Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), has launched a unique and exclusive mentorship programme to benefit startups that are incubated on its premises, offering expert guidance, skills training and additional support services to fuel their business growth and success.
To be delivered in partnership with the globally-renowned innovation platform and business accelerator Plug and Play, the programme features a mix of dedicated workshops, one-on-one and group mentorship sessions, and various networking opportunities.
After a thorough evaluation process by the two organising partners, a select number of QSTP-incubated startups will have the opportunity to enrol in the 12-week programme.
QSTP’s Programme Manager for Acceleration Mohammed Zebian said, “The programme is designed to benefit both early and growth-stage startups. What that means is that we will be providing tailored mentoring to young businesses on matters relating to navigating the legalities of the business landscape, customer acquisition and revenue generation.
“For growth-stage startups, the programme provides mentoring on building scalable products and business models, growth hacking techniques, customer acquisition and conversion optimisation, ways of attracting more investors, and management of finances to enable startups to grow regionally and internationally.”
During the various mentorship sessions, participating startups and entrepreneurs will acquire a thorough understanding on diverse areas of business including working with corporate clients, developing a robust business strategy, creating a foolproof sales technique and utilising specific technologies to streamline their business.
The mentees will also have several opportunities to engage with successful business owners about lessons learned in their entrepreneurial journey.
“As with all QSTP programmes, our ultimate goal is to support our incubated startups to accelerate their business growth and to enable them to create impact in the global marketplace through tech-based innovative solutions. We are very excited to be partnering with a global player that is Plug and Play to offer this first-of-its-kind programme in Qatar to our incubated startups,” Zebian said.
Plug and Play’s Director of Milan and Basel offices Arianna Elena Maschietto said, “We are really excited about this interaction with the startups incubated by QSTP. We are sure that an international and open perspective, like the one Plug and Play is used to bringing to this kind of activity, will be of exchange and benefit to all.
“Qatar’s innovation ecosystem is full of surprises and we are delighted to have the opportunity to support the development of a pool with such great potential and to collaborate with QSTP to make it more and more ready to face the biggest innovation challenges.”
Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform connecting startups, companies, venture capital firms, universities and government agencies. Based in Silicon Valley, it is present in more than 50 locations on five continents and has invested in hundreds of successful companies, including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal and Rappi.
QSTP’s Incubation Center encompasses business facilitation and support services, collaborative co-working space, access to prototyping facilities and funding opportunities, in addition to other benefits.
More information on the QSTP Incubation Center is available athttps://qstp.org.qa/incubation-center/
