Doha, Qatar: Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of Qatar Foundation, in partnership with TotalEnergies, has marked the start of the QSTP , TotalEnergies WaterTech Accelerator. The programme brings together a global community of founders working on innovative solutions across the water sector.
The programme officially commenced with its opening session held virtually on April 27, welcoming more than 200 startups and scale-ups from across the applicant pool. The session introduced participants to the programme journey and set the context for engagement with partners, industry stakeholders, and the wider ecosystem in the months ahead.
An expert panel featuring Sead Bajrovic, Founding Partner at Water Impact Partners; Sonia Weymuller, Co-Founder and General Partner at VentureSouq; Alina Truhina, Founding and Managing Partner at UTOPIA Capital; Iheb Triki, CEO and Co-founder of Kumulus Water; and Sami Khoreibi, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Wisewell, brought together perspectives from investment and entrepreneurship in the water and climate space.
Following these sessions, participants took part in a dedicated discussion focused on understanding Qatar’s innovation ecosystem. Delivered by representatives from QSTP, Qatar Development Bank, and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council, the session provided founders with practical guidance on company setup, funding pathways, and opportunities for collaboration within the country.
The accelerator has attracted 226 applications from 79 countries, reflecting strong global interest in water innovation. Regionally, the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region accounted for 32 percent of applications, followed by Europe at 25 percent, with further participation from North America, South Asia, and Africa. The programme also received 19 applications from within Qatar, underscoring its international reach and local engagement.
Applications span a wide range of sectors, with key areas including industrial water and wastewater, municipal water, agriculture and irrigation, smart cities and drinking water.
