Budding entrepreneurs from Qatar and MENA region are invited to apply

Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development, and Innovation, is inviting university students from Qatar and the MENA region to apply for the third edition of its Arab Innovation Academy (AIA) – the largest entrepreneurship boot-camp of its kind in the region.

A collaboration between QSTP and the European Innovation Academy (EIA), the hands-on entrepreneurship programme will introduce participants to an accelerated mode of experiential learning, including how to develop and launch a tech startup in a real marketplace with customer feedback.

According to QSTP Executive Director Yosouf Abdulrahman Saleh the first two editions of the programme proved to be outstanding successes, as demonstrated by the high level of participation from 30 countries from across the region.

The upcoming edition of the programme will provide a new batch of budding entrepreneurs with the opportunity to gain invaluable insights and guidance from leading Silicon Valley mentors and experts from the world’s top corporations, who will help aspiring participants launch their startups and market their tech products in Qatar and beyond.’

The first and second editions of the two-week startup boot-camp featured 127 and 196 entrepreneurs respectively, from Qatar and abroad, making up a total of 34 teams. The second edition of AIA also witnessed even greater participation in the programme from young Arab women. Several participants have gone on to launch successful startups after completing the programme, which aims to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue technology development and make a positive impact in the world through innovation.

EIA President Alar Kolk said that the European Innovation Academy is proud to partner with QTSP for the third edition of the Arab Innovation Academy, and to contribute to Qatar’s thriving startup ecosystem.

With the most innovative technology – including Artificial Intelligence and robotics – we are teaching entrepreneurship to students and young professionals as we truly believe that a new star will rise from Arab countries to disrupt economies and businesses in the future.

We are providing the tools, and cultivating a mindset of innovation among young people to challenge the world’s biggest problems – problems that affect one billion lives every day. Here and now is the right moment and place to create our new future.’

The EIA is the world’s largest extreme entrepreneurship programme, offering aspiring techpreneurs from across the globe the necessary support and mentorship to launch a startup in just 15 days. Deadline for application closes on 30 September 2019. AIA will kick off on 7 January 2020 and will run until 20 January.

For more information about the programme, visit inacademy.eu.