launch Alchemist Doha – a first and exclusive MENA program for tech startups.
Leveraging Alchemist’s wide global network and extensive support programs, Alchemist Doha will identify global startups with promising founders, products, and early market traction to integrate them within Qatar’s local RDI ecosystem and will also support eligible local tech startups in Qatar to expand globally through Alchemist’s global network and services.
By bringing promising global tech founders to Qatar and supporting promising local tech founders with a strong global network, Qatar’s tech startups scene will continue to grow and mature. Along with QRDI’s other new initiatives and programs, such as Qatar Open Innovation and Technology Development Grant, as well as other existing longstanding initiatives focused on supporting scientific research and talent development in universities and national labs, QRDI aspires to develop a strong local RDI ecosystem through coordinated initiatives to strengthen innovation capabilities in the country across all domains: private sector – large and small companies, universities, and government.
“QRDI Council is committed to building a dynamic RDI ecosystem in Qatar, and Alchemist Doha stands as an important part of this mission," said Eng. Omar A. Al-Ansari, Secretary General of QRDI Council. He added, "Our partnership with Alchemist boosts innovation by creating seeds for future tech-based industries, in alignment with QRDI 2030 Strategy and Qatar National Development Strategy.”
Ravi Belani, CEO and Founder of Alchemist Accelerator states, “Alchemist Accelerator brings unprecedented support to tech entrepreneurs. We are excited to partner with QRDI with the vision of launching a program for tech entrepreneurs in MENA and emerging markets that includes helping them build solid sustainable roots here in Doha. This partnership will contribute to the emergence a of future global tech leaders and new tech industries based in Qatar."
About Alchemist Accelerator:
Alchemist is a venture-backed accelerator focused on the development of seed-stage ventures that monetize from enterprises. Alchemist backers include many of the top corporate and VC funds―including Mayfield Fund, Khosla Ventures, Foundation Capital, BASF, NEC, Cisco, Siemens, GE, and Salesforce, among others. The accelerator’s primary screening criteria is on teams, with primacy placed on having distinctive technical co-founders. Notable alums include LaunchDarkly, Kyte, MoEngage, Foresight, Privacera, Matternet, and mPharma. Funds that have led rounds in Alchemist Alums include Accel, A16Z, Bessemer, Khosla, Redpoint, Sequoia, Tiger Global, and many others. For more information, please visit alchemistaccelerator.com.