The Progress of the Qatar Open Innovation Program
The Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council has reported significant progress in the Qatar Open Innovation (QOI) program, launched in 2022, to enhance partnerships between Qatar’s major enterprises and the global innovation ecosystem.
2 min
The initiative saw the launch of 46 Open Innovation Calls in cooperation with 19 local partners across essential sectors such as AI and technology, agriculture, energy and environment, healthcare, and transportation. It attracted a global response, with over 1,000 proposals submitted, making Qatar the second-highest contributor of applications.
With 1,154 innovations proposed globally, 129 of which were from Qatari companies, 11% of the total submissions, the program underscores Qatar’s commitment to fostering innovation.
Eng. Omar Al-Ansari, Secretary-General of the QRDI Council, highlighted the program’s role in creating a dynamic market for the private sector’s innovative technologies, facilitating their development in collaboration with Qatar’s large enterprises and government agencies.
The initiative aims to build technology development teams within Qatar, offering local talent opportunities in the private sector, and drawing international talent to enhance Qatar’s innovation landscape. It also provides access to groundbreaking technologies for Qatar’s key enterprises, aiding them in addressing business challenges and achieving global leadership.
So far, 20 projects have been selected for implementation, showcasing the program’s ability to translate innovative ideas into practical solutions. Among the remarkable projects is the “Digital Port & Marine Services Platform supported by Blockchain Technology,” a collaboration between Milaha and US-based Vendia to enhance maritime operations. Another project, “Smart Tools for Audio Analytics in IoT networks,” is a partnership between Ooredoo and Groundup.ai, aimed at developing a predictive model for asset failure.
These projects are a clear example of the program’s effectiveness in promoting collaborative innovation and its impact on advancing technology and environmental sustainability across vital sectors. The diversity of global and local participation, as well as the range of technical skills and talent showcased, has been praised by large local enterprise partners, who are excited about future collaborations under the Qatar Open Innovation program.
This initiative represents a joint effort to support Qatar’s innovation ecosystem, with the QRDI Council providing support, funding, and access to advanced facilities and services. It enables comprehensive evaluation and enhancement of innovative solutions in partnership with the award winners, contributing to the region’s technological progress.
The Qatar Open Innovation Program serves as a collaborative platform for startups and innovative companies to tackle open innovation challenges, connecting them with industry leaders and facilitating the pilot of novel solutions. It addresses national challenges across five priority areas: energy, health, resource sustainability, society, and digital technology, aligning with the QRDI 2030 Strategy.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
Employment grew for the 16th consecutive month as companies expanded.
2 min
According to a recent PMI report, Qatar experienced its fastest non-energy sector growth in almost two years in June, driven by surges in both existing and new business activities.
The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) headline figure for Qatar reached 55.9 in June, up from 53.6 in May, with anything above 50.0 indicating growth in business activity. Employment also grew for the 16th month in a row, and the country’s 12-month outlook remained robust.
The inflationary pressures were muted, with input prices rising only slightly since May, while prices charged for goods and services fell, according to the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) report.
This headline figure marked the strongest improvement in business conditions in the non-energy private sector since July 2022 and was above the long-term trend.
The report noted that new incoming work expanded at the fastest rate in 13 months, with significant growth in manufacturing and construction and sharp growth in other sectors. Despite the rising demand for goods and services, companies managed to further reduce the volume of outstanding work in June.
Companies attributed positive forecasts to new branch openings, acquiring new customers, and marketing campaigns. Prices for goods and services fell for the sixth time in the past eight months as firms offered discounts to boost competitiveness and attract new customers.
Qatari financial services companies also recorded further strengthening in growth, with the Financial Services Business Activity and New Business Indexes reaching 13- and nine-month highs of 61.1 and 59.2, respectively. These levels were above the long-term trend since 2017.
Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, QFC CEO, said the June PMI index was higher than in all pre-pandemic months except for October 2017, which was 56.3. “Growth has now accelerated five times in the first half of 2024 as the non-energy economy has rebounded from a moderation in the second half of 2023,” he said.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
