Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation (QF RDI) has awarded its prestigious Innovation Coupon grant to a Qatar-based edutainment project that aims to introduce children in the country and from around the world to the history and traditions of Qatar and of the Arab world.
Dew Land Productions is the brainchild of entrepreneur Nada Al-Musleh. The grant will enable Al-Musleh to expand her production to educate and entertain children using stories about various topics which emphasise Qatar’s identity, heritage and culture, as well as Arab values, morals and principles, via 3D computer-generated imagery (CGI) animations.
The first episode which caught the attention of QF RDI is a ten-minute film, Oh Yamal, featuring Dew Land’s characters Joud wa Soud®. The film highlights pearl diving as one of the most important enterprises in Qatar’s history – something young children today may know little about. Although originally created in Arabic, an English dialogue version of the episode has also been produced to introduce the topic to non-Arabic speaking children locally and abroad.
According to Al-Musleh, Oh Yamal is an important milestone for the startup, as it helped them produce a series of episodes on diverse topics that they believe need attention and must be highlighted in children’s media.
Although pearl diving is no longer a thriving industry in Qatar, it was important for our ancestors and one of the primary sources of income before the discovery of oil. Oh Yamal helps to instil this heritage in the hearts of children, as this part of our history deserves to remain alive for generations to come.
Al-Musleh also believes her company will help address a gap in the market which will be beneficial for the country moving forward. She said that their research shows that many Qatari children are not aware of the meanings of simple, yet important aspects of Qatari heritage.
She said that this demonstrates the need for creative content other than school textbooks to help children visualise certain concepts and practices. She added that the interviews and surveys they conducted with educators, parents and educational experts confirmed the clear gap in the market.
We are utilising our characters to highlight any topic in a fun way that engages children and widens their perceptions.
Innovation Coupon: Not just funding
The Innovation Coupon is highly beneficial as it provides not just funding, but also guidance, mentorship, and encouragement from experts within the QF RDI team. The team helped Al-Musleh to focus on her value proposition and allowed her to get a better understanding of how to progress with the project.
As an Innovation Coupon recipient, Dew Land benefits from being connected with other entities that are part of the QF RDI ecosystem. Just recently, the startup produced a short film for the Qatar Genome Programme, highlighting that the ecosystem is built to support early-stage startups and Qatari entrepreneurs. Since its launch in 2019, the fund has supported 24 Qatar-based projects.
Globally-recognised brand
Al-Musleh sees Dew Land becoming a globally-recognised children’s brand and growing as a unique Qatari trademark. In its own way, the startup is contributing to the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.
Offering advice and encouragement to other Qatari entrepreneurs, Al-Musleh said that they should surround themselves with like-minded people and seek advice from experts in the field and those who believe in you.
It’s a long journey with challenges throughout the way, but your dedication and passion will always get you there. Dream big and never give up!
For more information about Innovation Coupon, visit qf.org.qa.
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