Forty-six teams from 40 schools and 6 universities in Qatar competed in the Enterprise Challenge Qatar 2017 Grand Final competition on 5 March  2017 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). 

Following the outcome of this year’s Grand Final competition, winners of the competition were recognised during an awards ceremony. Newton International Academy claimed first prize, competing with 40 independent and international high schools in Qatar. The wining team took home a prize of QAR10,000 to fund their business idea and its implementation. Second place was awarded to Qatar Banking Studies and Business Administration School, while Al Rabaa Al Adawiya School were awarded third place.

Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar claimed first prize among competing universities at the grand final competition.  The winning team took home a prize of QR 20,000 to fund their business idea.  Second place was awarded to College of North Atlantic Qatar with Qatar University finishing third.

Commenting on the competition, Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Development Bank and Chairman of Bedaya Center said:

Fostering entrepreneurship is a critical part of developing a diverse economy in Qatar, and at Bedaya we believe that by encouraging young people to consider entrepreneurship, Enterprise Challenge Qatar will help create and sustain a thriving private sector.’

Michiel Kool, Managing Director and Chairman of Qatar Shell Companies stated:

Qatar Shell is very proud to celebrate the fifth year of Enterprise Challenge Qatar. Thousands of students across the country have participated during this time, making a tangible contribution to the future of entrepreneurship in Qatar.’

This programme is growing from strength to strength, and with the support of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and all our partners, we are working on taking the Enterprise Challenge Qatar programme nationwide to all independent schools in Qatar.’

Preparation for this year’s competition was launched in September 2016, reaching out to more than 1,200 students from schools and universities from across Qatar. Since its inception in 2012, more than 3,500 students have participated.

The Enterprise Challenge Qatar, running now for five consecutive years, is an annual competition that seeks to promote and inspire the entrepreneurial spirit among young people in Qatar.  The competition consists of three parts: the ethical business challenge, which tests participants’ ability to balance the economic, environmental and social performance of their company; a business simulation element, which familiarises students with general business such as finance, sales, and production; and the business pitch, in which participants present their ideas to a panel of judges from the business community in Qatar.

The ‘Enterprise Challenge’ competition was created by Prince’s Trust International, a UK-based not-for-profit organisation established by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, with a range of mentoring programmes aimed at fostering opportunities for young people. Qatar Shell is the founding partner of Prince’s Trust International in Qatar, and together with Bedaya, has worked to bring the ‘Enterprise Challenge’ to Qatar.

The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Wahed Al-Hamadi, the Minister of Education and Higher Education.