DOHA: Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has announced winners of the fourth edition of ‘Al-Fikra’ Competition for startups.
Al Fikra Competition was launched in September this year, in partnership with a number of economic and educational institutions and companies in Qatar, such as Sasol, the international integrated chemicals and energy company, as the official sponsor, and ExxonMobil Qatar as the platinum sponsor.
Other significant partners Qatar University and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) provided all the academic support for the contestants. Qatar Business Incubation Center and Bedaya Center organised the competition.
During the three months, the jury, consisting of seven dignitaries from academia, members of the business community and officials of QDB, evaluated each idea presented by the entrepreneurs throughout the competition in order to select the winning groups.
There were 200 Qatari entrepreneurs divided into 75 teams, and each team presented one idea. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of QDB, said: “The competition this year showed a great drive for innovation which demonstrates the ability of Qatari entrepreneurs to understand the market needs and its mechanisms. This success motivates us to enhance our support to entrepreneurs in Qatar and SMEs in particular. Ideas we heard during the presentations is what will drive our national economy forward.”
The first place winner Ahmed Al Meer presented the Blue Marine Farm idea, while the second Nasser Al Jaber presented the idea Pivot Solutions. The third place went to Ali Al Kaabi who presented the Gulf Studio idea, and the fourth place was won by Fatma Al Khater for the Smart Lend idea, while Mubarak Al Khulaifi team came in fifth place and the last presenting idea Football Playgrounds Reservations.
On behalf of the best team, Al Meer, said: “We want to thank QDB and the companies which made this competition possible on their trust and faith in our ideas and ability to innovate for the benefit of our society.”
PhindaVilakazi, President of GTL Ventures at Sasol, said: “Entrepreneurs are the engines of innovation, efficiency and job growth. Sasol is pleased to be main sponsor of this competition, a proving ground for Qatar’s future economic leaders. Qatar is a shining example of where ambitious ideas are put into action and made reality. We thank QDB for their leadership and wish success to all those who participated in the event.”
“At ExxonMobil Qatar, we believe one of the greatest contributions we can make is to provide the energy to drive human potential in support of a skilled and productive workforce that can sustain Qatar’s future. Such a workforce is the key to a sustainable, knowledge-based economy,” said Simon Younger, Acting President and General Manager for ExxonMobil Qatar.
“The QDB has created a great place from which young Qatari entrepreneurs can take innovation to new levels, contribute to shifting workforce demographics, and be catalysts of economic change. We are extremely pleased to be a part of the 2015 Al Fikra competition,” added Younger.
George White, professor at CMU-Q and the founder of Al Fikra competition, was honoured with the appreciation award for his effort and contribution in creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurship in Qatar.
The Peninsula
