At Web Summit Qatar, the host nation made its ambitions clear: it is no longer just testing the waters of the global technology ecosystem—it is doubling down. Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has announced a significant expansion of its Startup Qatar Investment Program, raising its target to QAR 1 billion (approximately $275million) by 2030.
Speaking to Mark Walker of The Fintech Times, Mohammed Al-Emadi, executive director of incubation and VC investment at QDB, explained that this eight-fold increase in capital allocation is a direct response to the “momentum” and “high demand” witnessed over the last three years.
“We have pinned down a target of 1 billion Qatar riyal for the startup Qatar Investment Program till 2030,” Al-Emadi said. “This is a message to the market and the regional market to attract entrepreneurs and startups.”
The announcement comes alongside a broader national push, with the Qatar Investment Authority also uplifting its fund of funds programme from $1billion to $3billion. According to Al-Emadi, these are not announcements “for the sake of announcement” but are driven by tangible results and an overwhelming influx of interest. The programme has already received over 6,000 applications, a figure Al-Emadi believes few global programmes can match in such a short timeframe.
A Gateway to East and West
QDB positions Qatar not merely as a destination but as a strategic connectivity hub. Al-Emadi highlighted the country’s geographic and infrastructural advantages, describing it as a “gateway to the region” that sits seven hours from both the West and the East.
“You are in a country that is extremely safe… with a very robust infrastructure when it comes to education, healthcare and quality of life,” he noted. Beyond lifestyle, he pointed to the technical advantages for digital businesses, specifically the subsea cables that land directly in Qatar, reducing latency issues for companies delivering services into Asia.
“You have a very strong infrastructure when it comes to fibre optic… the best cargo in the world, the best airline in the world,” Al-Emadi added. “You have the right infrastructure that was built for innovation.”
Fintech Takes the Lead
While QDB operates across multiple sectors, fintech remains a dominant force in its portfolio. Al-Emadi revealed that one-third of the bank’s venture capital investments in 2025 were directed toward fintech companies.
“It has been one of the fastest growing sectors in the region and in our country,” he said. QDB works closely with the Central Bank of Qatar, which Al-Emadi describes as a “progressive regulator” that has laid down clear foundations for 2030, aiming to license between 35 to 50 fintechs.
The strategy involves Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH) as a “lab model” rather than a traditional accelerator. “We closed the gap by providing capability building… but also by providing advisory services that are catered for each fintech,” Al-Emadi explained. He emphasised that the bank focuses on enhancing regulatory readiness and product development, moving away from the “old cracker” acceleration models of simply teaching business model canvases.
Venture Building and AI
QDB is also evolving its support mechanisms to match the maturity of the market. The bank is shifting focus toward “venture building,” having recently announced The Studio by Utopia to boost innovation within the private sector.
This evolution extends to artificial intelligence. Recognising the computational needs of modern startups, QDB announced a new programme providing access to compute capacity and GPU power.
“We create more partnerships with fund and venture studios to help them soft land in Qatar,” Al-Emadi said.
Beyond Capital
For Al-Emadi, the role of QDB extends beyond writing cheques. The bank creates specific bundles of support for different industries, including Scale7 – QDB’s Creative & Cultural Industries Hub that covers sectors from gaming to fashion. He noted that different sectors require different financial instruments; while tech startups often need equity, creative industries may require working capital or debt instruments.
“There is no one size fits all,” he concluded. “You need to have an agile model that can cater for different business models.”
With the Web Summit Qatar feeling “twice as busy” as the previous year and investment targets rising significantly, QDB is signalling that its ecosystem is open for business and ready to scale.