Satyendra Pathak
Doha
Aimed at nurturing the innovation ecosystem in Qatar, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) on Tuesday hosted the TASMU Accelerator 2023 Cohort Demo Day and recognised three standout start-ups for their ground-breaking solutions.
The three standout start-ups “Albert Health” in the healthcare track, “Direk” in the environment track, and “Fleetroot” in the logistics track were awarded a QR200,000 cash boost from their respective Track Champions to further grow and scale their businesses, all while maintaining 100 percent equity.
The event took place following the inauguration of the TASMU Accelerator Hub at Ooredoo HQ2, which was officiated by Minister of Communications and Information Technology HE Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai.
Designed to nurture start-ups, the dedicated workspace will welcome graduates of the 2023 Cohort, a strategic positioning that will provide them with invaluable local market insights, and industry expertise, as well as facilitate their successful entry and growth into the Qatari market.
During the demo day, the programme’s top eight finalists presented their solutions to a distinguished audience from Qatar’s thriving innovation ecosystem, including public and private sector industry executives, esteemed investors, and accomplished mentors.
With the aim of enhancing deal flows, the event also featured panel discussions focused on the impact of public and private partnerships and how they can nurture Qatar’s start-up ecosystem.
The Accelerator has made significant strides in cultivating innovation and enabling digital transformation in the country. Open to both local and international start-ups, the initiative plans to introduce annual cohorts, with the overarching vision of propelling Qatar into a world-class smart city. This transformation aims to elevate living standards, enhance global competitiveness, and introduce cutting-edge digital solutions.
In a statement issued on the occasion, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Industry Affairs at MCIT Reem Al Mansoori said, “By providing an all-inclusive, supportive ecosystem for global and local tech start-ups, the TASMU Accelerator is set to drive Qatar’s digital economy forward and help position the country as a leader in the global tech industry. At MCIT, we are looking for more than technological and innovative solutions. Our aim is to find solutions that can seamlessly integrate into our daily lives and meet the varied needs of our community.”
For us, Mansoori said, “Technology serves as a tool to ensure that Qatar is the number one place to live, work and call home. Technological solutions are there to help us feel comfortable, supported, and efficient. We are confident these eight start-ups can implement new solutions that will further enhance the overall human-centric approach we want technology to provide to us all living in Qatar.”
Talking to Qatar Tribune on the occasion, Digital Innovation Department Director at MCIT Eman Al Kuwari said, “Since its launch, the programme has attracted over 540 applicants from 78 countries for its inaugural cohort, which ran until November 2023. Of these, 25 start-ups were selected to participate in a dedicated six-month acceleration phase.
“To qualify for this unique opportunity, participants were required to address challenges within three key priority sectors, each sponsored and supported by a Track Champion: Ooredoo for Environment, Microsoft for Healthcare, and Ericsson for Logistics.”
As the strategic operator of the initiative, and the Environment Sector Track Champion, Ooredoo Qatar Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Ali bin Jabor Al Thani said, “As a pioneering telecommunications operator, we have always believed in the power of innovation to drive progress and shape the future. With the TASMU Accelerator, we are proud to be at the forefront of Qatar’s innovation ecosystem, supporting the most promising tech start-ups.”
“We are excited to collaborate with these trailblazers and empower them with unparalleled support, as they bring their game-changing solutions to life. Together, we will pave the way for an advanced Smart Qatar, where technology drives sustainable growth and has a transformational impact,” Sheikh Ali said.
Microsoft Qatar General Manager Lana Khalaf said, “We are happy to support the TASMU Accelerator initiative as it builds on our longstanding partnership with MCIT and delivers on our commitment to power innovation from Qatar to the world.”
She said, “As the TASMU Accelerator Healthcare Sector Track Champion, we will provide start-ups with next-generation cloud and AI tools, go-to-market resources, mentorship and training to empower them to innovate unimaginable breakthroughs that would improve health outcomes and revolutionize the healthcare industry.”
Similarly, Georges Wakil, Country Manager of Ericsson Qatar, the Logistics Sector Track Champion, expressed his excitement for the future.
Wakil said, “We are thrilled to participate in the TASMU Accelerator initiative, which is propelling Qatar’s innovation vision forward by nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. At Ericsson, we are committed to pioneering new business ideas for a better future, and the TASMU Accelerator provides us with an exceptional opportunity to advance and expand the innovation ecosystem in Qatar.”
The TASMU Accelerator programme has achieved remarkable milestones this year, thanks to the market access and funding support of more than 85 partners and venture capitalists.
Additionally, over 70 workshops have been delivered, equipping start-ups with the essential skills and resources to develop their projects. Since its establishment, the 2023 cohort start-ups have been successful in raising an impressive $36 million of funding and generating sales exceeding $100 million – resulting in a combined portfolio valuation of $500 million.
As part of its mission to build capacity and foster networking, the Accelerator has also facilitated over 150 sales meetings between start-ups and key local entities. In addition, over 150 interns from Qatar’s leading universities have been strategically matched with start-ups, allowing them to gain practical experience in a real business environment while offering start-ups access to a pool of emerging talent.
In line with the Qatar National Vision, the TASMU Accelerator is set to continue its mission through 2030. The programme aims to bolster the economy, enhance private sector competitiveness, and broaden Qatar’s revenue streams by introducing 80 innovative solutions to the local market and generating 800 job opportunities.
As the 2023 cycle concludes, the TASMU Accelerator has also announced the opening of the early registration phase for the 2024 cohort.
Learn more about the eight shortlisted start-ups:
Healthcare Track
Albert HealthcTypeface:> An evidence-based multi-chronic disease management platform that leverages Artificial Intelligence for personalised coaching, disease management, and telehealth.
Country: United Kingdom
DOKTORCONNECT: A digital health platform that provides access to personalised medical care using a comprehensive wellness-based approach and genetic analysis for chronic disease prevention and management.
Country: Nigeria
EVYD RESEARCH: An Artificial Intelligence platform offering solutions to the healthcare sector by leveraging data to enable partners to make proactive decisions for their population, as well as provide insights to drive policy and resource optimisation.
Country: Singapore
Environment Track
DIREK.iocTypeface:> An advanced technology company solving critical challenges faced by building owners and operators by optimising building resources, resulting in substantial savings on energy and operating costs, while also helping to meet stringent carbon emission regulations.
Country: United Kingdom
ASPIRE: An innovative matchmaking tool for businesses to exchange resources that would otherwise be sent to landfill, stockpiled or lost.
Country: Australia
Darbco: An automated robotic solution that guarantees high levels of cleaning efficiency and reliable operation of solar panels.
Country: Jordan
Logistics Track
Fleetroot: An all-in-one platform that simplifies transportation processes for businesses using cutting-edge technology that optimises logistics, delivery, and transportation operations, allowing them to streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Country: United Arab Emirates
LogesTechs: A cloud-based last-mile delivery solutions provider incorporating IoT, blockchain, and data analytics to deliver innovative solutions to the logistics industry, resulting in a streamlined delivery process, minimised costs, and elevated customer satisfaction.
Country: Palestine
