Doha: The Bedaya Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (Bedaya), Qatar Development Bank’s (QDB) joint initiative with Silatech, celebrated the finals of Qatari entrepreneurs who completed a year’s training on the Activate programme, an initiative to help emerging businesses overcome challenges of the Qatari market.
Sponsored by the US State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the programme offered 12 Qatari entrepreneurs the chance to meet, communicate, and acquire practical experience from 12 corporate mentors who they chose based on the relevance of the sector, industry, mission, vision, and their services.
The programme hosted the mentors and their mentees so they could discuss current and upcoming challenges while pinpointing areas requiring further support. The entrepreneurs presented their mentors with an overview of their prospective business ideas and strategies for growth, with charts showing analysis of their business and the key driving forces governing them.
The mentors gave them first-hand information, tips and advice on how to progress their start-ups from a growing idea to a corporate entity with the potential to establish strong fundamentals in the related industry.
“We have been keen to roll out programmes and initiatives that add tangible value to the entrepreneurial spectrum in Qatar in line with the centre’s mission of accelerating the growth of the private sector to pave the way for more economic diversity. These efforts bear fruit when we link up with institutions and individuals steering the national economy and sharing the same national and commercial aspirations as us,” said Raed Al Emadi, Vice-Chairman, Bedaya Centre.
“Bedaya offers entrepreneurship and career development services in Qatar, and allows future generations to explore career tracks they would like to take by choosing career development or launching their businesses.
“Bedaya allows access to youth-related services, training programmes and activities which help them achieve their career aspirations and develop their skills, or expand their entrepreneurial talents and ambitions by launching their own businesses,” added Al Emadi.
“It constantly seeks to develop skills of young entrepreneurs and support them to succeed in realising their business ideas or move forward in the career choices that best suit their personalities. The centre’s value is manifested through the help it offers Qatari youth to reach their full potential, succeed in their choices and be proud to help realise the national vision.”
Ian McCarry, Deputy Chief of Diplomatic Mission, the US Embassy, said: “The US has always been a strong, committed partner to Qatar and its entrepreneurs to help the country achieve its vision for 2030. It is my pleasure to honour 12 young entrepreneurs who have completed the Activate programme, which will motivate them to succeed and advance their businesses to reach their goals.”
Reem Al Sowaidi, Entrepreneurs Adviser, Bedaya, said: “The programme is a unique initiative to develop and directly connect with young people of the Middle East and North Africa, while MEPI always seeks to establish vibrant partnerships to enhance social participation, plurality, and prosperity.”
The Peninsula
